Dhanashree on her mother's viral paparazzi moment - Exclusive

In an exclusive interview with ETimes, Dhanashree Verma opened up like never before—reflecting on life after divorce, the strength she’s drawn from her family, and the challenges of navigating fame in the age of social media.

With grace and candour, the choreographer-actress spoke about rising above personal trials, online scrutiny, and how a deeply rooted sense of purpose and spirituality continue to anchor her in both her personal and professional life. Excerpts... Dhanashree opened up about navigating personal challenges, public scrutiny, and the unwavering support of her family—especially her mother, who recently went viral for praising her strength and growth post-divorce.

Reacting to the moment, she said, "My mother recently praised my hard work, and it was such a special, organic moment. We were just walking out of a store when it happened. It wasn’t planned, just something heartfelt that was captured naturally.

I usually keep my family away from the entertainment world to protect them from negativity. Why would anyone want their parents to be targeted or dragged into something they didn’t sign up for?"Her mother’s words were simple and sincere, not part of any promotional effort.

"My mother simply spoke the truth. She’s not playing any PR game; she’s just a proud mom. Some people tried to twist that moment, but I didn’t let it affect me, my family, or my work. I’ve been dealing with online noise since the beginning, right from when I first went viral doing song covers on Instagram and YouTube. People now say my fame is tied to a certain relationship, but that’s not true.

I had already built a name for myself in the industry," she added. Navigating public opinion with resilience, she chooses to stay grounded in what matters most. Dhanashree said, "Trolling and negativity are, unfortunately, part of fame. But I’ve learned to focus on what matters: my craft, my growth, and the people who genuinely support me. There will always be those who focus only on the negative, but I choose not to engage. You attract what you focus on, and I choose positivity. Whether it was before or after my divorce, my mindset hasn’t changed.

I stay focused on delivering my best work. At the end of the day, I just want to come home feeling content with what I’ve created, and that’s what keeps me going."Addressing the narratives that often surround public figures during personal transitions, she made it clear that much of what’s said doesn’t align with her reality. "The narratives circulating around me are far from the truth. None of it reflects who I am, and I don’t engage with it because I know my values, my upbringing, and the kind of person I am.

I’ve always believed in maintaining dignity and grace. Putting others down has never been my way, and it never helps anyone rise in life," she said.

For her, the focus remains firmly on her own journey. She added, "What truly matters is staying focused on your work, your intentions, and the good people around you. Self-growth, self-love, and discipline have always guided me. I believe that when you waste energy on negativity, you take away from your own growth.

I choose to put that energy into becoming better every day.""I’m a deeply spiritual person, and my faith in God and the universe keeps me grounded. At the end of the day, I believe your success, your values, and your truth will eventually speak for themselves, and that’s all that really matters," she concluded.