People have been compelled throughout the course of the previous few years to take their mental health much more seriously. As a result of the fact that we were confined to our homes for the duration of the epidemic, many of us were compelled to face our concerns and other mental challenges. We have, as a whole, become more sensitive to talks revolving around mental health. While some individuals have found relief in therapy, others have discovered the benefits of rethinking their lifestyle in accordance with their requirements.

Bollywood films have frequently been able to capture the mood and spirit of the era in which they were made. Back in the day, discussions about mental health were mainly limited to paagal and sanki, which were common stereotypes that were shown in popular films at the time. However, the previous few decades have done their part in challenging the status quo by normalising conversations about mental health at a time when it was regarded as a significant taboo. This was done at a time when the status quo was being challenged.

The Indian film industry has come a long way in terms of depicting mental health in a manner that is more nuanced and compassionate. This is due to the production of films that have educated the general public about the many different mental illnesses that can affect a person. In recognition of World Mental Health Day 2023, we have compiled a list of five Bollywood films that you can watch right now to gain a deeper understanding and empathy for people who may be battling with their mental health. You can start watching any of these films right now.

Taare Zameen Par

A young child named Ishaan Awasthi, who is diagnosed with dyslexia, is the protagonist of Aamir Khan’s film Taare Zameen Par. The movie focuses on the challenges that Ishaan faces as a result of his condition. The video demonstrates how the school system in India ignores neurodiverse children and their individual approaches to learning, which the film portrays as neglect and ignorance. Ishaan is played by Darsheel Safary, who gives a great performance, while Aamir Khan, who plays Ishaan’s tutor and guide, also contributes to the emotionally compelling viewing experience. The movie portrays the struggles that children with learning difficulties go through in a sympathetic manner and underlines how important it is to understand and embrace these youngsters.

Chhichhore

The film Chhichhore, which was directed by Nitesh Tiwari, addresses serious topics such as the pressures of academic life, suicidal ideation, and mental health. Tahir Raj Bhasin and Naveen Polishetty play minor roles, while the late Sushant Singh Rajput and Shraddha Kapoor play the key roles in the film. The story of the movie centres around a group of friends from college who, many years after graduation, meet together to talk about their time together in school. The problems that young people confront in the current education system, which places an excessive focus on academic success and creates a culture of competition, are depicted in a sympathetic manner in the movie.

Barfi!

Another film starring Ranbir Kapoor, Barfi! depicts the narrative of a man who is deaf and dumb and his connections with two women, one of whom is autistic. Kapoor plays the lead role of the man. The movie has underlying messages about love and accepting others who are different from us, as well as having an understanding of their perspectives. In addition to that, it demonstrates the difficulties that people who have impairments go through on a daily basis and how they manage to get around in the world.

Judgementall Hai Kya

Judgementall Hai Kya is a psychological thriller that examines the topic of mental health via the perspective of its protagonist, Kangana Ranaut, who is played by Rajkummar Rao. Judgementall Hai Kya stars Kangana Ranaut and Rajkummar Rao. She plays the role of a lady who is afflicted with hallucinations and delusions, and the plot of the movie follows her as she goes on a journey of self-discovery while coping with the effects of her actions. The film provides an interesting take on mental illness, and the principal actors provide amazing performances in it.

Dear Zindagi

Gauri Shinde is the director of the coming-of-age movie Dear Zindagi, which delves into topics such as depression, counselling, and mental health in general. In the film, Alia Bhatt plays the major part of Kaira, a young filmmaker who is dealing with an ongoing sense of dissatisfaction. She finds comfort in the character of Dr. Jehangir Khan, a psychotherapist portrayed by Shah Rukh Khan, who guides her through the process of confronting her worries and phobias. The movie does a fantastic job of raising awareness among viewers about the challenges faced by those who are coping with issues related to their mental health, all without being overly preachy or heavy-handed in its delivery of its message.

In conclusion, films from the Bollywood film industry have significantly improved in their depiction of mental health. Bollywood has come a long way in its treatment of mental health, from utilising it as a narrative device to making films that handle mental health issues with nuance and compassion. These films help remove the stigma associated with talking about mental health and serve as a reminder of the importance of such conversations.

These films serve as a reminder that we are not alone in dealing with the mental health effects of the current pandemic, and that it is acceptable to ask for assistance. They inspire us to have sympathy and understanding for people struggling with mental health problems, and they give us reason to believe that those people can get well.