We joke, we laugh, we carry on, often hiding what we really feel. For years, Bollywood did the same. It gave us larger-than-life fantasies but rarely showed what went on inside our minds. Mental health was often ignored, exaggerated, or lost in plot twists. But that’s starting to change. A handful of films have broken the silence around mental health, giving us more than just entertainment. They’ve started conversations we’ve long avoided. Gone are the days when inner battles were brushed under the carpet or turned into dramatic plot twists. Now, we’re seeing stories that feel like our own, stories that make us pause, breathe, and think, “Yeah, I’ve felt that too.”.
5 Bollywood Films that Broke the Mental Health Stigma
Shivangi Sharma, Chief Entertainment Officer at Excitel curates five Bollywood films that helped break the mental health stigma, and gave many of us the courage to say, “It’s okay to not be okay.”
1. When Ved lost himself to Zindagi ka Tamasha (Tamasha)
Ever catch yourself thinking, “Wahi karunga. Jo roz kiya hai. Woh firse karunga, firse karunga, firse karunga?” That one line from Tamasha hits hard when you're stuck in a job, a routine, or a version of yourself that feels nothing like you. Imtiaz Ali’s Tamasha isn’t just a love story it’s about the gap between who you are and who you’re expected to be. Ved is all of us at some point, putting on a mask, chasing checkboxes, and burning out in silence. It shows how pushing down your true self can slowly turn into something much heavier.
2. Every Child is not a Rank, but a Rhythm (Taare Zameen Par)
"Khayal karna bahut zaroori hai...is mein ilaaj ki shakti hai...ek marham hai jisse dard mitta hai.” This line from Taare Zameen Par hits you hard, because sometimes, care is all you truly need. The film did more than highlight dyslexia; it challenged how we label children. From ‘lazy’ and ‘careless,’ it shifted the narrative to ‘misunderstood’ and ‘unsupported.’ It urged parents and teachers to pause and ask: are we pushing too hard? More importantly, are we truly listening to what children are trying to say?
3. Lessons learned beyond marks (Chhichhore)
In a country obsessed with results, Chhichhore offered a gut-punch reminder about the consequences of extreme academic pressure. When a young boy attempts suicide after failing an exam, his parents reflect on their own carefree college days to help him recover. “Dusro se haarke loser kehlane se kahin zyada bura hai...khud se haarke loser kehlana.” The film talks about failure, suicide, and the toxic glorification of perfection. It told viewers, especially students and parents, that your worth is not tied to your marksheet.
4. Kamzori nahin, Ms. Mathur ki pehchan hai hichki (Hichki)
How often do we let a label chip away at our confidence, or worse, our dreams? Hichki flips that script. Rani Mukerji’s character has Tourette Syndrome, but it’s the sting of being judged that hurts more than the tics. Yet, she rises, owning her space in a classroom society had given up on. Hichki isn’t just about a disorder; it’s about quiet battles, dignity, and refusing to let your voice be silenced.
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5. Love, Laughter, and Neurodivergence (Barfi!)
“Hum sab kuch keh ke bhi kuch nahi kehte, Barfi bina bole sab keh gaya.” Barfi! doesn’t define or diagnose, but speaks volumes about love, neurodivergence, and being understood. Barfi and Jhilmil don’t fit the usual mold and that’s what makes their story unforgettable. It’s not about fixing flaws but embracing them. In a world chasing perfection, Barfi! quietly breaks stereotypes around disability and mental health.
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Image Credits: IMDb
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