Growing up as the daughter of two well-known public figures comes with attention, but it can also bring relentless scrutiny. Anandita Sundar, daughter of actor-politician Khushbu Sundar and filmmaker-actor Sundar C, has spent much of her life in the spotlight despite not actively seeking it. Over the years, social media users have commented on everything from her appearance to her weight, often forgetting that she was still a teenager reading those remarks.
In a recent podcast appearance, Anandita opened up about the trolling she has endured since childhood. She also addressed the speculation surrounding her dramatic weight-loss transformation, making it clear that years of hard work—not shortcuts or medication—were responsible for the change.
Anandita Says Her Transformation Took Years, Not Months
Speaking candidly about her fitness journey, Anandita explained that both she and her elder sister Avantika struggled with weight issues while growing up. According to her, they were always chubby children, but health concerns later pushed them to make serious lifestyle changes.
What frustrates her most, however, is the assumption that her transformation happened overnight. Anandita revealed that she began actively working on her health around 2018 or 2019, meaning the process has taken nearly seven years.
“I think a lot of people don’t realise, it wasn’t sudden. I started losing weight in 2018 or 2019. So, it took me seven years to get here. There was also COVID, so no one saw that we were losing weight. My first drastic weight loss was over three years, during COVID. Everyone’s like, oh my god, she’s done this, she’s done that, she’s gotten surgery. But y’all haven’t seen us. How do you decide?”
Her comments highlight a growing issue on social media where people often make assumptions based solely on before-and-after photos without understanding the years of discipline that may have gone into a physical transformation.
“The Hate Will Never Stop”
Anandita also spoke about the emotional impact of online criticism and how she eventually learned to stop allowing it to define her. While many people now accuse her of using medications such as Ozempic or Mounjaro, she says she has reached a point where such claims no longer affect her the way they once did.
“Now people see me, they’re like, Ozempic, Mounjaro…I laugh about it because they make up stories. I realised that the hate will never stop…it will never stop. I never lost the weight to please other people. But to get that ungodly amount of hate at that age, no one realised we’re talking to a child. I was 15 years old, my parents were celebrities, not me. Why do you feel entitled to tell me how ugly I am?”
The statement reflects a reality faced by many celebrity children who become targets of public commentary despite not choosing a life in front of the camera. Anandita’s words also underline how easily online criticism can cross the line from opinion into personal attacks.
Her mother, Khushbu Sundar, has dealt with similar speculation herself. Last year, the actor publicly denied claims that she had used Mounjaro to aid her own weight-loss journey, pushing back against assumptions made online.
A Career Built Behind the Camera
While Anandita is often discussed because of her famous family, she has been quietly building her own career in the film industry. Unlike many star kids who pursue acting, she has chosen to work primarily behind the scenes.
During the podcast, Anandita described herself as a “privileged and cocooned” child who nevertheless chose a demanding career path. She revealed that she worked with acclaimed filmmaker Mani Ratnam during the post-production phase of Ponniyin Selvan 2, gaining valuable industry experience early in her career.
She was also expected to work as an assistant director on Thug Life. However, a fractured ankle forced her to step away from the project before she could fully participate. Interestingly, Anandita revealed that the injury became one of the reasons she became even more focused on improving her overall health and fitness.
Her experiences working on large-scale productions appear to have strengthened her commitment to filmmaking rather than discouraged it.
Anandita Is Gradually Making Her Mark in Cinema
The young filmmaker recently added another milestone to her growing résumé by making her debut as a creative producer. She worked on Double Occupancy, directed by Aswin Kandasamy and backed by producers Khushbu Sundar and ACS Arun Kumar.
The film was released in theatres on June 12 and marked an important step in Anandita’s professional journey. Rather than relying solely on her family’s legacy, she appears focused on establishing her own identity within the industry through creative and production work.
Her schedule remains busy as well. Anandita is currently associated with Meesaya Murukku 2, the sequel to Hiphop Tamizha Adhi’s popular 2017 semi-autobiographical film. The project is expected to be one of the notable Tamil releases in development.
For Anandita, the conversation today may revolve around her weight-loss transformation and her response to trolls, but her long-term focus seems firmly rooted in filmmaking. And if her recent comments are any indication, she has learned an important lesson from years of public scrutiny: no matter what you do, someone will always have an opinion. The challenge is deciding whose opinion actually matters.
