Over the past few years, mental illness has become a mainstream topic, where people, including celebrities, are speaking up and trying to help normalize mental illness. It is well known that the industry of Bollywood is very high pressure and tension-filled environment, however a number of celebrities have been heroes in speaking about their own challenges with mental health. Moving forward, these individuals have done wonders to many, recognizing the importance of mental health in society when it’s needed the most. Five ways Bollywood stars affected the mental health issues and why mental health is a much overlooked aspect.
Deepika Padukone: Struggled with Depression
Deepika Padukone, being one of the foremost actresses in the Bollywood film industry, in the year 2015 broke down and shared her fight with depression which also makes her one of the first leading actresses in the history of Bollywood to ever talk about the mental condition. The actress confessed that she had gone through numbing and despairing phases in her life even after being successful in her career. While in one such interview, she spoke about how the distress of clinical depression inflicted pain in her personal as well as professional life. Deepika not only went through therapy but also became involved in the fight against mental health issues by founding the Live Love Laugh Foundation to be of assistance to those afflicted with such illnesses. The honesty she has shown about her illness started and continues to fuel many discussions regarding mental health, helping others who might have been in a similar situation to overcome the stigma and ask for help.
Karan Johar: Battled Anxiety and Depression
Director and producer Karan Johar, known for his blockbuster films and his larger-than-life persona, has been vocal about his battles with anxiety and depression. In his 2017 autobiography, An Unsuitable Boy, Karan opened up about the intense anxiety and loneliness he experienced, despite being one of the most successful filmmakers in the industry. He revealed that his feelings of insecurity and fear of being judged affected his mental peace, and he had to seek therapy to overcome his struggles. Karan has since been an advocate for mental health and has frequently used his platform to encourage others to talk about their mental health openly.
Shah Rukh Khan: Overcame Depression After Personal Tragedy
Shah Rukh Khan, often referred to as the "King of Bollywood," has spoken about his struggle with depression, particularly after the death of his parents. He described how the grief of losing his mother and father took a toll on his emotional and psychological well-being. Khan admitted that he experienced intense feelings of sadness and confusion, and at one point, he even considered taking a break from acting. However, Shah Rukh sought help from friends, family, and professionals to deal with his mental health issues. His openness about his challenges serves as an inspiration to many who may be silently battling grief and mental illness.
Anushka Sharma: Struggled with Anxiety
Actress Anushka Sharma, who gave some sure-fire performances in movies like PK and Sultan, has candidly revealed her struggle with anxiety. She talked in interviews regarding how the situations wherein she had to perform, the pressure built upon her, exaggerated personal disappointments and the overbearing presence of the audience took a toll on her health. Managing anxiety was also an aspect discussed by Anushka, where she talked about the importance of controlled breathing and how she went to professionals. Because of her honesty, Anushka has given hope to many people and assured them that speaking up about problems such as anxiety and stress would not make them weak.
Irrfan Khan: Fought Neuroendocrine Tumor
The cancer sickness of the recently deceased actor Irrfan Khan became public when he talked about suffering from a rare neuroendocrine tumor in 2018. During the treatment, Irrfan also candidly shared his experience on how it was to live with cancer—its emotional and psychological aspects. His struggle demonstrated the issue of mental health in relation to physical health, thus emphasizing the fact that there are mental health issues that enhance physical sickness. By fighting and being public about his physical illness and mental health, Irrfan contributed to the alleviation of misconceptions about the pain that cancer and other chronic illness sufferers go through.
The Importance of Mental Health Awareness
The experiences of these Bollywood celebrities highlight how mental illness knows no boundaries—it can happen to anyone, irrespective of their achievements and position in society. In an industry as fast-paced and demanding as Bollywood, where the expectations to deliver and uphold a certain type of image can be excessive, mental breakdowns are quite common. Unfortunately, in most cases, due to the stigma attached to mental health, one finds it difficult to ask for external assistance.
The necessity of increasing mental health literacy cannot be overemphasized. By taking the podium, feeling the breath of many fans, wearing them on a t-shirt, and coming into the spotlight talking about depression, Deepika Padukone and other celebrities did a great thing as they have removed the shroud of secrecy around the problem. There is no denying the importance of Mental health advocacy for the following reasons:
Reduction of Stigmatization: Most, if not all, societies stigmatize mental health illnesses and most people live with these problems quietly. When these individuals come forward and talk about their experiences, they inspire many people to go out and look for help without fear.
Encouraging Timely Treatment: The sooner people realize a problem exists and seek treatment for mental disorders, the better to manage the illness. Education makes people aware of the signs and symptoms and helps them respond before crises reach ill health.
Encouraging Empathy: modern awareness benefits society as it dutifully inspires compassion. It also makes people extend this warmth to those who are ill with mental conditions, even if they are not within their social circles.
Promoting Wellness: People should take care of their mental health as they take care of their physical health. There is a difference between the two in that it is easier to discuss mental health and that provision helps create conditions in which people can assume responsibility for their psychological health, practice self-care, and even go for help when necessary.
The struggles faced by Bollywood personalities such as Deepika Padukone, Karan Johar, Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma, and the late Irrfan Khan remind us that mental health issues go beyond normal existence; it is a phenomenon that all beings experience. By virtue of their transparency, these stars have emboldened countless individuals to confront their issues with mental illness and go to the extent of seeking help and even fighting against the adverse perception associated with it. Mental health awareness is growing, however, it is only right that we also encourage a culture of support and compassion towards those with psychological struggles, away from the interpretation of the limelight.
