Exclusive: Sameera Reddy recalls childhood struggles and strict no-phone policy for kids, says, "I grew up with a stammer, experienced bullying..."

Exclusive: Sameers Reddy recalls childhood struggles and strict no-phone policy for kids, says, "I grew up with a stammer, experienced bullying..."

• Sameera Reddy emphasizes emotional well-being in kids' education
• She supports P&G Shiksha's #EraseTheLearningGap 2026 initiative
• Reddy urges genuine parenting and mindful social media use

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Bollywood actress Sameera Reddy recently opened up about the deeper meaning of education, the responsibility of social media influence, and the values she hopes to instil in her children. Speaking about her association with P&G Shiksha’s #EraseTheLearningGap 2026 initiative with Moneycontrol, the actor reflected on how education today must go beyond academics and focus on emotional well-being and confidence building among children.

Sameera Reddy, who has been vocal about parenting and social awareness through her social media platforms, believes that education must prepare children for life, not just exams.

“For me, education goes far beyond books or formal schooling. It includes emotional awareness, financial understanding, and mental health education. A child can be attending school regularly and still struggle silently, academically or emotionally,” she said.

The actor also spoke about her own childhood experiences and how they shaped her perspective on the importance of emotional support in learning environments.

“I grew up with a stammer and experienced bullying, so I understand how deeply labels and negative experiences can shape self-belief. That’s why I believe education must also nurture emotional strength. When children are confident in their learning, they are also more likely to communicate openly, treat others with respect, and navigate challenges positively,” she explained.

Highlighting why she connected strongly with the campaign, Sameera added, “This is exactly why P&G Shiksha’s 2026 initiative resonates so strongly. By focusing on early identification of learning gaps and structured support, it ensures that children feel capable, not inadequate. When children experience learning as a positive, inclusive process, it shapes how they interact with the world academically, socially, and emotionally.”

Sameera also spoke about how vlogging and social media have helped her connect more authentically with audiences while advocating meaningful causes.

“Social media comes with responsibility. Today, public figures and influencers have millions of young people listening to them. That kind of reach comes with accountability,” she said.

“Vlogging has made me more authentic and more connected to people. When you share your real journey, including the imperfect moments, audiences relate to that authenticity. It gives me the opportunity to amplify meaningful initiatives and encourage conversations around education, confidence, and emotional well-being. When I speak about learning gaps or confidence as a mother, it comes from actual experience, which makes the conversation more relatable.”

Opening up about motherhood, Sameera shared how parenting has changed her perspective and made her more intentional in how she raises her children.

“Motherhood has made me more conscious and intentional. I believe strongly in showing up every single day. I spend a lot of time simply conversing with my children and follow a strict no-phone policy during most of the time I spend with them after school. Investing in them doesn’t mean enrolling them in endless classes, it means creating meaningful conversations and calm memories,” she said.

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She also emphasised the importance of understanding children’s emotional and academic struggles early.

“Motherhood is all about children, but also being attentive to hidden or invisible signs. Academically, we emphasise effort and consistency over perfection. Learning should build confidence, not fear. Just like we understand from the recent stats – about 74% of parents perceive early learning struggles as just a phase, underestimating the long term risks to a child’s future. That’s why this awareness initiative around Erasing the learning gap is so powerful – it educates parents and adults to be more aware.”

“Above all, we focus on awareness rather than pressure, whether it’s about food, habits, or learning. Confidence grows when children feel supported, not compared,” she added.

Sameera Reddy made her Bollywood debut with the film Maine Dil Tujhko Diya and went on to feature in several popular films including Musafir, Taxi No. 9211, De Dana Dan and Race. Known for her versatility across Hindi and South Indian cinema, she has also worked in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films. In recent years, Sameera has gained a strong following on social media through her honest conversations about parenting, body positivity and mental well-being.