Bollywood is like a mirror reflecting back different aspects of the Indian (and the greater subcontinental) society to us. Mental health in Bollywood too has gradually found its representation, albeit subtly and sometimes inadequately. The industry often seems to romanticize or oversimplify mental health issues: while films like Taare Zameen Par and Dear Zindagi have opened up important conversations, Jab We Met and Anjaana Anjaani glossed over the complexities.
Truly nuanced, accurate, and empathetic portrayals are needed to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with mental health. Let’s look at some such portrayals to critically examine the progress and the areas of improvement.
Positive Portrayals of Mental Health
Taare Zameen Par (2007) – Dyslexia
Taare Zameen Par is a landmark film that introduced dyslexia into the mainstream consciousness. The story revolves around Ishaan, a dyslexic young boy, and his journey towards self-acceptance and academic success with the help of a compassionate teacher.
The film is celebrated for its sensitive portrayal of a learning disability, emphasizing the importance of understanding and support from educators and parents. It is heartwarming and educational, but it does tend to idealize the resolution. Ishaan’s transformation, while inspiring, happens a bit too linearly- almost like a miracle. It oversimplifies the ongoing systemic challenges faced by individuals with dyslexia.
In reality, overcoming learning disabilities is a long-term process that requires a stable support system- continuous support from everyone in the person’s environment, disability-trained educators and psychologists/counselors, and an inclusive system designed to accommodate and nourish them.
The film’s portrayal of dyslexia is definitely groundbreaking for Bollywood. Nevertheless we could always benefit from a more nuanced depiction of the long-term challenges faced by individuals with learning disabilities, sparking conversations around the need for institutional inclusivity and structural accessibility in learning institutions.
My Name is Khan (2010) – Asperger’s Syndrome
Shah Rukh Khan’s Rizwan Khan, a man with Asperger’s Syndrome, embarks on a journey to meet the President of the United States (POTUS) after 9/11 to literally tell him he is not a terrorist.
The film was a significant milestone for Bollywood for several reasons. Firstly, it brought Asperger’s Syndrome into the mainstream, a condition rarely depicted in Indian cinema. SRK’s performance was both sensitive and powerful, shedding light on the unique challenges and strengths associated with the condition. Rizwan Khan’s character challenged the typical stereotypes associated with mental health conditions, particularly autism. Instead of being portrayed as a victim or a burden, Rizwan is shown as a capable, intelligent, and compassionate individual.
Additionally the film’s narrative, set against the backdrop of post-9/11 America, incorporated sensitive themes of racial profiling and discrimination against the immigrants and muslim population. Such exposure is important for developing empathy amongst Hindutva-plagued India for other minorities (Muslim population).
My Name is Khan resonated with audiences worldwide, breaking stereotypes and promoting empathy towards people on the spectrum. Its intersection of mental health and social justice themes made the movie socially relevant and thought-provoking. Its success shows films addressing mental health issues could be both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, paving the way for more nuanced and diverse representations of mental health in Bollywood.
Barfi! (2012) – Autism
Barfi! tells the story of Barfi, a deaf and mute man, and Jhilmil, an autistic woman. The film followed the ‘abundance model’ where it highlighted the abilities and strengths of its differently-abled characters instead of their limitations. Barfi is portrayed as a resourceful and charming individual, using his creativity and wit to navigate life’s challenges. Jhilmil, on the other hand, is depicted with innocence and depth, showcasing her unique perspective on the world. The film’s narrative is filled with moments that highlight the characters’ strengths; Barfi’s and Jhilmil’s portrayals challenge common stereotypes and offer a refreshing view of differently-abled individuals as capable and vibrant members of society.
The film followed the ‘abundance model’ where it highlighted the abilities and strengths of its differently-abled characters instead of their limitations.
However, Barfi! also romanticizes the lives of its protagonists and largely ignores their daily struggles and societal challenges, even overlooking the subplot of Barfi’s susceptibility to becoming a political scapegoat. While heartwarming, the narrative oversimplifies the hardships such individuals face, potentially giving viewers a whimsical outlook of their realities.
15 Park Avenue (2005) – Schizophrenia
15 Park Avenue offers a poignant portrayal of schizophrenia through the character of Meethi, played by Konkona Sen Sharma. The narrative delves into her delusions and the impact of her condition on her family, offering a realistic depiction of schizophrenia and its emotional toll on everyone involved.
Meethi’s journey is portrayed with sensitivity, capturing the confusion and fear that accompany her delusions. The film excellently illustrates how schizophrenia affects not just the individual, but also their family members, who struggle to understand and support their loved one. Meethi’s interactions with her family are depicted with raw emotion, highlighting the strain that mental illness can place on relationships.
