When it comes to celebrities, their decisions matter a lot, says actor Srushti Mishra. The actor, who is currently seen in Ram Bhavan, adds that celebrities influence the audiences today in many ways.
“I think people, especially the youth, often look up to celebrities mostly for fashion and lifestyle, because that’s the most visible part of their lives. We constantly see where they go, what they wear, especially on social media. It’s all out there. We end up observing what outfits they choose, where they vacation, how they live. So it’s only natural to get influenced, especially if someone has great styling and you feel your own sense is lacking. And I think that’s okay,” she says.
She adds, “Getting inspired, improving your fashion sense, that’s a positive thing. But there’s a big difference between being influenced and blindly copying. I don’t think I’ve ever completely copied any celebrity, nor have I been inspired by them in terms of lifestyle and fashion." What really inspires me, more than clothes or looks, is their mindset. Many of them are able to handle mature and tough situations, especially negativity, with such grace and calmness. That cool mindset really impresses me.”
Talking about how she is inspired by her favourite celebrities, she says, “I haven’t made any big decisions like changing my haircut or blindly following a trend just because a celeb did it. I’ve been inspired in terms of their mindset and how cool they stay even in the face of negativity. That inspires me. Celebrities often stay fit because their body is literally part of their profession. Even after long, exhausting shoots, they still manage to make time for fitness and follow their diet. That level of discipline is something I aspire to.”
Talking about what being a celebrity truly means, Srushti says that there are some privileges and pressures that come with fame, even in its early stages. “I’m not a celebrity in the conventional sense yet, but I understand that being a celebrity is not just about fame and the spotlight. Their personal life is always on display, and there’s constant pressure to stay positive because people follow them, look up to them, even copy them. There’s a responsibility that comes with visibility. What really hits me is how one small fan moment can become a lifelong memory for someone. If a celebrity greets a fan warmly, it can be a life-changing moment for that person,” she says.
She adds, “But if the celeb is in a bad mood or emotionally unavailable, even unintentionally, and doesn’t respond well, that can completely change how the fan sees them. That’s the tough part. You’re expected to be emotionally available all the time, always smiling, always greeting, even when you’re not in the right headspace. That’s the flip side of it, the emotional exhaustion, the constant pressure to be ‘on,’ even when you’re feeling drained.”
She says that your private space is no longer secure. “You form a bond with your audience, and people feel personally connected to your life. Your private space becomes limited. I haven’t had a lot of these experiences yet since I’m still growing in my journey. But yes, there have been a few, maybe two or three, where someone came to meet me as Ragini (my character), appreciated her, and then realized I’m actually a lot like her in real life, humble and grounded. That felt really special. I’m still at the beginning, but I definitely want to experience more of these moments and above all, I want to be someone who spreads positivity through my work and how I carry myself,” she says.
