The fragility beneath the glamorous greasepaint of Bollywood always comes to
light when suicides throw up the alarming issue of mental health crisis that
lurks beneath the layers of makeup of the actors who form the face of the
industry. What is more, these very vulnerable faces are the role models that
the junta looks up to lead by example.
“The layers of pressure for an actor are as much or more than the layers
of makeup,” says actor Amit Behl. “The social media adds to the stress of being
under constant watch. The industry is not about constant fame or constant
income and the lockdown has obviously added to the anxiety and stress, leading
to depression over an uncertain future. But Cine & TV Artistes' Association
(CINTAA) is not cash-rich,” avers actor Amit Behl, Sr Joint Secretary and
Spokesperson, CINTAA. “We reach out to our members in as many ways possible and
hold hands, not just during pandemic but always.” CINTAA has now tied up with
Zindagi Helpline that offers counselling support with a care group which
consists of experts and empaths alike. CINTAA also empanelled with
psychiatrists, psychotherapists, psychoanalysts and psychologists on our care
committee. “We are very concerned about this issue and want to take it up
further,” reveals Behl.
CINTAA first took cognisance of this fact when CINTAA member, Pratyusha
Banerjee committed suicide in 2015. Since then, the CINTAA care committee and
outreach committee have organised seminars and counselling sessions dealing
with mental health, physical health, yoga as well as counselling for anxiety,
depression, suicide prevention measures.
“We were also at the forefront of the sexual harassment and the MeToo movement.
We’ve also done webinars on this, including one with the internationally
renowned psychiatrist Dr Anjali Chhabria. We’ve also shared a lot of suicide
helplines and numbers on our social media,” avers Behl who adds that CINTAA is
approaching major studios, stakeholders, broadcasters and corporates who could
donate some money through their CSR to set up a 24/7 helpline for artists and
technicians.
“Mental health is stigmatised in our country and the words, depression or anxiety
are looked upon as though they don’t exist in our dictionary. In Bollywood,
actors are like fireflies, They look immortal, but their life of glory is
short-lived. They are not able to reach out for help. But of late, actors like
Deepika Padukone have sought to lead by example, making it easier for others.
Hence, Zindagi Helpine will make a vital difference,” says social activist
Anusha Srinivasan Iyer, the founder of Zindagi Helpline. “The group has experts
and empaths alike and anyone in trauma always has someone who will lend them an
ear as well as help them get help on time. It is simply about being there for
one another.”
Says Dr Shrradha Sidhwani, psychologist & psychotherapist, Associate Fellow
& Supervisor of REBT (USA), and one of the Core Founding Members of Zindagi
Helpline, “The film and television industry has huge highs and lows. Even
before the pandemic. Now, there is an urgent need of psychological
intervention. When your movie is released, one is busy with name, fame, work,
surrounded by people and travelling constantly for promotions. There is a lot
of anxiety before the release as well as after, and a lot of pressure in
handling critical comments. Individuals tend to personalise these comments and
often may feel rejected and have a sense of not being good enough or have
failed if the project doesn’t do well.”
Sidhwani believes that most of us define ourselves based on the work we do and
actors bear the negative judgments of their audience, and that this may lead
them to feel helpless and worthless.
“A lot of social validation and competition surrounds the acting world. In the
race to become successful one may lose himself just to wear the mask of a
character. A thin line lies between who you are and what character you play.
Since work is not guaranteed, people have to live with uncertainty and may be deeply insecure about their life. No doubt it is high maintenance to be an actor and one needs to constantly generate money to keep up their PR or social presence. At times this constant pressure weighs a person down and they may be too harsh on themselves.”
Student-writer Vedant Gill, who is battling depression himself, speaks of how assumptions about suicide and mental illness are sometimes weird. “People tend to think we are shirking work or that we are being unreasonable. At times, they bring religion or God in between. But not every person who is depressed wants to commit suicide, and even if they do it is to end their pain, not to die. If they have someone holding their hand and have counselling and medication at the right time, without skipping, it surely will help. One needs to earn not just for money but also to have a sense of purpose. Therapy takes time and patience is critical. There needs to be parental, familial and community support. We need someone who lends an ear without being judgemental. And that is not asking for much.”
Sidhwani offers simple solutions. “Loss and loneliness are also defining factors in this journey and at times the spotlight is on you and at times you are left completely with yourself while there is no work. One needs to evaluate and constantly remind themselves that being alone does not mean you are lonely and develop other interest, hobbies, skills. Keep good connectivity with family members and old friends and remember there is another reality other than show business,” she says.
Behl has the last word. “CINTAA will take the initiative, but we’d like the industry to come together, tackle this and make it a very healthy ecosystem. We want to follow the same lines that our colleagues in the US and UK, primarily, that is, Equity UK and SAG-AFTRA US are doing, they have these helplines and they’ve been very beneficial to members. Hopefully, we will also tie-up with the Screenwriters’ Association and FWICE in creating this kind of a helpline. We are initiating a series of dialogues with the Producers’ Council, the broadcasters in the Indian Broadcasters’ Forum so that we do not face such casualties in the future,” concludes Behl.
