Anjali Anand’s eyes still hold a hint of pain when she talks about her childhood. The actress, known for her roles in ‘Dabba Cartel’ and ‘Rocky and Rani’s love story’, recently opened up about a traumatic experience that has stayed with her since she was eight years old.
A dance teacher, who was like a family member, had taken advantage of her trust. He would often take her alone and make her do things that made her uncomfortable. Anjali recalls, “He’d say, ‘I’m your father,’ and I believed him because I didn’t know any better.” The abuse continued for years, with the teacher controlling every aspect of her life. He dictated what she wore, how she styled her hair, and even monitored her interactions with others.
A childhood lost
The teacher’s grip on Anjali’s life was suffocating. He wouldn’t let her wear girls’ clothes or keep her hair open. She was forced to wear his old T-shirts, making her feel like she was living in a constant state of shame. It wasn’t until her sister’s wedding, when her father’s best friend’s son showed interest in her, that the teacher’s true intentions began to unravel.
Finding solace in love
Anjali’s first boyfriend became her lifeline, helping her escape the toxic relationship with her dance teacher. She remembers feeling trapped and helpless, with the teacher waiting outside her school to pick her up every day. It was a cycle of abuse that lasted from the age of 8 to 14. Her boyfriend’s support gave her the courage to break free from the teacher’s grasp.
Anjali’s latest project, the web series ‘Dabba Cartel’, has received critical acclaim. The show, which also stars Shabana Azmi, Shalini Pandey, and Jyothika, is available on Netflix. Her next film, ‘Ban Tikki’, directed by Faraz Arif Ansari, is set to release soon, starring alongside Abhay Deol, Shabana Azmi, Zeenat Aman, and Nusrat Bharucha.
A new beginning
As Anjali looks back on her painful past, she’s grateful for the love and support that helped her heal. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of speaking out against abuse. With her upcoming film and a newfound sense of purpose, Anjali is ready to take on the world, one role at a time.