*Trigger warning: references to suicide, suicidal ideation*
The spell of the silver screen is such that a lot of times, we only see the airbrushed, perfect lives of most Bollywood stars, but seldom do we understand the problems they go through. Oye Lucky Lucky Oye actor Neetu Chandra just shared thoughts about her Bollywood journey and it’s an eye-opener.
Neetu Chandra talks about mental health and Bollywood
Image Credit: Instagram/nituchandrasrivastava
Bollywood celebrities are always in the limelight. With social media and paparazzi, there is only a sliver of time they get where they can be themselves. However, the media does not always talk about what celebs are going through when not in the spotlight.
In an interaction with Bollywood Hungama, Neetu Chandra opened up about the challenges and the struggles she is currently facing on the personal and professional front.
Image Credit: Instagram/nituchandrasrivastava
Speaking to the publication, she said, “Meri story ek successful actor ki failure story hai. Maine 13 National awarded filmmakers ke saath kaam kiya hai. Itni badi badi filmein karne ke baad, today, I have no job, no money. (My story is a failure story of a successful actor. I have worked with 13 National award-winning filmmakers. Even after doing such big films, today, I have no prospects, no money.) [sic]”
She questioned why artists are only recognised when it’s too late
Image Credit: Instagram/nituchandrasrivastava
Neetu also talked about sensitive topics like suicide and recognition in the film industry. Talking about Sushant Singh Rajput, she wondered why artists get recognition posthumously: “Should I suffocate myself to death? Kya logon ke jaane ke baad hi unke kaam ko saraha jaata hai? Jo Sushant ne step uthaya…bahut logon ko aisa khayal aate hai. (Are people recognised only after they’ve left us? The step that Sushant Singh Rajput took, a lot of people have thoughts like that).”
She also got candid about her own mental health and the fact that she’s been dealing with suicidal thoughts. “I just feel unwanted here [in Bollywood] after doing so much work,” she confided.
Neetu said many people in Bollywood made her feel small
Image Credit: Instagram/nituchandrasrivastava
In the same interview, the Garam Masala actor shared how there have been many instances where the bigwigs in Bollywood made her feel small and hurt her pride.
Sharing a story about auditioning, she said, “Ek casting director, kaafi bada naam hai but main naam nahi bolna chah rahi hun, audition ke time pe hi matlab, ek ghante ke andar usne bola, ‘I am really sorry, Neetu, this is not working out.’ You literally audition me, to reject me taaki aap mera confidence todh sake?”
Image Credit: Instagram/nituchandrasrivastava
It loosely translates as, “A casting director, who is quite famous but I don’t want to take their name, told me within an hour of the audition, ‘I am really sorry, Neetu, this is not working out.’ You literally audition me to reject me so that you can take away my confidence? [sic]”
She also recalled another moment when a businessman offered her a huge amount of money to become a “salaried wife.” The actress confided, “I was told by a big businessman that he will give me INR 25 lakhs per month and that I have to become his salaried wife. I neither have money nor work. I’ve become worried.”
It is important to raise awareness about mental health
Image Credit: Instagram/nituchandrasrivastava
While celebrity weddings and designer clothes attract millions of eyeballs, important issues like mental health and wellness are often overlooked when it comes to famous celebs. It’s an extremely important issue and we need to have more conversations that revolve around it. The conversation Neetu just began is critical to becoming more empathetic and sensitive as a community.
Image Credit: Instagram/nituchandrasrivastava
Neetu Chandra has previously worked in movies like Oye Lucky Lucky Oye, Traffic Signal, Garam Masala, Apartment, and more. Her last project was her debut in Hollywood with the 2021 movie, Never Back Down: Revolt.
If you or someone you know is having suicial thoughts, click here to reach the suicide helplines in India.
Social and lead image credit: Instagram/nituchandrasrivastava
