Dhanashree Verma has broken her silence on the hate and name-calling she faced following her divorce from Indian cricketer . The separation wasn’t without noise — memes flooded social media with many calling her a gold-digger, and public judgement followed her every move.
But Dhanashree remained steady. “It doesn’t bother me at all! I have surrounded myself with great inner strength, and I am so dedicated that my focus has always been on my work, as I have a lot of responsibilities. I have guarded myself and have built myself so strong that I just focus on my work, which will speak for everything,” she said in an interview with . “The negativity and public criticism have never really bothered me since day 1, and it will never bother me ever.”
The 28-year-old choreographer added that she now filters out anything that doesn’t serve her personal growth. “I have been working on myself even more now… I have completely changed my lifestyle and am , inner strength, discipline, exercise, good food, and surrounding myself with people who look up to me. I want to be a part of a journey that inspires people around me.”
And while her first marriage may have ended on a difficult note, her faith in love remains intact. “I will always say and believe that love is a beautiful aspect of life, and your understanding of it evolves over time… I am open to what the future holds for me, but for now, it is my career and my family that are of utmost importance to me.”
Neha Parashar, clinical psychologist at Mindtalk, tells , “Emotional resilience in the face of public criticism isn’t about becoming immune to pain, it’s about learning how to process that pain in healthy ways. One of the most powerful tools in building this resilience is self-awareness. When individuals are anchored in their values and have a clear sense of identity, external opinions tend to hold less power over their emotional state.”
Cultivating a routine that includes grounding practices, whether mindfulness, journaling, therapy, or even just time away from screens, helps create a mental buffer. In addition, reframing the narrative around public criticism (e.g., recognising that hate often says more about the speaker than the subject) can lessen its emotional impact.
Dhanashree spoke about changing her lifestyle, focusing on self-love, exercising, and surrounding herself with supportive people. “These strategies may seem simple on the surface, but they are incredibly effective because they address both the body and the mind. Exercise, for instance, is not just about physical health, it’s a proven way to regulate mood, improve sleep, and . Similarly, self-love isn’t about indulgence; it’s about treating oneself compassionately, especially during vulnerable periods,” states Parashar.
Having a supportive circle is equally critical. Parashar notes that emotional recovery is not a solitary journey; trusted relationships provide validation, perspective, and a safe healing space. “Over time, these practices help rebuild a sense of emotional safety and confidence, allowing individuals to move forward with more clarity and strength.”
