MUMBAI: On International Youth Day, actress Chaitali Kohli shared reflections on the advice she wishes she had received earlier and the challenges facing young people today. Kohli, who has appeared in projects including Crew, Khauff, Single Papa and Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors, spoke about self-belief, the dangers of constant comparison and the need to treat social media as a tool rather than a controlling force.

Looking back on her career, Kohli said she would encourage her younger self to ease the demand for perfection. “I would tell my younger self to stop chasing perfection and start believing in herself a little sooner. It’s okay if your journey doesn’t look like everyone else’s. Every rejection, every delay and every setback is preparing you for something bigger. Keep learning, stay kind and don’t be afraid to take risks. Most importantly, don’t compare your Chapter 2 with someone else’s Chapter 20. Your time will come if you stay consistent,” she said.

The actress identified the pressure to keep pace with peers as the central difficulty for the current generation. Careers, relationships, finances and social media all contribute to a sense that success must arrive immediately. “I think the biggest challenge today is the constant pressure to keep up. Whether it’s careers, relationships, money or social media, everyone feels like they have to achieve everything instantly. We often forget that success isn’t a race. It’s important to focus on building skills, taking care of your mental well-being and growing at your own pace instead of constantly seeking validation from others,” Kohli said.

Social Media as Tool, Not Master

Kohli addressed the expanding role of social media in young people’s lives. She argued the platforms themselves are not inherently harmful; the issue lies in how users engage with them. As someone who creates content, she acknowledged the opportunities for learning, connection and professional visibility. At the same time, she warned against allowing curated online images to replace offline experience.

“Social media itself isn’t the problem—it’s how we choose to use it. As someone who creates content, I know it can be an incredible platform for opportunities, learning and connecting with people. But it becomes unhealthy when it starts replacing real life,” she said. She added that boundaries are essential: users should monitor what they consume, follow accounts that inspire rather than diminish self-worth, and remember that online posts represent only a selective portion of anyone’s life. Genuine growth and happiness, she said, still come from real-world experiences. “Social media should be a tool that serves us, not something that controls us.”

Context of a Working Actress’s Perspective

Kohli’s comments arrive as many young professionals in entertainment and other fields confront similar tensions between public visibility and private development. Her own credits span commercial films and streaming series, placing her among performers who navigate both traditional and digital audiences. The emphasis on consistency over comparison reflects a recurring theme among mid-career actors who have experienced uneven progress before finding steadier work.

International Youth Day, observed each year on August 12, provides a formal occasion for such reflections. Kohli’s remarks focus less on policy or systemic solutions and more on individual mindset and daily habits. She framed setbacks as preparatory rather than purely negative and stressed kindness and continuous learning as practical anchors.

Also Read: Aanchal Dubey: "I'm The Same On-Screen As Off-Screen" on 'Bhojpuri Bawaal' Debut

MUMBAI: On International Youth Day, actress Chaitali Kohli shared reflections on the advice she wishes she had received earlier and the challenges facing young people today. Kohli, who has appeared in projects including Crew, Khauff, Single Papa and Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors, spoke about self-belief, the dangers of constant comparison and the need to treat social media as a tool rather than a controlling force.

Looking back on her career, Kohli said she would encourage her younger self to ease the demand for perfection. “I would tell my younger self to stop chasing perfection and start believing in herself a little sooner. It’s okay if your journey doesn’t look like everyone else’s. Every rejection, every delay and every setback is preparing you for something bigger. Keep learning, stay kind and don’t be afraid to take risks. Most importantly, don’t compare your Chapter 2 with someone else’s Chapter 20. Your time will come if you stay consistent,” she said.

The actress identified the pressure to keep pace with peers as the central difficulty for the current generation. Careers, relationships, finances and social media all contribute to a sense that success must arrive immediately. “I think the biggest challenge today is the constant pressure to keep up. Whether it’s careers, relationships, money or social media, everyone feels like they have to achieve everything instantly. We often forget that success isn’t a race. It’s important to focus on building skills, taking care of your mental well-being and growing at your own pace instead of constantly seeking validation from others,” Kohli said.

Social Media as Tool, Not Master

Kohli addressed the expanding role of social media in young people’s lives. She argued the platforms themselves are not inherently harmful; the issue lies in how users engage with them. As someone who creates content, she acknowledged the opportunities for learning, connection and professional visibility. At the same time, she warned against allowing curated online images to replace offline experience.

“Social media itself isn’t the problem—it’s how we choose to use it. As someone who creates content, I know it can be an incredible platform for opportunities, learning and connecting with people. But it becomes unhealthy when it starts replacing real life,” she said. She added that boundaries are essential: users should monitor what they consume, follow accounts that inspire rather than diminish self-worth, and remember that online posts represent only a selective portion of anyone’s life. Genuine growth and happiness, she said, still come from real-world experiences. “Social media should be a tool that serves us, not something that controls us.”

Context of a Working Actress’s Perspective

Kohli’s comments arrive as many young professionals in entertainment and other fields confront similar tensions between public visibility and private development. Her own credits span commercial films and streaming series, placing her among performers who navigate both traditional and digital audiences. The emphasis on consistency over comparison reflects a recurring theme among mid-career actors who have experienced uneven progress before finding steadier work.

International Youth Day, observed each year on August 12, provides a formal occasion for such reflections. Kohli’s remarks focus less on policy or systemic solutions and more on individual mindset and daily habits. She framed setbacks as preparatory rather than purely negative and stressed kindness and continuous learning as practical anchors.

Also Read: Aanchal Dubey: "I'm The Same On-Screen As Off-Screen" on 'Bhojpuri Bawaal' Debut