What really happens to child actors behind the camera? Why are women judged differently in Bollywood? And can an actress lose a role simply because of a few pimples?
In this episode of **The xMonks Drive**, Gaurav Arora sits down with actress **Ayesha Kaduskar** for an honest conversation about the realities of the entertainment industry, the pressures of growing up as a child actor, beauty standards, rejection, and mental health.
Ayesha shares a deeply personal experience of being rejected from a shoot because of a skin breakout during her teenage years. She also talks about witnessing children being pressured by their parents on film sets and why a child's consent matters.
The conversation explores how women face different expectations in Bollywood, why social media followers are influencing casting decisions, and how AI is changing the creative industry.
Beyond acting, Ayesha opens up about her father's passing, family support, her struggle with seeking validation, people-pleasing, journaling, relationships, and staying grounded through success and rejection.
She also shares her experience of working with Ayushmann Khurrana in Doctor G, how music helps her prepare for characters, and the emotional process behind performing difficult scenes.
**In this episode, you'll discover:**
- The reality of growing up as a child actor in India
- Why some children are pressured to perform on film sets
- Objectification and unfair beauty standards for women in cinema
- How Ayesha was rejected because of skin breakouts
- Why Instagram followers are becoming important in casting
- The growing influence of AI on the entertainment industry
- Dealing with rejection, self-doubt, and the need for validation
- How journaling helps manage negative thoughts
- The importance of family support and healthy parenting
- Working with Ayushmann Khurrana and preparing for emotional scenes
- The importance of student mental health and supportive parenting
**TIMESTAMPS**
00:00 Rapid Fire Opener
01:32 How Music Helps Her Get Into Character
03:35 Challenges Women Face in Bollywood
06:05 Objectification of Women & Cinema's Responsibility
09:27 Seeking Validation & People-Pleasing
13:37 How Journaling Helps Break Negative Thought Spirals
19:00 Family Support, Siblings & Growing Up as a Child Actor
24:52 Parenting Tips: Listening, Consent & Love
26:25 Being an Old-School Romantic
28:27 From Child Actor to Leading Actress
32:59 Managing Expectations, Failure & Rejection
36:10 Rejection, Age & Career Pressure
36:27 Why the Film Industry Is So Uncertain
38:11 Instagram Followers, AI & Casting Decisions
40:47 Ayesha Was Rejected Because of Skin Breakouts
44:39 Unrealistic Beauty Standards & Self-Worth
46:26 Why Ayushmann Khurrana Is Her Favourite Co-Actor
47:37 Audition Rejections & Building Resilience
50:00 How Actors Cry on Camera: Her Emotional Acting Process
52:39 Dream Roles & Actors She Wants to Work With
55:33 School Life, Judgment & Growing Up Famous
59:15 Student Mental Health & Pressure From Parents
01:00:57 Upcoming Projects & Preparing for New Characters
01:03:44 Closing Thoughts
**About Ayesha Kaduskar**
Ayesha Kaduskar is an Indian actress who started her acting career as a child artist. She has worked across television, films, and digital entertainment, including Doctor G alongside Ayushmann Khurrana. Her journey offers a unique perspective on the emotional and professional realities of acting.
**About The xMonks Drive**
Hosted by Gaurav Arora, ICF Master Certified Coach and founder of xMonks, The xMonks Drive features meaningful conversations about life, personal growth, leadership, relationships, and the experiences that shape us.
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vdhTjZlhltIt4e9YiBgMF?si=92853a15e3584866
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-xmonks-drive/id1549886334
Website: https://xmonks.com