Tanishaa Mukerji on her journey, wanting to be like her mother Tanuja, and navigating fame: ‘Celebrity life is never easy’

Q. From 2003 to 2025, how would you describe your journey?

Tanishaa Mukerji: It’s been a beautiful, blessed journey, and I’m thoroughly grateful to the universe. I credit my mother for helping build my confidence as an artiste, especially in the early years. Given the legacy I come from, there’s inspiration all around. Each role has been educational in its own way. And now, with more women-led stories being told, I look forward to stronger roles.

Q. Has your career shaped up the way you imagined?

Tanishaa Mukerji: I’ve never believed in stopping. Whatever challenges came my way, I focussed on improving myself and evolving into a 360-degree artiste. I’ve respected all mediums – films, reality shows, dance shows – and done it all. There’s still a long road ahead, and I’m excited to keep going. Learning from my mistakes and growing with each step makes me proud of how far I’ve come.

Q. Do you ever regret venturing into the entertainment industry?

Tanishaa Mukerji: Absolutely not. My family, the Mukerjis, has been synonymous with the film industry. We’ve entertained people as actors, directors, and producers. Acting is in my DNA. It’s my passion, and I love every bit of it.

 

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Q. Was acting always the plan, or was it about carrying the legacy forward?

Tanishaa Mukerji: I grew up wanting to be exactly like my mom. I admired everything she did. But I didn’t think of acting as a career initially; I wanted to finish my studies first. Acting was always something I wanted to try, and thanks to my grandmother’s encouragement, I eventually did. It became a career much later. Long gaps between movies were common back then, making it harder. However, I’ve never believed in doing just one thing. I love multitasking and having my hand in many pots.

Q. In all these years, have you ever considered a change in profession?

Tanishaa Mukerji: Not at all. On the contrary, I’ve diversified within the entertainment space. I explored reality shows like Bigg Boss, Khatron Ke Khiladi, and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, all of which felt like gifts from God to push me further and improve. I’ve also done English theatre and acted in two plays. I now have my own production house and want to create and direct meaningful content. Production has always been a part of our family, so this feels like a natural extension.

Q. Once you become an actor, the spotlight never leaves. How do you handle the pressure and perks of celebrity life?

Tanishaa Mukerji: The pressure is real. From public scrutiny and constant comparisons to internal and external expectations, celebrity life is never easy. Now, we also have social media trolling adding to it. But I don’t lose sleep over what others think of me. Trolls get blocked. I focus my energy on constructive things. As for perks, there are plenty: travel, clothes, pampering, priority services, grand invitations. It’s lovely, but I always make sure to stay grounded and never take it for granted.

Dino Morea and Tanishaa Mukerji in a still from their film Sssshhh… (Photo: Express archive)

Q. With rejections, physical transformations, box office failures, and other pressures, an acting career can be mentally exhausting. How do you look after your mental health?

Tanishaa Mukerji: Mental health is crucial for everyone, not just for actors. For me, social media is only an optional fun exercise, not a necessity. Yoga, kriya, and breathwork help me keep a positive mind. I strongly believe in choosing spirituality over medication. Beyond this, I spend time with my loved ones – nieces and nephews – and dogs, and carve out some ‘me time’. I read a lot – it opens up the mind in ways beyond what one can imagine. Challenges can be hard, but these little things keep me centred.

Q. What about physical health? How do you maintain discipline with food and workouts?

Tanishaa Mukerji: For me, it’s about a disciplined, balanced, and holistic approach to physical health and diet. Not just the aesthetics, feeling strong, energised, and being mentally clear is equally important to me. Fitness is a lifestyle, not a punishment. My day starts with warm water and lime, followed by morning yoga. I always make time, at least an hour, for exercise – be it cardio, pilates, weights, cycling, and stretching. It is like my prayer; it grounds me.

When it comes to food, I prefer home-cooked meals – wholesome and comforting. I eat rice, dal, ghee, sabzi in the right portions. Fried junk food is a no. I focus on gut health, stay hydrated, and drink coconut water. I keep caffeine low, especially later in the day. And yes, seven to eight hours of good sleep is non-negotiable. My goal is consistency, not perfection.

Q. The secret to your glowing skin and hair is…

Tanishaa Mukerji: Skincare for me is about simplicity – moisturising and applying tonnes of sunblock. If it’s not simple, it can’t be done daily. I do regular facials at salons, and sometimes DIY ones using lemon and cucumber juice for tanning, and egg yolk for hair nourishment. Oiling hair is important, and I always use heat-protection cream when styling. And yes, I’m genetically blessed, but gut health and diet also play a huge role in good skin and hair.

 

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Q. One thing not many people know about you?

Tanishaa Mukerji: Well, not many people know that I love writing poetry.

Q. What is the most challenging transformation you’ve undergone for a role? How did it affect you?

Tanishaa Mukerji: For Neal ’n’ Nikki, I followed a strict low-carb, low-fat diet to get washboard abs and lost much weight quickly. But women’s bodies aren’t built to sustain such low fat, as it is essential for oestrogen production. That’s why abs are hard to maintain unless you’ve followed a certain lifestyle since childhood, like ballerinas or athletes. A flat stomach is achievable with a balanced mindset, diet, and exercise, but a visible six-pack isn’t always possible, healthy, or even natural for women.

After the shoot, I gained weight even while working out. That’s when I realised hormonal balance matters. Women can’t keep pushing through; we need to work according to our hormonal cycles. That is how we’ll be fitter and happier.