The topic of mental health is still considered taboo in India, but it is a very important aspect of personal growth. When we talk about mental health, especially in the Bollywood industry, people only see the glamour side of celebs but not everything is glitter and gold. Six Bollywood celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan, and others have come forward to discuss their mental health.
1. Deepika Padukone
© Google
Deepika Padukone was one of the very first Bollywood stars to discuss her struggles with depression publicly. Back in the year 2015, the actress spoke about depression when it was still regarded as a weakness. In an interview with NDTV, the actress disclosed how she could not concentrate and broke down very often.
She stated, “I assumed it was stress, so I tried to divert my attention by focusing on work and surrounding myself with people, which helped for a while, but the nagging feeling didn’t go away. My breath was shallow, I couldn’t concentrate, and I frequently broke down”. The actress also founded Live, Love, laugh a foundation that aims to create awareness about mental health.
2. Anushka Sharma
© Instagram/Deepika Padukone
Actress Anushka Sharma suffers from anxiety as well. The actress took to social media to openly talk about mental health.
She stated, “I am anxious and I am treating my anxieties. I am taking medicine for anxiety. What am I trying to say? Because it is completely normal. This is a biological problem. In my family, there have been instances of depression. More and more individuals should talk about it freely. There is no shame in this, and there is nothing to hide. If you had a constant stomach ache, wouldn’t you see a doctor? It’s that simple. I want to make this my mission, to take any shame out of this, to educate people about this.”
3. Shah Rukh Khan
© Instagram/Anushka Sharma
In 2010, the King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, suffered from depression following a shoulder surgery. He spoke about his battle with depression and recovery in an interview with IANS. He stated, “I feel so much healthier and refreshed from within — I had fallen into a depression mode due to the injury and suffering, but I am now out of it. I’m feeling upbeat and energized.”
4. Varun Dhawan
© Instagram/Shah Rukh Khan
Few people are aware that actor Varun Dhawan battled depression a few years ago. In an interview with Bollyspice, he revealed that he was battling a mental health problem while filming for the film Badlapur.
He stated, “I was feeling down. I wasn’t clinically depressed, but I was on my way there. To some extent, I was depressed. Because depression is a serious illness, I don’t want to use the term loosely. It had a significant impact on my mental health. I was prescribed and did see a doctor for it as well.”
5. Ileana D’Cruz
© Instagram/Varun Dhawan
Actress Ileana D’Cruz disclosed that she suffers from body dysmorphia—a condition where you are constantly disappointed with the way your body looks and might just find flaws in it, which can cause low confidence levels, social anxiety, and even depression. She then proceeded to explain that it is normal for an actress to have fears and that this should not impede her or anyone from pursuing their aspirations or achieving their goals.
6. Parineeti Chopra
© Instagram/Ileana D’Cruz
A few years ago, in an interview with the talk show Tapecast, Parineeti Chopra disclosed that she experienced depressive episodes in 2014 and 2015 which she referred to as “the worst time” of her life. She added that she had gone into a shell after her films failed to perform well at the box office, and she claimed that she had no money.
Moreover, she also suffered heartbreak in her personal life. She characterized herself as a “typical filmy depressed girl,” huddled in a corner and crying all day with constant chest discomfort. She also revealed that her brother and a few friends helped her out of that phase by simply being there for her.
7. Mrunal Thakur
© Instagram/Parineeti Chopra
Actress Mrunal Thakur has also shared her battle with depression. In an exclusive chat with YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, the actress revealed how tough it was for her as a struggling actor. She went on to say that the ages of 15-20 are critical for people to figure out what they want to do in life, and that those who are unable or fail to recognize their goal in life may feel depressed and have suicidal thoughts. When asked by the YouTuber if she had similar thoughts, she replied, “I used to travel by local trains. I used to stand at the door and fantasize about jumping out”.
Social and lead credit: Instagram/Deepika Padukone and Instagram/Anushka Sharma
