Sara Tendulkar on health, healing, and keeping it real online

Being in front of the camera can be unnerving. Sometimes, it reminds one of all the “flaws” that the mind has convinced one suffers from. At others, it nudges the quiet realisation that the photograph will be seen, dissected, saved, and shared by anyone and everyone with access to a Wi-Fi connection. But, how does the mind work when camera flashes and the love to-hate-them paparazzi brigade has been a way of life? Enter Sara Tendulkar— the 28-year-old, mild mannered biomedical scientist, nutritionist, and health entrepreneur. It wouldn’t be wrong to call her a social media personality, too, considering a following of 8.7 million (at the time of going to press) on Instagram, and brand deals that include associations with Tourism Australia and Cetaphil India. Beyond the multiple hyphens in her credentials, Tendulkar is aware that her surname often precedes any conversation about her.

She is the daughter of cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, a fact that brings with it much curiosity: “Honestly, my brother (cricketer Arjun Tendulkar) and I had very normal childhoods. Pop culture and digital media weren’t huge then. Now, yes, it’s more challenging— whenever we step out, there’s a camera. Even on bad days, you need to keep your composure. So, those kinds of things can be a little bit stressful at times. However, having the surname that I do obviously comes with certain privileges which outweigh these limitations. I do think that it opens multiple doors and creates so many more opportunities in life that I’m very grateful for,” she says, with refreshing candour. “And, if I look at it in an extremely positive way, it has given me the platform to use my influence for causes that really matter. So, my voice is much more amplified because of that, especially with the foundation that I work for, with my parents. That is something truly special, makes a big impact, and helps me contribute in a much more meaningful way,” she adds. Sara is referring to the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, where she works as the director. The foundation works across sports, health, and education sectors, focusing on the upliftment of children with disadvantaged backgrounds.

Meanwhile, she further builds on this politics of name and identity, touching on the scrutiny that accompanies the popularity: “And, even if there is this unspoken expectation to live up to the name— it really pushes you to work harder and to keep proving yourself on your own merit.”

Styling authenticity

While shooting for the cover of Cosmopolitan India’s November-December issue, on a sunny afternoon in the coastal town of Alibaug, Tendulkar is acutely aware of her surroundings, even as a constant smile and sweet demeanour laces each conversation. This interview, taken a few days before the shoot, was done amid her travels, and she was keen to share a sense of discovery, freedom, and ease that travelling offered her. She recalls stories of thrift stores and noticing new-age street style, and being able to expand her own idea of fashion, which she admits, is still new. “My personal style is comfortable and classic. Growing up, I liked fashion, but not obsessively—my friends saved Tumblr fashion boards; I was more of a skincare-and-science girl. Now, the profession demands a bit more fashion awareness, and I’ve grown to enjoy it. I recently visited a vintage store in Japan for the first time and loved it. It opened up a new world—sustainable ways to shop and add unique pieces to my wardrobe,” she says, adding that like many from her generation, she hasn’t bought into the idea of idolising. “I don’t really follow particular people for fashion. I just wear what feels right for me. I appreciate good style when I see it, but I don’t idolise any one fashion personality,” she adds, noting that if she had to mention one brand she admires, it would be Australian luxury fashion house Zimmerman, that she also wore to her graduation day at UCL (University College London).

Fashion may not be her favourite topic or consideration, but thanks to the fan following she enjoys, it’s no surprise that there are multiple Instagram pages documenting her fashion closely. Like a Maje Paris monochromatic dress she wore to a brand event, a cute Loewe midi for the Wimbledon Championship, or a Runaway The Label (also an Australian brand) dress to celebrate her birthday—with a side of Chanel, Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels. It’s a curious mix of luxury and niche, much like Gen Z’s love for individualism over monograms. It’s also a way of life that Tendulkar vouches for: “I really love how unapologetic Gen Z is. There’s just this confidence that generation has. And I say that generation because I don’t feel like I relate too much to it (at 28, she is somewhat at the cusp). But yeah, I do think they’re extremely confident with the way they express themselves, whether it’s through fashion, social media or the causes that they stand for. There is some sort of comfort in being true to who you really are, without trying to fit into a box, which is something I admire. And, I’m trying to work towards being more like that.”

