Meet Our First Cover Star : Sara Tendulkar

For someone who wears many hats, it’s difficult to confine them to a single profession. And that’s what makes the multifaceted Sara Tendulkar so fascinating.

A star today cannot be simply confined to acting.  A star is someone influential, with a substantial following on social media, revered in society, and capable of making a difference while holding their ground. That person is Sara Tendulkar: young, sensitive by her own admission, joyful and gorgeous from within. Her presence brings a smile to anyone around her, evoking warmth and affection. Sara is inherently empathetic, period.

Like anyone else, she can be misunderstood. “I am reserved and take my time to open up to people. Those who don’t know me sometimes misread this as snootiness, which I believe is not true!”

Sara, who already is a powerhouse at such a young age, aspires to be a social entrepreneur. This is evident in her work with the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, a non-profit organisation that launched in 2019. One can be born to the manor and simply exist, or one can embody that privilege and still be passionate about a cause. Sara falls into the category of those who are here to make a difference and give back to society. She is also very passionate about the entrepreneurial journey that awaits her.

She is unassuming, relaxed and always wears a smile. “I love helping people. It brings me joy,” she says with the innocence of a child and the maturity of an emotionally intelligent woman. “My parents have taught me the importance of giving back to society. The Sachin Tendulkar Foundation focuses on sports, health and education for underprivileged children. These areas are close to my heart, and I consider it a privilege to be able to support the foundation’s work to the best of my abilities.”

Sara also indulges, particularly in her love for food. Which kind? What cuisines?

“EVERYTHING!” she exclaims. Her Instagram feed reflectsjoie de vivre, embracing travel, food and philanthropy. It’s refreshing to see her unapologetically enjoy her favourite comfort food from time to time, even though on the whole, she is mindful of what she eats. And while being particular about what you eat is important, a food enthusiast is often a welcome change. “Japanese cuisine has a special place on my plate. I could eat that every day! But I am open to trying all cuisines. When I am home, I love eating home-cooked food that focuses on optimal nutrition. I also do give in to temptation occasionally. But then who doesn’t?!” Sara also reveals she enjoys havingimli(tamarind) every night!

She is keenly aware of the attention on her and her family, given her father’s monumental status. However, her upbringing has instilled in her a grounded nature, respect for education, diligent work ethic and punctuality, so much so that she arrived promptly at the call time set by the production editor when everyone on set was still scavenging for their much-needed ‘caffeination’!

She has learnt a lot from her father, Sachin Tendulkar. Sara tells us that despite his phenomenal success, Sachin still gets up every morning looking forward to the next challenge. “He is extremely grounded and true to himself. These are the qualities that I admire about him.” And yes, they do reflect in Sara.

Sara also reveals that she has an extremely close bond with her brother. Her mother Anjali, who is a trained paediatrician, is her anchor and her rock. “Many of the important decisions that I have taken in my life have been guided by her advice.” She often marvels at how well her parents understand each other. “With cricket being a career that demands constant travelling, I am sure that it was difficult for them to spend so much time apart. I believe that their understanding of the circumstances and unconditionally accepting each other is what has made their relationship rock solid,” reveals Sara.

She has an affinity for fashion, evident in the sparkle in her eye when discussing her ensembles for the shoot. Trying on various couture pieces curated for her by designers like Tarun Tahiliani, Rahul Mishra, Falguni & Shane Peacock, Pallavi Mohan and Monisha Jaising didn’t seem like a chore to her... It was as if she was exploring extensions of her personality.

A glimpse at her personal style reveals who Sara truly is deep down. She doesn’t follow passing trends; instead, she lets her clothes enhance her own essence.

Minimal jewellery, paired with a beautiful interplay of dainty and statement accessories, juxtaposed with an ensemble that she is certain of. She is very clear on the silhouette, fabric, choice of designers and what makes her feel like herself. She went for a chic hairdo, minimal make-up and flattering cuts, allowing her smile beneath the muted lip shade to do the talking.

One of the most eligible bachelorettes in the country today, Sara prefers to keep her personal life under wraps. However, one can tell she’s the ultimate girl’s girl. “I love getting ready at home with my girl gang before a party! We share outfits, and advice on make-up and accessories—all while being goofy and listening to our favourite music. Sometimes this bit is more fun than the actual party!”

Despite being in the spotlight, she rarely engages with her fame. “I never thought I would be on the cover of any magazine title,” Sara mentions. Those around her recognise how refreshing her candour is. Her relationship with fame is natural, not forced. It’s the kind of popularity that comes after appearing in numerous films and having a mass media appeal. However, Sara is different. She pursued a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from University College London. After excelling academically, Sara found herself working in London and then returned to India briefly during COVID-19. She later went back to London to pursue her Master’s in Clinical and Public Health Nutrition. Currently, Sara influences over 7 million Instagram followers who turn to her for all things happy and beautiful. But what about the trolls? They are inevitable these days. She maintains a very stoic demeanour and says, “Of course, unkind comments and trolling are always upsetting, but having grown up in the public eye, I have come to understand that this is the nature of social media and often negativity is unavoidable. I don’t pay much heed and prefer to focus on the positive”.

Sara could have launched her own skincare line amidst a barrage of already-existing celebrity beauty brands, given her academic knowledge to do so. In fact, she also worked with 111 Skin in London but instead decided to become a social entrepreneur first and has entrepreneurial plans in the offing. It comes as no surprise that a major skincare brand recently announced her as their official brand ambassador. Much of her parents’ influence can be seen in her.

From the patience of a father who’s been hailed as the ‘God’ of Indian cricket to the grace of a mother who may have had to navigate being married to one of the most famous people in the country, Sara exudes silent confidence. She knows where she has come from and where she’s headed.

Creative Direction Chaiti Narula; Photographs Madhu Akula; Styling Harshad Ghadvi & Anushree Sardesai;Hair: Florian Hurel Make-up: Anu Mariya Jose; Fashion Assistants: Shaili Ajmera and Peter Tashi; Location Courtesy: Trident Hotel, Nariman Point, Mumbai; Talent Management: C&C Talent Management; Production Editor: Neha Ahuja