Actress Paige Sandhu, who is known for playing Meena Jutla in the ITV soap Emmerdale, has spoken about being housebound during a battle with anxiety.
In a revealing new interview, she said that she developed the mental health problem after leaving London’s Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
The actress’ anxiety levels were sometimes so high, she was unable to leave her home as she did not feel particularly safe.
Speaking to a publication, she said, “I felt unsafe a lot. Not like someone was going to attack me. I just did not feel comfortable, especially around people that I did not know.
“It was probably social anxiety, fear of judgement, and fear about the future.
“When I left drama school, I moved back with my family and I became quite reclusive.
Also Read
BAFTA: Best actress Joanna Scanlon 'inspired' by director Aleem Khan’s mother
Netflix renews Maitreyi Ramakrishnan’s Never Have I Ever for fourth and final season
“I did not leave the house a lot, I had terrible insomnia and suffered from food allergies and intolerances. I read self-help books, had therapy, and went to a nutritionist. I found it really helpful, especially when I was in the thick of anxiety.
“I am so grateful for that time now because I taught myself how to really take care of my emotions and my mental health.”
Paige kick-started her acting career with appearances in Doctors and Endeavor, before she bagged the role of Meena Jutla in Emmerdale.
She was crowned Best Villain at last year’s Inside Soap Awards and given a nod for Best Newcomer too. She is set to leave the soap this year, after the conclusion of Meena's serial killer arc.
However, Paige has promised that the viewers are going to enjoy the ending.
“The ending’s incredible, better than I could ever have imagined, and I have already started crying,” she told another publication.
“Meena is a psychopath and believes nobody will ever get the better of her. Psychopaths are incapable of feeling fear like we can,” she added.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.