Yet, the film’s ambiguous resolution not only allows for multiple interpretations (and reflects the unpredictable nature of schizophrenia), but also may leave some viewers feeling unsatisfied or confused about the condition’s realities.
Dear Zindagi (2016) – Depression
Dear Zindagi features Alia Bhatt as Kaira, a young woman grappling with emotional issues and seeking therapy. The film is notable for normalizing therapy and addressing the stigma associated with mental health treatment. It moves away from Bollywood’s age-old formula of introducing a whimsical love interest to mitigate the protagonist’s internal conflicts and commitment issues. Instead, it shows Kaira putting effort into tracking the roots of her problems.
Kaira’s journey is portrayed with a refreshing degree of realism. Viewers can resonate with her self-sabotaging compulsive behaviors, like struggling to make decisions in romantic affairs, snapping at her parents despite wanting to connect with them. The film does an excellent job of depicting these everyday struggles, adding depth to her character and making Kaira relatable to many.
Dear Zindagi portrayed a realistic visualization of Kaira’s mental breakdowns. Instead of resorting to dramatic clichés often seen in Bollywood- such as sad female characters in a sad white salwar kameez sadly looking out a window or standing sadly in the rain with sad music playing- the film shows Kaira breaking down in more mundane, unsuspecting settings. For instance, her breakdown in a grocery store over ketchup or at her parents’ place in front of guests over seemingly trivial matters adds authenticity to her struggles.
The film portrays the process of seeking Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with a degree of realism, and does a commendable job of destigmatizing therapy. However, it can be argued that Kaira’s issues are resolved a bit too neatly, and linearly. Therapy is oversimplified and packaged into a relatively quick fix to complex emotional baggage, like deep-seated childhood neglect manifesting as abandonment issues in adulthood.
In reality, therapy is often a long-term process with ups and downs that require consistent effort and time. The film also shows Kaira’s therapist, played by Shah Rukh Khan, taking her on walks by the beach and engaging in informal, friendly conversations, for cinematic effect I suppose. In real life, therapy sessions are typically more structured and professional. While the film does touch on the social stigma associated with seeking therapy, it could delve deeper into the societal challenges and prejudices that individuals face when dealing with mental health issues. The brief mentions of social backlash might not fully capture the extent of the stigma and its impact on individuals’ willingness to seek help.
While Dear Zindagi does a commendable job of destigmatizing therapy, maybe don’t expect/depend on your psychologist to take you on a walk by the beach!
Karthik Calling Karthik (2010) – Schizophrenia
Karthik Calling Karthik is a psychological thriller that delves into the life of Karthik, a man suffering from schizophrenia. The film explores his hallucinations and how it penetrates his personal and professional life. Karthik, played by Farhan Akhtar, is depicted as a talented yet troubled individual whose life takes a dramatic turn due to his mental illness.
The narrative begins with Karthik feeling isolated and misunderstood in his professional and interpersonal relationships; this pressure leads to severe hallucinations, which are portrayed with intense and gripping visuals. These hallucinations become a central element of the plot, driving the suspense and mystery that define the film.
Karthik Calling Karthik brings attention to schizophrenia, a condition that is often misunderstood and stigmatized. The portrayal of Karthik’s hallucinations adds a layer of intrigue, making the narrative compelling and thought-provoking, with twists and turns that maintain suspense.
Farhan Akhtar effectively conveys the confusion, fear, and isolation that accompany schizophrenia, providing a nuanced depiction of the condition. However the film’s portrayal of schizophrenia is often dramatized for cinematic effect. The intense and suspenseful depiction of hallucinations may not accurately reflect the everyday realities of living with schizophrenia. The film’s focus on dramatic hallucinations can lead to misconceptions about the condition, as it emphasizes the most extreme aspects rather than the more common, subtle symptoms.
Viewers may come away with the impression that schizophrenia is primarily characterized by vivid and terrifying hallucinations, and/or schizophrenics pose a threat to their surroundings, neither is always the case. Schizophrenia can manifest in various ways, including delusions, disorganized thinking, and emotional disturbances, which are not as prominently featured in the film. And like all other films mentioned in the list, the resolution of Karthik’s struggles is definitely simplified, and misleading.
Less than 1% of the population suffer from schizophrenia and it is typically a lifelong disorder that is not reversible. While there’s no guaranteed “cure” where symptoms completely disappear, with effective, ongoing treatment and a support system, patients can learn to manage the condition, allowing them a meaningful and productive life. Hence the film’s tidy conclusion of “treating” schizophrenia might give viewers an unrealistic expectation of schizophrenia management.
