I feel happier, stronger than ever before: Ileana D’Cruz
If you chance upon Ileana D’Cruz’s Instagram page, you wouldn’t give her confident bikini photographs and quotable quotes a miss. The actor, who turned a year older on November 1, was bombarded by ‘divorce’ rumours recently. But Ileana prefers being focused on her work, self-acceptance and working towards a fitter self.
Ask her what’s up, and she says, “A lot, honestly. Work has been taking over most of my life. It feels great. It’s pretty much been work, work, work for me.” Work, and working out also, it seems! For someone who struggled with body dysmorphic disorder, it’s quite a progression.
She says: “I think the series of posts that I’ve done is because of the fact that I have started to feel a lot more comfortable with where I am body-wise right now. Yes, I have been working on it, and I am happy with the result.”
The rumour mills worked overtime this year when Ileana deleted her pictures with Australian photographer Andrew Kneebone, whom she once referred to as ‘hubby’ on Instagram. They had unfollowed each other on the photosharing platform.
But the actor doesn’t want to talk about it. “I have never spoken about my personal life, for the simple reason that it’s not just about me... It will be unfair to the other person,” says the 33-year-old.
However, she adds, “I am in a great space, I’m happy and I’m super- excited about my work.”
What about the musings that she often shares on social media? Some read: “You’re not selfish for wanting to be treated well”; “The only thing I’m committed to right now, is bettering myself”; “First, it hurts. Then, it changes you.”
Ileana explains that her Instagram page is a reflection of who she is. She says, “I never meant to send out any kind of animosity or negativity. I am much bigger than that. I would never stoop to that level. If I have to say something to someone, I would pick up the phone, and not put up a post.” The actor says that she is learning what selfacceptance is all about. “I amina beautiful space. I am feeling stronger and happier than before. I am learning to love myself a little more.
That’s a good space to be in.
I feel it’s a big step for me as someone who has dealt with so many issues, body issues and stuff... I have constantly put myself down. So learning to accept myself is great,” she says.