HELLO! India Exclusive: Sara Tendulkar bats on the front foot

For Sara Tendulkar, there’s no such thing as a “typical day” in her life — every morning is steeped in wellness,  philanthropy, entrepreneurship, fashion, and beauty, all forming alliances in various degrees. This unpredictability,  she says, is both thrilling and fulfilling, made possible largely thanks to the privilege she wears on her sleeve with much gratitude. 

“Whether it’s visiting remote districts across India for our foundation, heading overseas for shoots, or working on entrepreneurial ventures, I’m incredibly privileged to be able to travel so much for work,” shares the 28-year-old deeply spiritual woman, who’s rooted in rituals that keep her grounded, quality time with family and finding quiet moments for introspection foremost among them.

Born to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar — the holder of innumerable records for his cricketing prowess — and Dr Anjali Tendulkar, a paediatrician by profession and Co-Founder of the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, hers is a surname known the world over. While one parent instills in her the importance of hard work, drive, and discipline, the other teaches her attention to detail, logic, and the ability to lead with empathy.

"They shape the way I navigate both success and uncertainty,” Sara smiles. “Growing up, they were strict when it came to values, manners, behaviour, humility, and treating people with respect. They never imposed their expectations on us and encouraged both me and my brother to pursue our own dreams.”

THE PRESSURES OF PRIVILEGE

A shared understanding of the weight of their cognomen is one of the many reasons that keeps Sara close with her younger brother — cricketer Arjun Tendulkar, who plays for Goa in the Ranji Trophy and Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League. A safe space for each other, they grew up in the spotlight even before the omnipresence of social media and the frenetic paparazzi culture, and had to learn to separate their identity from public perception.

"Siblings understand the unspoken pressure of this kind of scrutiny,” she explains. “Only they can pick up on small cues, moments of discomfort, anxiety, or emotional exhaustion without needing words. There’s a comfort in having someone who has witnessed the same reality as you, someone who understands the privilege and pressure.”

As close as she is with everyone in the family, Sara is a mumma’s girl when life gets overwhelming and she’s in dire need of advice. She also doesn’t take for granted the childhood friends who grew up with her “long before any public perception existed.” “People of my generation still had a degree of shelter and privacy. The younger ones today are growing up in an environment where self-worth can easily become tied to public approval, which can be emotionally exhausting.”

AUTHENTICITY OVER CURATION

In an age where influence can feel performative, Sara favours authenticity — whether it’s stepping out in casual clothes, speaking honestly, or behaving naturally before the camera.

“I’ve never been extremely comfortable being photographed or constantly having to ‘perform’ for an audience. The more you try to create a version of yourself for the world outside, the more disconnected you become from who you actually are,” she asserts. So much so that this discerning tastemaker has been quite selective about the brands she associates with, not one to accept every collaboration that comes her way. It’s credibility over visibility, principles over feigned relevance.

“Audiences today are incredibly perceptive and can sense when something feels forced or transactional. I try not to endorse a product I wouldn’t use myself, ones that don’t align with my values, or ones that could negatively impact my health.” A certified nutritionist with a newly opened Pilates Academy in Mumbai, her interest in well-being and nutrition stems from both academics and passion. Having become conscious of her health since her PMOS (formerly PCOS) diagnosis in school, wellness isn’t about trends to Sara, but a sum of everyday choices that are rooted in long-term health, prevention, and quality of life.

“My diagnosis pushed me to understand how deeply lifestyle, nutrition, hormones, and mental well-being are all  interconnected,” says Sara, who has a Master’s in Clinical and Public Health Nutrition from University College London.  Today, she extends this zeal for healthcare to adolescents and expecting mothers through the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation. Here, she’s involved with initiatives across health, sports, and education — verticals she approaches with an integrative approach — focussed on remote rural areas, where issues like child marriage, early pregnancy, and lack of access to education are rampant.

“Seeing young girls become empowered through education, sports, and healthcare has been incredibly emotional,” Sara 
reflects. “Watching them graduate, secure government jobs, get accepted into prestigious universities, and ultimately uplift their families feels like a personal victory.”

AN INNATE SENSE OF SELF

The age of online inspections comes hand in hand with unrealistic beauty standards and constant comparisons. Even the most headstrong fall prey to the idea of “achieving perfection.” Sara, though, has moved past these exhausting, superficial benchmarks. “The more comfortable I became with myself, the less interested I was in fitting into impossible standards. Confidence comes from self-acceptance rather than perfection,” she stresses, also admitting that there are days “when the pressure gets to me.” Understated and effortless could be a straightforward overview of Sara’s aesthetic, rooted in her belief that “beauty is not skin-deep.”

“Simplicity is underrated. You don’t need 100 products or extreme routines. Consistency and balance matter far more t h a n believe There obsessed with her Aur Babli and “Watching excess. And not to sound cliché, but I truly happy girls are the prettiest!” she laughs. was a time when she was “completely with Rani Mukerji” and used to plead mum to recreate her outfits from Bunty Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. strong, graceful women around me taught me that elegance also comes from confidence, kindness, and how you carry yourself,” says Sara, who is now drawn to a style that’s comfortable and classy over all else. “I enjoy experimenting with trends occasionally, but never at the cost of my comfort. I’ve also grown up in a family with certain values around dressing, which reflects in my choices.”

THE WORLD IS HER OYSTER

From cuddling koalas in Australia to savouring sunsets in Turkey,  from delighting in Lucknow’s street snacks to enjoying safaris in Kenya, travel is an inextricable part of Sara’s life. She thrives on experiencing new cultures, food, landscapes, and meeting people from different worlds. “Travel broadens your perspective in such a beautiful way! The feeling of anonymity is the cherry on top,” Sara jests. “Travel also reminds you how vast the world is beyond your own bubble, and 
I think that makes you more open-minded and adaptable.”

STRENGTH IN SPIRITUALITY

A cuticle-picker when nervous with the constant need for fidget toys around her, the young Tendulkar has found her grounding force in her wellness routine. “I’ve become increasingly spiritual over the past couple of years,” she shares. “I consciously try to set aside time to meditate, introspect, and slow down because it helps keep me calm… I’ve come to genuinely value solitude. In a world that constantly demands attention and stimulation, learning to enjoy stillness has been very healing for me.”

Legacy aside, one does dream of building an independent identity for themselves away from expectations, and Sara hopes to be remembered for her kindness, authenticity, and having a positive impact on people’s lives. “These qualities matter far more than success or public perception. At the end of the day, legacy is not just about achievements; it’s about how people felt after interacting with you, whether your presence made their lives even slightly better.”

This story was featured in the Vol 1. Issue 9 of HELLO! India. For more exclusive stories, subscribe to the magazine here.