Another Bollywood actor, Sandeep Nahar, who had appeared in films like MS Dhoni: The Untold Story and Kesari, committed suicide recently. Ever since Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide in June of last year, the pressures of stardom have been debated far and wide. Some seem to cope with fame rather well, whereas others crumble. Why is that? Do some people have it harder than others, or are some people just made of sterner stuff?

A number of people have been targeting celebrities like Karan Johar. Johar has been hailed as the flag bearer of nepotism for launching the careers of child-stars, through his company Dharma Productions. Child-stars may find it easier than others to get a foot in the door, but quite a few have been forgotten after a string of flops. For a lot of newcomers who don’t have any connections in the industry though, getting access to that first opportunity can be virtually impossible. Because the competition is cut-throat, with millions flocking to Mumbai to try their luck in the film industry, it eventually boils down to just chance.

There is a famous saying that an actor is only as good as his last film. Generally speaking, the powers that be in Bollywood also can make or break careers, as we saw in Rajput’s case. Apparently, Nahar had also mentioned forces working behind the scenes, who have the power to influence decisions to their favour. Why does this surprise us though? Does it not happen everywhere? Why should the entertainment industry be any different?

The fame, adulation and opulence associated with the industry compels many to turn a blind eye to its dark side. Nothing succeeds like success, and most people only tend to think of successful people when considering a career in the entertainment industry. That is actually true for every profession because just like history is written by the victors, only the successful people choose to pen down their experiences. I have yet to come across someone not considered successful, in worldly terms, penning down their life experiences for people to learn from, although such a person’s experiences might be of more value.

Mental health issues should not be stigmatised and counselling and therapy should be accessible to everyone. A healthy mind and a healthy body complement each other. Both are equally important and although there is an obsession with always looking one’s best in the fickle world of entertainment where there is always someone younger, smarter and prettier to replace you, mental health and emotional well-being should never be neglected.

Akshaye Khanna once said in an interview that dealing with success is harder than dealing with failure. Just like happiness, success is a journey and not a destination. The road to success is paved with many stumbling blocks. Rather than romanticising the past or fantasising about the future, one should try to live in the present and enjoy and learn from what is. Success and failure, both teach us valuable life lessons.

It is also important to surround oneself with genuine people. Very few of us are ever truly content with what we have in life. Some, who have reached the pinnacle of their career, may be insecure and vulnerable. Success attracts all sorts of negativity, including jealousy and unwanted negative attention. Some people, like the trolls on twitter, make a hobby (or even a living) off posting inflammatory and provocative material on public forums about successful individuals. They are paid handsome sums to humiliate celebrities on public platforms, and the probability of going viral is higher if the assault is particularly vicious and brutal. Success is not always what it is made out to be or what people imagine it to be.

This article is not meant to dissuade people from pursuing their dreams but to advise keep things in perspective. When young and promising individuals choose to end their lives out of sheer desperation, it is greatly distressing. A circle of genuine friends and a support system becomes crucial for individuals associated with the entertainment industry, with its mind-boggling highs and lows, in order to help them cope with the rigours, stresses and pressures.

Mental health issues should not be stigmatised and counselling and therapy should be accessible to everyone. A healthy mind and a healthy body complement each other. Both are equally important and although there is an obsession with always looking one’s best in the fickle world of entertainment where there is always someone younger, smarter and prettier to replace you, mental health and emotional well-being should never be neglected. Symptoms of depression and anxiety should be identified in the initial stages so that the root cause can be addressed. We must remove the stigma around mental health and encourage more people to seek help without any fear of backlash or criticism.

The writer is an educationist and can be reached at gaiteeara@hotmail.com