Karthik Calling Karthik brings attention to schizophrenia with an engaging storyline and Farhan Akhtar- Deepika Padukone’s performances contribute to a compelling narrative. However, viewers should be mindful of the dramatized portrayal and seek a more nuanced understanding of schizophrenia beyond the cinematic depiction.
Problematic Portrayals of Mental Health
Jab We Met (2007)
In Jab We Met, the characters of Geet (Kareena Kapoor) and Aditya (Shahid Kapoor) experience depression, though it is not explicitly labeled. Geet and Aditya are the poster children for Bollywood’s romanticized take on depression. Aditya’s melancholy stems from personal and professional failures, and Geet is a bubbly chatterbox who hits rock bottom after a heartbreak. While their chemistry is undeniable, the film glosses over the gritty reality of depression. Aditya’s transformation from a suicidal wreck to a confident CEO feels like a fairy tale. And Geet’s recovery? You blink and they’re both happily dancing to hip hop beats.
Unfortunately, real-life depression isn’t cured by a spontaneous road trip and a new love interest (or a rebound), folks! Such romanticized portrayal lacks a deeper exploration into the reality of loving and supporting someone going through depression. If you or someone you know is showing signs of depression, you/they need professional help, and not just a kiss from a whirlwind romance.
If you or someone you know is showing signs of depression, you/they need professional help, and not just a kiss from a whirlwind romance.
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016) also features Ayan (Ranbir Kapoor), who falls into a deep depression after unrequited love with Anushka Sharma’s character, Alizeh. This movie too romanticizes his pain and glamorizes his “recovery” through encounters with Saba (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan). Are we tired of the pattern yet, Ranbir?
Tamasha (2015)
Tamasha features Ved (Ranbir Kapoor, again), who struggles with an identity crisis and depression. The film explores his internal conflict against the pressure to conform to societal expectations. It preaches the importance of self-acceptance and mental well-being.
Ved’s existential crisis is portrayed through a series of dramatic breakdowns and while this struggle (especially its grounds of conflict aka mismatched career path) might be culturally relatable to many viewers, the film’s resolution is a handful therapy sessions and a dramatic confrontation with his boss, and voila, he’s cured! Ved dramatically resigning from his corporate job to pursue his creative talent, is not always the solution most people can pursue in reality.
Mental health recovery is a long, long marathon, not a sprint; and hence, Tamasha misses the mark on this one.
The 2019 film, Chhichhore, also addresses the severe pressure and anxiety faced by students, leading to a tragic suicide attempt. While it highlights the importance of mental health, it emphasizes motivational speeches and camaraderie more than long-term mental health support.
Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)
Dil Dhadakne Do cheekily addresses different mental health concerns through all the characters of the movie broadly and highlights the impact of societal and familial expectations on mental health. Priyanka Chopra’s Ayesha is a successful entrepreneur trapped in a loveless marriage and a dysfunctional family. Ayesha’s characterization could have been a powerful exploration of anxiety and the impact of familial pressure, but the film chooses to keep her struggles as a subplot, missing an opportunity for a more profound narrative. Her anxiety manifests in her interactions with her controlling parents and her strained relationship with her husband.
The film also hints at other mental health issues within the family. Ayesha’s mother (Shefali Shah) exhibits signs of an eating disorder, possibly binge eating, in response to her cheating husband’s fat-shaming comments. Her unhealthy relationship with treating food as a coping mechanism is portrayed in limited scenes. Ayesha’s anxiety and her mother’s eating disorder are direct results of the pressure from the patriarch, yet the film does not fully address these connections, nor does it explicitly tackle how her mother’s marital insecurities and internalized misogyny are projected on Ayesha.
Similarly, Ayesha’s father (Anil Kapoor) himself has not escaped anxiety himself and shows signs of an unprescribed pill addiction, which leads to a major health collapse. Despite these significant issues, the plot quickly moves past them, focusing instead on the abrupt resolution of their conflicts in the face of a bigger parental emergency aka rescuing the son.
While the film is visually appealing, with its lavish cruise setting and star-studded cast, it personally didn’t leave upto its potential in storytelling. The narrative is filled with interesting ideas, but leaves viewers with a sense of unfinished drama.
Kapoor & Sons (2016)
Kapoor & Sons skillfully portrays a dysfunctional family, the family’s collective grief and hints at individual mental health issues- providing a nuanced look at how mental health can affect family dynamics and vice versa. The film’s strength lies in its realistic depiction of complex, overlapping family dynamics and it is a step in the right direction, but their mental health issues are somewhat overshadowed by the family drama.
