The glitz and glamour of Bollywood often conceal a deeply human and often fragile emotional landscape. Actor Arjun Kapoor recently offered a powerful glimpse into his own struggles, opening up about his journey through grief, obesity, and the pressures of sudden fame, crediting therapy as the turning point that helped him "find myself again."

Speaking at the FICCI Young Leaders Summit in Mumbai, the actor’s candidness provided a much-needed reminder that vulnerability is not a weakness but an act of courage. His admission, “Even the strongest ones are sometimes messed up in their heads,” resonates beyond the entertainment industry, directly challenging the deeply ingrained stigma surrounding mental health.

The Pandemic Pause: Recognizing a Decade of Unaddressed Pain

Arjun Kapoor revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic, with its forced moment of global pause, served as an unexpected catalyst for self-reflection. He admitted to realizing he had spent a decade running away from his pain, primarily after the profound loss of his mother, Mona Shourie Kapoor, in 2012, just 45 days before the release of his debut film, Ishaqzaade.

“I was mourning and celebrating at the same time,” he shared, detailing the emotional storm of becoming a star overnight while simultaneously grappling with his deepest personal grief. This emotional conflict, coupled with a long battle with obesity, which he called a four-year-long "mental battle" as much as a physical one, led him to finally seek professional help. The pandemic simply created the space for him to acknowledge what his body and mind had been signaling for years.

Therapy: An Outlet for Healing and Resilience

For Arjun Kapoor, therapy was not a sign of being "messed up," but a safe outlet to process complex, layered emotions. He urged the audience to understand that professional help provides a necessary, objective space for emotional expression.

His story highlights a common challenge faced by many public figures: constantly being perceived as "sorted" or having it all together, which prevents them from seeking help. By talking openly about his emotional healing, he emphasized that resilience is forged not by ignoring pain, but by confronting it. He stated that losing a "backbone" at a young age armed him with the conviction to face anything, a resilience that was solidified through acknowledging his need for emotional care.

Normalizing the Conversation: Bollywood’s Role in Breaking Stigma

Arjun Kapoor’s outspokenness adds a significant male voice to the growing chorus of Bollywood celebrities—including Deepika Padukone and Anushka Sharma—who have championed mental health awareness. When influential figures share their journeys of seeking therapy, it has a monumental impact on societal perceptions, particularly in a culture where seeking psychological help is often incorrectly equated with instability.

By using the FICCI platform to advocate for normalising therapy, Arjun Kapoor is contributing to a vital shift. His message to the youth and his peers is clear: "There's nothing wrong with being vulnerable. The strongest people are those who can acknowledge their emotions... You can be emotional and still be powerful." His hope is that the entertainment world can continue to create safe spaces, inspiring countless others to shed their shame and prioritize their emotional well-being.
Read Also: Blessing, Not Burden: Dulquer Salmaan on Owning the Mammootty Legacy
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