Jannat Zubair opens up on feeling a ‘void’ of not having friends in school: ‘Was mature enough to..’

Jannat Zubair, a household name in the Indian television and digital space, recently got candid in an interview with Pinkvilla, opening up about a deeply personal experience—growing up without real friends in school. While many associate the former child artist with early fame, glamour, and success, Jannat shared a very different reality from her school years, marked by isolation and emotional voids that continue to linger.

Reflecting on her childhood, Jannat said she felt a constant absence of genuine connection during her formative years. “I used to feel that I didn’t have enough friends in my school because I didn’t have any friends,” she said plainly, without sugarcoating the experience. Even at a young age, she could sense the difference between authentic friendship and superficial companionship. “I was mature enough by then to understand why they want to be friends with me. And this is not friendship,” she shared.

The emotional toll of this realization was heavy. Despite being surrounded by classmates, Jannat often found herself alone. She recounted how recess was particularly difficult—while other kids formed groups and bonded over lunch, she remained on the periphery. “Everyone used to tell me, you eat with us, we eat with you… but they also used to compete—either she eats with us or we eat with her,” Jannat recalled. The actress could feel that her popularity as a child artist was the reason behind this attention, not any real desire to know her as a person.

was mature enough by then to understand why they want to be friends with me. And this is not friendship

- Jannat Zubair

Jannat’s experience is a reminder of the unique challenges faced by child actors—growing up in the public eye often means missing out on simple, grounding experiences like genuine school friendships. Today, even after gaining immense popularity on TV and social media, she admits that the emotional gap from her school days still affects her.

Having started her career with shows like Phulwa and winning hearts in Tu Aashiqui, Jannat now commands a massive following online. But behind the success is a young woman who, like many others, has had to navigate loneliness, emotional maturity, and the blurred lines between admiration and affection.