Aditi Govitrikar, the first Indian woman to win the Mrs World title in 2001, has spoken candidly about facing abusive experiences at a very young age. In a recent interview, the actor and model reflected on safety, childhood trauma, and how those moments shaped her instincts and resilience over the years.Contrary to common perceptions about big cities, Aditi revealed that her most disturbing experiences occurred not in Mumbai, but in Panvel. “Honestly, if you ask me safety-wise, I actually faced more disturbing incidents in Panvel. I had a few abusive experiences there, and it took me a very long time to even process them,” the 51-year-old told Hauterrfly, adding that she didn’t speak about them until adulthood. Recalling that she was barely six or seven years old, Aditi shared that one of the perpetrators was her father’s friend, while another incident involved a random stranger.
‘Public transport teaches you survival’
While Panvel was otherwise “relatively safe” compared to places often discussed for safety concerns, those incidents stayed with her. Later, when she began traveling to Mumbai for her studies, safety once again became a constant consideration. “I used to come to Dadar for Agarwal Classes in the 12th standard. At that time, local trains weren’t an option for me, so I traveled by bus. I’ve done it all—public transport teaches you survival,” she said.Talking about coping mechanisms she developed at a young age, Aditi described how she used everyday objects to create personal boundaries. “I had these really big bags on both sides. Inside, I’d put hardboard books and hold them like shields. It was literally my protection. If I got a seat, I’d keep one bag on each side so no one could touch me,” she recalled.
‘The feeling of violation never feels okay’
Echoing a reality many women speak about, Aditi agreed that abuse often comes from familiar faces. “Yes, absolutely. In my case, one incident involved someone known to the family,” she said, adding that another incident in a market left her shaken despite being too young to fully understand what had happened. “You just feel so violated. That feeling is horrible—it’s never okay.”Aditi shared that it took nearly 15 years for her to speak openly about these experiences. The conversation began organically when friends started sharing their own stories. “That was the first time all of us spoke about it openly,” she said.
‘I don’t take nonsense anymore’
The impact of those early experiences, she admitted, still lingers. “There’s definitely a kind of PTSD. Even today, if someone comes too close in a public space, my body reacts automatically. I’m ready to push. I don’t take nonsense anymore,” she stated firmly.Explaining her spoken stance on self-defense, Aditi said, “Every girl learns how to use her elbow—and trust me, a strong elbow hurts!” She also recalled incidents where even security personnel behaved inappropriately. “They say, ‘Arre, you made a mistake.’ That’s not acceptable,” she said. Asked if she was ever told to simply “adjust,” Aditi said no one explicitly said it to her, but she observed it growing up. “I saw my mother. I saw how she adjusted, how she managed situations. You learn by watching,” she reflected, adding that while she rebelled at times, she also learned to navigate the world smartly. “But today, I stand my ground.”
