"I discovered I was going through anxiety."
Mental health issues are something that many of us can relate to in one way or another.
We might have faced them ourselves or we may know others who have.
In the glitzy universe of Indian cinema, it is hard to differentiate the celebrity from the human being.
The truth is that even our favourite celebrities endure difficulties like any other person.
Several people from filmdom have been vocal about their mental health.
On the other hand, some chose to remain quiet on the matter.
Underlining the importance of the topic, DESIblitz showcases a list of 10 Bollywood celebrities who faced mental health issues.
Parveen Babi
Parveen Babi is a legendary star. She reigned supreme in Indian cinema in the 1970s.
In the 1980s, at the peak of her career, Parveen abruptly left India to settle abroad.
It is now a known fact that the Kaalia actress suffered from schizophrenia, which is a mental illness affecting the thoughts and behaviours of sufferers.
Parveen accused many famous people of attempting to kill her, including her frequent co-star Amitabh Bachchan.
Levelling this allegation at Amitabh, Parveen said: “Amitabh Bachchan is a super international gangster.
“He is after my life. His goons kidnapped me and I was kept on an island where they performed a surgery on me and planted a transmitter or chip right under my ear.”
However, owing to her illness, Parveen’s allegation was proved to be false.
The actress was tragically found dead on January 20, 2005, shortly after her return to India.
Aamir Khan
If there is one actor who knows how to win the hearts of the audience, it is Aamir Khan.
The actor might be a source of dynamite onscreen, but he has been open about his mental health issues.
Aamir talked about how therapy helped him continue his career:
“Around 2.5 years ago, I realised I was so lost in my passion that I hadn’t given enough time to my relationships.
“I was disturbed and unhappy. I would have left films if not for my children.”
“I was angry and irritated with myself.
“When one is in stress or is going through emotional issues they should go to a therapist.
“It has helped me a lot in understanding myself better.”
There is certainly no shame in seeking help. The comments by Aamir display that in a hugely inspiring way.
After the airing of his television show, Satyamev Jayate (2012–2014), the actor also revealed that he had sought a doctor’s help to overcome the trauma from researching the sensitive topics for the show.
Manisha Koirala
Manisha Koirala is a sterling actress who won acclaim for her powerful performance as Mallikajaan in Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar (2024).
In the web series, Manisha delivers a mesmeric act. It therefore might be hard to believe that the star was depressed during the shoot.
Manisha has also been open about her battle with cancer.
Delving into her depression on the sets of the Netflix show, Manisha confessed:
“Even now sometimes I work in depression.
“Honestly speaking, when I was doing Heeramandi, it consumed me so much, my mood swings.
“And I was just like, ‘Sail through this phase. Once this is out, focus on your health’.”
Manisha is a consummate professional for overcoming her depression to provide the audience with a character we all love to admire.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who directed Manisha in Heeramandi, as well as Khamoshi: The Musical (1996) praised her and said:
“Working with her was a unique opportunity. Manisha has never played the role of a courtesan in Hindi cinema.
“Her presence on social media is also minimal, which I find refreshing.”
Karan Johar
Karan Johar is one of the most vibrant Bollywood directors.
Since his directorial debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), he has helmed blockbusters including Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006), My Name is Khan (2010) and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023).
Karan is also the host of the popular television show Koffee With Karan.
However, behind that energetic persona, is a man who has admirably faced mental health issues.
Opening up on this phase, Karan explained: “In 2016, in a phase where I discovered I was going through anxiety.
“You get better and it does come back sometimes – it came back again in the beginning of this year.
“What you do is you address it, and the first thing is you acknowledge it.
“There are professionals who can guide you where sometimes your loved ones can’t.”
Karan deserves applause for bravely speaking out about this episode.
Hrithik Roshan
He came, we saw, and he conquered in a way that was never seen before.
Hrithik Roshan dived into the Bollywood scene as a fantastic actor and an amazing dancer in Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai (2000).
He has cemented himself as one of the industry’s most loved performers.
The actor has frequently spoken about his childhood struggles involving his stammering disorder and his pre-axial polydactyly.
On World Mental Health Day in 2023, Hrithik took to his Instagram profile to underscore the importance of awareness of the issue.
He wrote: “Today is Mental Health Day.
“I just wanna say that I wouldn’t be here making each day count, being productive, being kind (to myself too).
“Being at peace, taking on challenges, getting better at work, at life, at living. If it wasn’t for the years I have put into therapy.
“Working on oneself, on one’s inner world is precious.
“My wish is for all of us to learn how to look inside. Become a community of aware adults.
“And just by doing that, we’d be changing the world.”
It really is no wonder why Hrithik has a loyal fanbase that roots for him. Such mature thoughts deserve no less.
Deepika Padukone
In the glamorous realm of cinema, few actresses exude class and elegance quite like Deepika Padukone.
