Sarkar, who moved to Kolkata to pursue acting, recalled the struggles she encountered while trying to find her footing in the entertainment industry.
An upsetting experience during an audition once left her questioning whether she belonged in the profession she had dreamed of pursuing.
The challenges did not end there. During a brand shoot, she faced criticism over her appearance, bringing back insecurities she had carried for years.
For someone who had grown up dreaming of performing in front of a camera, such experiences could have been discouraging. Yet, Sarkar's journey has since taken a turn that she describes with gratitude and pride.
Photo: PR Team
Speaking at her first community meetup in Kolkata, hosted in association with L’Oréal Paris, Sarkar reflected on how far she had come and the significance of seeing herself represented on the packaging of an international hair colour brand.
“I think it is an immense privilege and I'm very grateful to L’Oréal Paris for believing in me. They thought that I'm worth it and that's why I'm on the packaging,” she said.
For Sarkar, the moment also offered an opportunity to look back at the young girl who once dreamed of appearing in advertisements.
“When I was young, I had this red digital camera which my father bought. I used to pretend that I'm in an advertisement. I used to show off as if I was acting. For that little Preeti, I just have one thing to say that I am proud of her,” she added.
Her reflection captured the distance between the childhood dream and the person she has become today. The girl who once imagined herself in front of a camera has grown into a content creator whose work has brought her recognition and new opportunities.
Sarkar's experience also highlights the emotional toll of appearance-based criticism, particularly in industries where beauty standards can influence how people perceive themselves. Her journey, however, has reinforced a message of self-acceptance and the importance of refusing to let other people's judgments dictate one's ambitions.
Reflecting on the lessons she has learnt, Sarkar urged people to focus on building a life they can take pride in rather than allowing their choices to be shaped by the desire to prove others wrong.
“Don’t waste your life trying to prove people wrong. Just keep building a life that makes you proud. Never let someone else’s beauty standards decide how big you can dream,” she said.
Her message was rooted in her own experiences of doubt, criticism and perseverance. Rather than allowing difficult encounters to define her worth, Sarkar has chosen to embrace her journey and acknowledge the younger version of herself who continued to dream despite the challenges.
The meetup also brought Sarkar together with members of her community for interactive activities and informal conversations, creating an opportunity to connect with people beyond social media.
(Reporting by Aaheli Chakraborty, Photos by PR)