The right moves

While style is one aspect of being Sara Tendulkar, another is health, and it is not only to do with her academic background. “For me, fitness isn’t something that is very easy to maintain on an everyday basis because I travel a lot and my lifestyle varies from day to day. But, since I was a child, both my brother and I were encouraged to stay healthy. My mother (Anjali Tendulkar) is a doctor, and my father is an athlete—so topics like health, fitness, and wellness have always been part of dinner table conversations,” she says, adding: “For my brother, it’s essential to his profession, he plays cricket. So, my parents have always encouraged both of us to stay active. It has become a part of who we are today. Movement has been built and inculcated into our routine, whether it’s going to the gym, just taking a walk or adding any kind of physical activity into our everyday lives. For us, it’s not really about being perfect or achieving any kind of aesthetic goals. It’s just more about what makes us feel better, energised, and happy.”

In August, she turned businesswoman when she unveiled Pilates Academy X Sara Tendulkar at Andheri, Mumbai, expanding the popular Dubai franchise. “Interestingly, my 86-year-old grandmother started Pilates last year and it’s improved her balance hugely. Pilates works for all ages because it’s low-impact. You don’t injure your joints or muscles easily. I had a back injury when I was 14 or 15 years old after I lifted something incorrectly, and Pilates really helped reduce that pain. Cardio used to worsen it, but Pilates made me feel stronger and pain-free,” she says, adding: “I started Pilates in London, and when I moved back to Mumbai, I trained at the Pilates Academy. It grew on me so much that when they started franchising, it just felt like the natural next step. Now, beyond physical fitness, the academy is about community: Creating a space where people feel connected, energised, and supported.”

Stepping out, stepping in

As the conversation veers towards this sense of community-building, there is also talk of the community that rests online, and along with it, the heft of “influence” and pressures of “traction.” Tendulkar acknowledges the challenges that come with online brand-building. When asked how she navigates them, and if she is able to set social media boundaries, she says: “I’m lucky that in my formative years, social media wasn’t big. Now, of course, it’s hard—everything looks perfect online: Bodies, skin, hair, everything. It can make you question yourself. But, you have to remember it takes a whole village to make someone look that way—and there’s a lot of editing involved. Real life relationships help me stay grounded and true to myself. Balancing things out, not getting carried away, helps me.”

Balance seems to be the key here, and it is among the many learnings she wants to carry into the next year. “I really believe that there’s no growth in your comfort zone. There’s a fine line between pushing yourself and pushing yourself too far. So, just do it enough to be able to grow at the same time, nourish yourself and your mental, physical, spiritual health,” she says, adding that the biggest takeaway from the past few years has been the importance of slowing down, being present in the moment, and appreciating the small things in life. “In the coming year, I would possibly want to focus on growth, both personally and professionally, which is by going out of my comfort zone and really continuing to create space for things that bring me joy, peace, and happiness. Manifesting health, balance, deeper connections, opportunities that align with who I am and what I value. Basically, wishing all good things for 2026—not just for me, but for everyone.”

Cosmo Quiz (Winter Edit!)

1. Describe your shoot with Cosmopolitan.

Young, fun and vibrant!

2. What’s your guilty pleasure in winter?

Lasagna! It’s so wholesome and hearty and it exudes a lot of warmth and cosy vibes.

3. Moving on from comfort food, do you have a winter ritual you follow?

When I lived in London which was obviously very cold, my granny had gifted me a hot water bottle which I would often use to snuggle up on my couch...and basically be a granny myself.

4. What are you manifesting for 2026, especially for women who are at the core of Cosmo?

For myself, I am manifesting the ability to let go of old habits and having more positive people around me— those who lift me up. And, for women, I would love for them to not be afraid to own a room, be themselves and always speak their mind.

Editor and Interview: Snigdha Ahuja (@snigdha.ahuja)
Photographer: Taras Taraporvala (@taras84)
Stylist: Divyak D’Souza (@divyakdsouza)
Cover Design: Mandeep Singh Khokhar (@mandy_khokhar19)
Makeup and Hair Artist: Kiran Denzongpa (@kirandenzongpa) represented by Feat. Artists (@featartists)
Editorial Coordinator: Shalini Kanojia (@shalinikanojia)
Style Assistants: Brinda Patel (@fusionandfashion07) and Khushi Bhatia (@khushi46)
Hair and Makeup Artist Assistant: Karchung Gurung (@karchung_gurung_)
Location Courtesy: Isprava (@isprava)

On Sara: Midnight Muse classic jacket, Noir Whisper camisole, and Shadow Bloom tulle skirt from the Dream In Rose pret collection, ROSEROOM by Isha Jajodia (@roseroom__official); earrings, Ishhaara (@ishhaara); rings, Ishhaara (@ishhaara) and Radhika Agrawal Jewels (@radhikaagrawalstudio).