Aside from her staggering body of work in films, Deepika is an advocate for mental health.
Speaking about her own experiences, the actress divulged:
“It really began with my personal journey and when I went through my own experience with anxiety and depression.
“I just remember that everything was so taboo and hush-hush and it made me wonder why we went about it like that.
“That’s what’s really prompted me to come out and speak about my own experience and normalise it.”
Deepika also explained how her mother and caregiver helped her to cope:
“Had my mother and the caregiver not identified my symptoms, in my moment of vulnerability, had she not had the presence of mind to tell me to or help me reach out to the professionals, I don’t know what state I would be in today.
“I think caregivers in general, whether it is mental illness or any other form of illness, it takes a toll on the caregiver.”
To turn trauma into an opportunity for change is one of life’s most noble deeds. Deepika is truly one of a kind.
Anushka Sharma
Continuing with bold, beautiful, and courageous actresses, we come to the superstar that is Anushka Sharma.
The wife of cricketer Virat Kohli, and a versatile performer in her own right, Anushka is a sight for sore eyes everywhere she goes.
In 2015, the Jab Tak Hai Jaan actress revealed her struggles with anxiety.
She admitted: “I have anxiety and I’m treating my anxiety.
“I’m on medication for my anxiety. Why am I saying this?
“Because it’s a completely normal thing. It’s a biological problem. In my family, there have been cases of depression.
“More and more people should talk openly about it.
“There is nothing shameful about it or something to hide.
“If you had constant stomach pain, wouldn’t you go to the doctor? It’s that simple.
“I want to make this my mission – to take any shame out of this, to educate people about this.”
Like Deepika, Anushka is also raising awareness of mental health issues.
She is trying to make something positive out of a negatively tabooed aspect.
Anushka Sharma deserves every ounce of support and respect that comes her way.
Jiah Khan
Jiah Khan appeared in three films in her short Bollywood career.
However, in all three movies, she created a lasting impression.
The young actress sadly suffered from depression.
Jiah seemingly gave this veiled yet disarming reference to her mental health via her comment about love:
“Love is a feeling I wake up with in the morning and it’s gone by the time I go to sleep.”
However, on June 3, 2013, Jiah Khan tragically took her own life. She was just 25 years old.
In her suicide note, she wrote that her boyfriend Sooraj Pancholi was physically abusive towards her.
Legal issues followed, and Sooraj was not acquitted of wrongdoing until April 2023.
This was due to a lack of evidence.
Jiah Khan’s untimely death is a reminder of just how important attention regarding mental health issues is.
Watch Jiah Khan’s DESIblitz interview
Shraddha Kapoor
Of course, everyone who faces mental issues has their own way of dealing with them.
Many resilient individuals embrace them and Shraddha Kapoor is one of those remarkable people.
She clarified that at first, she did not know what anxiety was.
She said: “I didn’t even know what was anxiety.
“We didn’t know it since a very long time. It was just after Aashiqui where I had these physical manifestations of anxiety.
“There’s this pain happening where there was no physiological diagnosis.
“We got so many tests done but there was nothing wrong with me in the doctor’s report.
“It’s bizarre because I kept thinking why I was getting that pain. Then I kept asking myself why that was happening.
“Somewhere, you have to embrace it. You have to accept it as part of yourself and approach it with a lot of love.
“That made a big difference. Whether you have anxiety or not, you always need to understand who you are or what you stand for.
“It’s something that I am dealing with in a positive way, every single day.”
Shraddha is a motivating and refreshing person for such an attitude that will help and inspire millions of fans.
Sushant Singh Rajput
This young actor remains a beacon of talent and unparalleled celluloid brilliance.
Sushant Singh Rajput took his own life on June 14, 2020, leaving the industry stunned and many fans devastated.
He was reportedly suffering from depression, and his death triggered a diatribe of hate towards certain Indian film luminaries.
They included Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra and Alia Bhatt.
Their supposed pioneering of nepotism and alleged deliberate efforts to malign Sushant led to notions that they had driven the star to take such a tragic step.
After his death, Sushant’s doctor revealed: “At that time, [Sushant] told me things like he is not getting sleep or has any appetite.
“He doesn’t like anything in life now, he doesn’t wish to live, and he is afraid all the time.
“Sushant Singh Rajput was suffering from depression and anxiety.
“He told me that he has been experiencing these symptoms for the last 10 days.”
It is truly heartbreaking that Sushant saw no way out of his state of mind.
However, he leaves behind an unshakeable legacy through his glorious work.
Bollywood celebrities have minds just like the rest of us.
They also feel the vicissitudes of the world and differentiating circumstances.
Some of the aforementioned people use their experiences to drive change and educate their fans.
They prove that mental health issues can be the start of something positive.
While some other celebrities succumb to their negative feelings, they also inspire awareness.
For that, these celebrities deserve nothing but our respect and our love.
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