Actress Aanchal Khurana, known for projects like MTV Roadies, Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke, Zindagi Ki Mehek, Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2, and Mujhse Shaadi Karoge, is embracing solo living long before it became a social media trend. At a time when more people are celebrating the idea of travelling, dining, and exploring life alone, Aanchal says she has already been living that reality for nearly a decade. Speaking candidly about solitude, loneliness, emotional strength, and safety, the actress shared a refreshingly honest perspective on what it truly means to be on your own.

While solo travelling and self-dates have recently become popular online, Aanchal revealed that she began doing things alone years ago, not out of choice initially, but because life naturally changed around her. “People have started embracing the idea of doing things solo now, but I’ve been doing this for the last seven or eight years,” she shared. “Most of my friends got married and formed their own circles. Since they were not from the industry and were based in Delhi, our lives became very different.”

The actress added that she slowly got used to watching films alone, dining by herself, and travelling solo. “I’ve been watching films alone since 2014 or 2015. I only go alone now,” she said, adding that what appears to be a modern lifestyle trend today has actually been her reality for years.

One of Aanchal’s most memorable solo experiences was a birthday trip to Rishikesh earlier this year. The journey, she says, became a turning point. “In 2025, I went to Rishikesh alone on my birthday. That trip made me realize I should start sharing my solo travel experiences online and speak honestly about my thoughts,” she revealed.

The actress began posting reels from the trip on social media, and the response surprised her. According to Aanchal, many women connected deeply with her content and found inspiration in her honesty. “A lot of girls were motivated by those videos,” she said. “And honestly, this journey is not ending anytime soon. Until I find a good partner, I’m going to continue doing things solo.”

Aanchal also addressed the common belief that people avoid solo experiences because they fear being judged by society. According to her, for women especially, the concern is far more practical. “I don’t think people hesitate because of judgement. Women hesitate because of safety reasons, because it genuinely isn’t safe,” she said honestly.

The actress shared how careful she remains while travelling alone. From planning her bookings properly to travelling only during the daytime, she makes conscious decisions to stay safe. She even revealed that she dresses conservatively while driving alone to avoid unwanted attention. “As for being judged, the world judges you no matter what you do,” she added. “Deep down, everybody wants to experience solo life in some way. Not everyone has the courage or capacity to do it.”

Interestingly, Aanchal doesn’t romanticize solitude the way social media often does. While many influencers describe solo travel as deeply healing and emotionally transformative, the actress believes reality is far more complicated. “People say spending time alone helps you grow emotionally and mentally, but honestly, I think social media has turned it into a myth,” she said.

According to her, travelling with loved ones will always feel more emotionally fulfilling than being alone. However, she also admitted that modern life has become increasingly isolating. “When you don’t really have people around anymore, it’s still better to travel alone than sit at home feeling lonely,” she explained.

For Aanchal, there is a clear distinction between enjoying solitude and suffering from loneliness. The actress described herself as someone who genuinely enjoys her own company. “I like being alone and staying in my room,” she shared. “I’m a complete TV-holic. I watch OTT content all the time, especially Pakistani shows.”

Her comfort with solitude, however, doesn’t come from confidence alone. Instead, she believes it comes from resilience. “Being solo is not a sign of confidence or self-awareness,” Aanchal stated. “It’s a sign of strength.”

The actress elaborated that living alone forces a person to face everything independently — emotional struggles, heartbreaks, and financial stress — without relying on constant support from others. “You deal with everything on your own. And once you learn to handle life alone, there’s no looking back,” she said. “In fact, after a point, you may not even like living with people anymore.”