India, 29th July 2026 – As a platform committed to helping people build meaningful and authentic connections, Bumble has partnered with Ananya Panday’s podcast SoPositive for a three-part conversation series exploring the realities of modern dating. Through honest discussions and personal stories, the collaboration brings to life Bumble’s focus on trust, clarity and intentional connections.
In the first episode, Ananya is joined by singer and actor Lisa Mishra for a candid conversation on why being upfront about your feelings is far more powerful than playing it cool. Together, they discuss the pressure to appear detached while dating, the fear of seeming “too interested,” and why communicating intentions clearly can help build stronger connections.
Ananya Panday and Lisa Mishra unpack why modern dating often rewards mixed signals over honesty, exploring the pressure to “play it cool” instead of expressing genuine interest. Their conversation encourages listeners to embrace vulnerability, communicate their intentions clearly and build connections rooted in authenticity rather than assumption.
Lisa Mishra (Episode 1: Moving from Playing It Cool to Being Clear) said, “I think we’ve all been conditioned to believe that showing you care too much is somehow a weakness. But honestly? The bravest thing you can do in dating is just say what you actually mean. Being upfront isn’t desperate; it’s respectful. To yourself and to the other person. That’s the energy I want to bring into every connection, and it’s why conversations like this one with Ananya feel so important right now.”
The conversation reflects what many singles in India are looking for today. Bumble’s latest insights reveal that more than 6 in 10 (62.55%) single Indians say clear dating intentions help build trust with a potential match, while nearly half (48.15%) are seeking greater clarity around a date’s intentions. The episode also highlights Bumble’s Dating Intentions feature, which helps members communicate what they are looking for and make more informed connections.
*Note to the Editors:
2000 single respondents in India between June 2-9, 2026 ages 18-35 who are actively using dating apps.
About Bumble: Bumble was founded by Whitney Wolfe Herd in 2014 and was built on the philosophy that when you make dating better for women, you make it better for everyone. Bumble believes that love, in all its forms, is the foundation to a happy, healthy life. Bumble is built with a focus on meaningful and authentic relationships, and the community plays an important part in that. Bumble holds its members accountable for their actions and strives to provide them with an experience free from hate, aggression, or bullying. The app is free to download and is widely available in the Apple App Store, Google Play Store and the web.
About So Positive: Founded by Ananya Panday in 2019, So Positive is a Digital Social Responsibility (DSR) initiative that is committed to building a kinder and safer online world. What started as an anti-cyberbullying movement has grown into a purpose led platform that encourages positive digital behaviour, promotes mental wellbeing and creates meaningful conversations around life online.
Over the years, So Positive has expanded its impact through several initiatives, including the So Positive Podcast featuring honest conversations around mental health and social media, the So Positive Book Club to encourage mindful reading , its partnership with the Rati Foundation to take awareness to young audiences and the So Positive Kindness Curriculum, an art-based learning programme introduced in schools to help children build empathy through storytelling and creative expression. So Positive continues to empower young people to lead with kindness, empathy and responsibility, both online and offline.
