Bollywood & Mental Health
The glamour, the shine, and the glittering moments of Bollywood often hide a darker side that remains unseen. For the people in Bollywood, pretending to have a luxurious and flawless lifestyle seems almost second nature. However, being human means dealing with both the good and the bad, and this applies to them as well. Their over-glorified lifestyle makes it hard for audiences to understand the struggles they face, whether mentally or physically. But as they say, the truth always surfaces, and so does their mental health. It becomes evident through the controversies and incidents they are often a part of.
As audiences, we are no strangers to the cold wars, feuds, and controversies within the industry. From someone accusing a colleague of bad behavior to others blaming nepotism or even snatching roles through personal connections, these issues regularly make headlines. For instance, Kangana Ranaut has been known for targeting the industry, while Rakhi Sawant is often in the spotlight for her controversies and emotional outbursts. These events don't just impact the celebrities directly involved; their friends, families, and fans also feel the ripple effects.
Despite being symbols of national charm, Bollywood celebrities face mental health challenges—big or small—that take a toll on their lives. There have been numerous cases of these struggles leading to tragic outcomes. Every morning, they wake up, get ready, smile for the cameras, and perpetuate the illusion of a plush, perfect life. But behind those smiles lies the reality of their mental health battles, which often remain hidden from the world.
Critical Human Behavior in Bollywood Celebrities
The Bollywood industry, with all the glitz and glam, is very pressurizing because it pushes celebrities to appear perfect at all times. This pressure often manifests as emotional volatility and behavioural changes among them. The industry's endless scrutiny and their struggles are often laid bare, sidelining their emotional well-being in the eyes of the public.
There are tons of incidents at parties, shows, or even on social media where celebrities are seen mocking or targeting one another. For example, you must be aware of the Salman Khan and Vivek Oberoi controversy, where Vivek accused Salman of harassing him and asking everyone in the industry not to give him work because of his past with Aishwarya Rai. This incident clearly shows how severe someone’s anger or rage can get. And when someone with millions of fans is accused of such behaviour, it doesn’t just impact the people involved but also their fans, who look up to them.
Bollywood marriages are always in the headlines—someone is getting divorced, someone is marrying someone else. Marriages in Bollywood are seen as delicate threads that can easily be broken by a single rumour. For instance, Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu were married and appeared happy together, but now they’re separated. Samantha was blamed for the breakup by fans and media, but later, when Naga’s pictures with his new partner surfaced, people’s perspectives changed. We cannot even imagine the trolling Samantha had to endure while dealing with her divorce and depression. Without knowing the truth, people tend to blame someone, not realizing how severe the mental health consequences can be for that person.
These extreme and popular incidents make sensational headlines that are a boon for newspapers and magazines. But for fans, who are deeply invested in celebrities’ lives and actions, these events might influence them negatively. The inability to process or address personal challenges often surfaces in highly visible ways, reminding us that Bollywood stars, despite their glamorous lives, have emotional vulnerabilities just like anyone else.
Causes of Mental Health Issues and Disorders in Bollywood Celebrities
1. Constant Publishing, Scrutiny, and Trolling
Celebrities are public figures, which means their personal and professional lives are constantly exposed to people. The public holds the power to either elevate a celebrity or make them invisible. This influence, combined with their constant observation and criticism, leads to widespread trolling and scrutiny. With the rise of social media, the situation has worsened. Celebrities face mockery, negative comments, body shaming, and invasions of their privacy, leading to immense stress and anxiety. For example, cricketer Hardik Pandya and actress Sonakshi Sinha have both faced intense cyberbullying, resulting in anxiety and self-doubt.
2. Pressure of Staying Relevant
Staying relevant in the industry is crucial because celebrities depend on the public for their livelihood. If the audience loses interest, they replace the star with someone new. This demand for perfection, especially during career slumps or after flop movies, causes overwhelming self-doubt and anxiety. Stars like Abhishek Bachchan have openly discussed the pressure of living up to their family's legacy, which adds to this burden.
3. Aging and Unrealistic Beauty Standards
Bollywood often treats women like eye candy, placing immense importance on having the "perfect" physique, age, and body type. Those who don’t fit these standards struggle to find opportunities. This has led many to resort to cosmetic surgeries and Botox just to stay "valid" in the industry. Ageing actors, especially women, face reduced opportunities and harsh criticism, causing significant stress and anxiety.
