Actor Rhea Chakraborty, who was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau in September 2020 on drug-related charges, continues to reflect on her time in jail. In a candid conversation with rapper-singer Yo Yo Honey Singh on her podcast, she opened up about the experience.

Recalling her time in solitary confinement, Chakraborty described the concept of “suicide watch,” which is often employed for individuals involved in media-sensitive cases to prevent any extreme actions: “During that time, I could only speak to two women who were watching over me. I ended up talking a lot about mental health to them.”

“For 15 days, I spoke extensively about mental health, trying to process everything happening in my life. On the 16th day, one of the women told me, ‘I’m going back to my village. People used to tie my husband to a Peepal tree, believing he was possessed. But after listening to you, I think he may be suffering from the same thing’.”

She added, “She thanked me for helping her understand. On the day I got bail, she came to see me and said, ‘You were right — he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder’. Sometimes, I wonder if my time in jail had a greater purpose.”