Secret Superstar actress Zaira Wasim revealed in a lengthy Instagram post that she has been suffering from depression for the past four years.
The 17-year-old National award-winning actress said she needed a “complete break” from work and school to figure things out. She also admitted to having suicidal thoughts.
“I’m writing this to admit and confess that I, for a very long time have been suffering from severe anxiety and depression. It’s almost been four years and I’ve always been embarrassed and scared to admit it not only because of the stigma that goes around with the word depression with it but most importantly because of always being told that ‘You’re too young to be depressed’ or ‘It’s just a phase’,” Zaira wrote in her post.
Wasim said there were days when she had popped five antidepressants, and on occasions she even had to be rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night. She has also had to deal with hallucinations, unexplained fatigue, body ache, self loathing, nervous breakdowns and suicidal thoughts.
Wasim had her first panic attack when she was 12. She was always made to believe that there was nothing wrong with her. “But I knew- I always did and I still do. I remember being told that there’s no such thing as depression, it only happens to people to were above 25. But I could never actually accept the fact that I suffer from a disorder called depression- that affects almost 350 million people worldwide; without asking for their permission to ruin their mental and emotional state or asking them their age,” she said.
Wasim is not the first Bollywood actress to open up about depression. Deepika Padukone recently revealed that talking about her battle with depression in 2015 was instrumental in changing her life.
"For various reasons, there’s a stigma attached to mental illness, which is why people choose not to talk about it. There were several reasons I chose to speak up. One, because it transformed my life in many ways. It was the most difficult experience I’ve been through, but it also taught me a lot about myself and about life,” Padukone told Vogue.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 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.