‘Now she’s pregnant also’: Anjali Anand admits she compared herself to Alia Bhatt on film set; why it can trigger insecurity

“Alia ko dekh ke, I think mujhe ek hi cheez aa rahi thi (After seeing Alia, I think I could only think of one thing), that she was pregnant; we just got to know. And she was sitting right beside me. I think, six months younger than me. We are almost the same age, and I was just thinking that, you know, where I am in life and where she is in life. In this movie, I’m just starting, and she has achieved everything. And now she’s pregnant also,” she shared in a recent interview with Bollywood Bubble. 

Anjali added, “She has a husband, she has a daughter now, she has everything she could have. She has all the money, she has all the freedom, she can be whoever she wants now, she can do whatever she wants. And I’m just starting… So it’s just how different everybody’s lives are… I just hope my next 10 years, I’m there where she is right now.”

But, what causes this kind of timeline comparison, and how can individuals manage it without letting it affect their self-worth?

Shrikari, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist at Dhee Hospitals, tells indianexrpess.com, “It is completely natural to experience emotions when we see someone of a similar age achieving milestones we haven’t yet reached. This kind of timeline comparison often stems from societal narratives that define “success” by age-related benchmarks. Social media and popular culture can amplify these comparisons, even when each person’s journey is unique.”

 

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To manage this, he says, it helps to reframe the narrative, acknowledging that success is not linear and each person’s path unfolds at its own pace. Practicing self-compassion and setting personal, meaningful goals can protect self-worth. It’s also helpful to focus on internal measures of growth rather than external timelines. 

How much does financial success impact a person’s sense of autonomy and identity?

Financial security can certainly expand one’s options and ease some pressures, Shrikari says, which may be interpreted as greater ‘freedom.’ However, identity and autonomy are not solely shaped by financial standing. They also come from self-awareness, emotional grounding, and a sense of purpose.

“When comparisons arise, it helps to shift focus from outcomes to the process – the day-to-day efforts, personal growth, and small wins that shape who we become. Valuing the journey allows individuals to feel a sense of ownership over their progress, even when the external milestones look different from someone else’s,” notes Shrikari. 

How can people stay motivated and forward-looking when it feels like they’re starting much later than their peers?

Hope is a powerful emotional tool — it keeps us grounded in possibility. “Feeling like you’ve started ‘late’ is a common experience, especially in high-achievement environments, but it’s important to recognise that growth and progress can happen at any age,” stresses the expert.