4. Favoritism and Nepotism
Favouritism and nepotism are deeply ingrained in Bollywood. Relatives of established actors often get opportunities, while outsiders, even if more talented, are overlooked. Kangana Ranaut has spoken openly about this, highlighting how nepotism fosters stress, self-doubt, anxiety, and even depression in new actors trying to break into the industry.
5. Fluctuating Relationships
Celebrity relationships are always a topic of public gossip, making them highly vulnerable to scrutiny. The fear of losing relationships or facing backlash is common. Some celebrities stay in unhappy relationships for the sake of publicity, while others gain attention from their breakups. For instance, the separation of Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan was heavily scrutinized, leaving them emotionally vulnerable.
6. Substance Abuse to Feel Better
Some actors feel so stressed that they start doing bad things like using harmful substances to feel okay. Sanjay Dutt, another famous actor, talked about how this made things worse for him.
7. Feeling Bad About Flop Movies
When movies don’t do well, actors feel very bad about themselves. They get nervous and angry because people criticize them. Stars like Shahid Kapoor went through this when their movies didn’t work.
8. Isolation and loneliness
Even though many people cheer for them, some actors feel very lonely. Sushant Singh Rajput’s sad story reminds us that feeling alone can hurt a lot, even if you’re famous.
How Bollywood Contributed to Mental Health Awareness
A growing trend among Bollywood celebrities is spreading awareness about the importance of being both physically and mentally healthy. Many stars are leading by example, emphasizing the connection between fitness and mental clarity. For instance, Hrithik Roshan credits his fitness routine with helping him manage stress and maintain focus during challenging times in his career. Actresses like Shilpa Shetty and Malaika Arora actively share yoga routines and diets, showcasing the mental and physical benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Younger stars like Sara Ali Khan, Ananya Panday, and Janhvi Kapoor highlight the value of meditation, yoga, and workouts, not just for fitness but for achieving a peaceful and serene life.
Celebrities are influencing public awareness about healthy eating habits by sharing their daily diet routines. Malaika Arora, for example, has revealed that she avoids eating after 8 PM, while Priyanka Chopra emphasizes balanced eating as essential for holistic health. These insights have encouraged people, including the youth, to adopt healthier habits, like staying hydrated and eating more green vegetables. Such advice resonates with younger audiences and inspires them to follow a balanced diet for better mental and physical well-being.
Bollywood stars are becoming more open about their experiences with therapy and mental health challenges. Pooja Bhatt has written a book detailing her journey through depression, and Deepika Padukone has openly discussed her struggles with mental health. Deepika’s Live Love Laugh Foundation is a powerful initiative aimed at reducing the stigma around mental health and encouraging people to seek help. These candid conversations have played a significant role in normalizing therapy and promoting mental health awareness in society.
Celebrities often share their vacation photos and stories, emphasizing the importance of relaxation and taking breaks from hectic schedules. Stars like Alia Bhatt and Anushka Sharma regularly post about their stress-relief trips, encouraging their fans to value downtime and prioritize their mental health by stepping away from everyday pressures.
Bollywood stars have taken up the mantle of promoting mental health awareness through interviews, campaigns, and public appearances. By sharing their experiences, they inspire fans to acknowledge their struggles and seek help when needed.
Divorced Bollywood couples are setting an example by prioritizing their children’s mental health through co-parenting. Hrithik Roshan and Suzanne Khan, for instance, have emphasized the importance of co-parenting to ensure their children’s emotional well-being. This progressive approach promotes a healthy and balanced upbringing, even in non-traditional family settings.
Bollywood has also brought mental health issues into the spotlight through movies. Films like Dear Zindagi, Tamasha, and Chhichhore have opened up discussions about therapy, self-awareness, and mental struggles. These movies not only entertain but also educate audiences on the importance of addressing mental health issues and seeking help.
Conclusion
Bollywood stars are just like us—they have happy days and tough days too. They’ve started talking about feelings like sadness or stress to help others understand it's okay to feel this way. Instead of copying their fights or mistakes, we should learn to be kind, take care of ourselves, and be good to others.