The film broaches various mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, and grief. Rahul (Fawad Khan) struggles with his sexuality and the pressure/guilt inherent in brown upbringing where he worries his mother’s (family’s) love is conditional, while Arjun (Sidharth Malhotra) deals with feelings of inadequacy from his parents and sibling rivalry. Their mother, Sunita (Ratna Pathak Shah), exhibits signs of depression and emotional distress, exacerbated by her strained marriage with unfaithful husband, Harsh (Rajat Kapoor).
But how do you support one another when you yourselves are the triggers?
The film could have delved deeper into how the family members’ mental health issues impact each other and how they navigate these challenges together. Supportive family environment is often considered the biggest factor behind recovery or coping with chronic mental illness, but how do you support one another when you yourselves are the triggers?
Anjaana Anjaani (2010)
This film revolves around two characters, Aakash (Ranbir Kapoor) and Kiara (Priyanka Chopra), who meet while attempting suicide. For a script that worked with such dark psychological themes, its overall portrayal falls flat, falling victim to superficial resolution.
While it is well-intentioned and brings attention to depression and suicidal thoughts, the characters finding happiness/meaning of life through a series of quirky adventures/night outs with incredible music tracks makes you question- is real-life mental health recovery really this straightforward?
The central narrative focuses on the protagonists’ spontaneous road trips, bucket list adventures, and budding romance, which are depicted as quick fixes to their deep-seated emotional issues. The film’s lighthearted approach to very serious themes can undermine the gravity of the characters’ struggles.
This mischaracterization suggests that suicidal ideation can be overcome through fun activities and new relationships. In reality, depression and suicidal thoughts require urgent professional help, long-term therapy, and significant personal effort to manage.
Critique of Portrayals
While Bollywood has made commendable efforts to bring mental health issues to the forefront, many films still romanticize mental health issues, presenting them as protagonist’s personal problems that can be easily resolved through love or a change in environment– like maybe quitting a job and going on a vacation. This undermines the real struggles faced by individuals with mental health conditions.
Often, the portrayal of mental health issues fails to capture the complexity of these conditions. Characters’ mental health struggles are sometimes used as plot devices rather than being explored with the seriousness they deserve. There is still a blatant lack of diverse and accurate portrayals. Conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression are often either misrepresented or not depicted at all.
Moreover, Bollywood has yet to explore how mental health intersects with other aspects of identity. Mentally ill people do not exist in a vacuum; they are affected by the sociocultural identities around them too. For example, a character dealing with depression who is also navigating the challenges of being LGBTQ+ or a person of a minority religion could provide a richer, more authentic portrayal. My Name is Khan and Kapoor & Sons are widely loved because they touch on neurodivergence, religion, sexuality, dysfunctional family dynamics and how these intersect with mental health. We need to see more such intersectional representation of complex mentally ill characters.
Mentally ill people do not exist in a vacuum.
Unfortunately some Bollywood films depict some characters with mental health issues in a way that reinforces negative stereotypes. For example, Karthik Calling Karthik highly dramatizes schizophrenia for cinematic effect. The plot sensationalizes a non-essential facade of schizophrenia (hallucinations) and associates it with manipulation and intentional harm.
Same is the case with Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) which optimistically addressed dissociative identity disorder against folk mythology and superstitions but the subsequent sequels of the franchise have added glamour, dramatization, thrill, paranormal comedy to combine it into commercial drama for audience engagement.
Remember the old Bollywood movie Raja (1995) starring Sanjay Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit Nene that used a subplot involving the autistic older brother committing sexual assault? Well, in 2020 Bulbbul released featuring an autistic antagonist who commits sexual assault, raising questions- is this really necessary for the plot? 25 years later, should we not know better? Such insensitive depiction can perpetuate harmful misconception about hypersexual behaviour of autistic people, their alleged inability to respect boundaries and contribute to stigma around accepting them. This also risks buttressing the stereotype that individuals on the spectrum are dangerous, animalistic and/or unpredictable.
Bollywood has the potential to influence societal perceptions and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. By weaving engaging stories around complex characters, filmmakers can contribute to a more inclusive and empathetic understanding of mental health, help break down stereotypes and foster a more supportive environment for individuals dealing with mental health challenges.
As Bollywood continues to evolve, its high time it moved beyond the glossy, romanticized narratives and presented mental health with the depth and sensitivity it deserves. For a more accurate and empathetic portrayal, filmmakers must engage with mental health professionals and individuals with lived experiences to create more authentic and impactful representations. Next time you watch a Bollywood film, keep an eye out for the subtle (and not-so-subtle) portrayals of mental health. And remember, real-life mental health journeys are far more complex and deserve our understanding and support.