Meet The Real Ashiqui Girl
A dusky Delhi girl went to Mumbai armed with a degree in social work and caught the imagination of the ad, modeling and film world. She was catapulted to the dizzying heights of success but crash landed in a near death accident. Meet Anu Aggarwal, the Ashiqui girl, who recently released her autobiography Anusual (anusual.org). In a candid chat she talks of her journey from stardom to yoga and back to life
Your autobiography is blatantly honest and bold. What were your thoughts when you wrote the book?
My whole life has been called honest and bold. As I started to miraculously heal, I decided that my ‘do-not-say-die’ story had to be shared. I wanted to tell people that you can do the unthinkable and my life is a living example. I read up about different genres on the internet and then settled on confessional writing for Anusual.
Anu Aggrwal in her hey days caught the fancy of the entire nation
How has the journey been from stardom to yoga? What memories have stayed with you through these years?
I was so ready to leave the claptrap of glamour. Subsequently after the completion of ‘Erotica’ my last film, began the journey of self-exploration. The best didn’t seem enough. I looked for peace I longed contentment. The ‘Who Am I’ quest catapulted me into a self-imposed exile that would extend its solace wings for a couple of decades.
Post the life threatening accident what would you say helped you get back to life?
The love and support of my well-wishers, friends, and family is the main reason I am here. Apart from that brain mapping helped in the miraculous recovery. We have unlimited potential. I strongly believe in the neuroplasticity of the brain. The brain is constantly changing in response to one’s ’experiences. Trauma and physical injury too can cause the brain to grow new neural pathways, or reorganize existing ones. Yoga therapy also helped. I am a D-I-Y case, I have worked on healing myself.
Tell us more about your present work-yoga workshops
I researched extensively on yoga and then extended the research to children in low-income groups. The yoga therapy that I use is called anuFunyoga. I have been holding classes and talks on this variety of yoga across the country and abroad. I also did a funyoga class with the girls football team in Chiplun, Maharashtra.
Do you regret having given up an international modeling career?
Regrets are for losers. I find humor helps. ‘I should have done that’ feeling is far from positive. It holds you back from growth. When you can laugh at yourself you are just fine. I wanted to get out of the fake existence and find the real.
You have spoken about the prejudice for dark skin in the 80s and 90s. It still exists, what do you have to say about that?
White skin complex. That is inherently inferior. It is like saying ‘White man is better than me’. Colour prejudices are unattractive round the world. Color cannot and should not really matter. Prejudices make things ugly. Let’s look at the beauty we all possess.
Do you plan to make a comeback?
In life there is hardly a comeback. A fresh start is the reality of our lives.
What are your future plans?
Do what brings joy and maximizes human potential in people round the globe. Anu Aggarwal Foundation is in the wing. To work on anuFunyoga.
What do you think is your biggest strength?
To be able to let go and to accept the bad and the good alike.
What have you learnt from life?
You can hardly change what happens but if at all you can change how you look at it. Do not give up. Life is a celebration. Love is all there is.
