5 Hindi films that address mental health

From Priyanka Chopra’s Anjaana Anjaani to Alia’s Dear Zindagi, movies that addressed mental health well

Updated: Jun 25th, 2023

Scene featuring Deepika  Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor from Imtiaz Ali's Tamasha (image: screengrab from trailer)

Physical fitness is a rage among the masses but mental health is often ignored. With breakthroughs in research offering new treatments, every generation is addressing mental health in some way or the other. The current generation faced the pandemic which has played a huge role in increasing awareness about mental health due its dramatic impact over all demographics. The youth in particular is a lot more open in addressing this concern. 

Here we list down some movies that have addressed the concern over mental health in more ways than one.

1.  Anjaana Anjaani (2010)

Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor in Anjaana Anjaani (image: trailer screengrab)

A feel-good movie, it talks about the mental illness of both the actors in the form of anxiety and suicidal tendencies. The story revolves around Ranbir Kapoor (Akash) and Priyanka Chopra (Kiara). Akash has acute stress disorder after he gets bankrupt, while Kiara falls into depression after she gets cheated on by her fiancée.

2. Karthik Calling Karthik (2016)

Farhan Akhtar in Karthik Calling Karthik (image: film poster)

A psychological thriller film starring Farhan Akhtar in the lead with Deepika Padukone. The movie sheds light on the serious issues of identity disorder and schizophrenia. Karthik is an introvert and an abused loner who continuously blames himself for the death of his brother. With a jaw-dropping climax, KCK talks about mental health in a very interesting way.

3. Tamasha (2015):

Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor in Tamasha (image: still from Tamasha)

This Imtiaz Ali directorial has won rave reviews for its portrayal of intricately layered human personalities. The film follows the path of Ved (Ranbir Kapoor) and Tara (Deepika Padukone). Nowhere in the film do they even mention mental health. The huge debate among the film goers of what is Ved’s health issue, is it borderline personality disorder or is he bipolar or is he just confused about his self identity, in itself addresses the layers of mental health concerns the movie attempts to address. Often people do not even know what they are dealing with but still do not seek professional help.

4. A Death in the Gunj (2016):

A Death in the Gunj starring Kalki Koechlin and Vikrant Massey (image: poster)

This movie is an intriguing tale of a dysfunctional family and a character named Shutu (Vikrant Massey). The movie talks about how repeated abuse and ill-managed emotions after a loss of a loved one can keep adding to the trauma one goes through, and how bottling that trauma up is even more dangerous. Not an easy watch by any means, this directorial debut by Konkana Sen Sharma raises many questions about family dynamics and addresses how absence of compassion leads to a trainwreck of a tragedy.

5. Dear Zindagi (2016):

Alia Bhatt and Shahrukh Khan in Dear Zindagi (image: still from Dear Zindagi)

This movie has motivated many to seek help from a mental health professional by shattering  the stereotypes and hesitations. The movie is simple and beautiful and talks about the female lead, Alia Bhatt, going through anxiety attacks and insomnia. She crosses paths with a psychiatrist, played by Shah Rukh Khan, during her trying times and this works for her. "Love you Zindagi”, after all!

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