Solid support from friends and family is what helped actor Suniel Shetty to stay mentally strong and fit. At a recent event - the launch of the mental health app Lets Get Happi - the actor spoke about his tryst with mental health. “For us, it is a lot about success, failure, and those Fridays. Not just because your film didn’t do well, but people judge you, call you a failure, and say, ‘Arrey woh Suniel Shetty… uski picture nahi chali, woh bakwas hai’. That disturbs you. But when you have a family to go back to, who isn’t bothered about that, then you are fortunate,” he shared.

Suniel further explained that with age and maturity, he realized that Fridays shouldn’t drive his wheels of happiness. “I thought, is this Friday going to dictate how I am feeling? Happy when my Friday is good and sad when it isn’t? Happiness has nothing to do with financial success. It is about what you like doing. I have noted down every aspect of my family that makes me happy,” he shared.

The Dhadkan actor, who has always been known for his macho image on screen, admits that he feels vulnerable very often, especially when it comes to family and tragic situations. “I cry very easily. We were always told men shouldn’t cry, and people would say, ‘Ladki jaise kya rota hai.’ I feel that ladki jaise royega tab jaake mard banega. When you express yourself, people reach out to you,” he shares.

As we speak about vulnerability, he opens up about the darkest phase of his life. “I felt lonely when my dad was unwell and paralyzed. Suddenly, I started believing I hadn’t spent enough time with him. That’s when I was very low because I knew I was losing him. However, in those last days, I spent the most beautiful moments with him. The day he passed away, despite the grief, I felt a positive energy within me. He brought that change. From a zero career to being alive and back to being relevant, it’s someone like him who could do it. Also, if you disappear for seven-eight years, people forget you,” he shares.