Three decades into her career, Smita Bansal still feels butterflies before stepping onto a new set. “I get extremely nervous,” admits the actor, who transitioned from lead roles to character parts with Balika Vadhu (2008). As she gears up to play the head dean in 108 Base Hospital Uri, Bansal speaks to mid-day about choosing finite television, embracing mother roles on screen, and why the medium needs a revamp. Excerpts from the interview.

We have been saying that content on television is becoming repetitive and needs a change for long. I believe finite series have more to offer. You get to work more on your character because you know the story from the beginning to its end and there is a proper graph. The story doesn’t change every week because of TRPs. It is also a challenge for the writers to keep the audience hooked for years. When I started doing TV [in the 1990s], we had finite series and weekly shows. That’s why I support different kinds of work coming in.

I shot The Pyramid Scheme while filming Bhagya Lakshmi. My issue is that TV wasn’t offering enough weekend programming. We have limited content during that slot. But 108 Base Hospital Uri is set in a real space. Even though it is a medical drama, it focuses on the real challenges army doctors face, rather than only the human side.

What will work and what won’t is something no one has really understood. When Balika Vadhu was made, we had no idea how people would receive it until the first week. Audiences become used to a certain kind of content, so it becomes easier for them to accept it. Even if she gets married several times or is kidnapped often, the audience stays invested. I think it is a collective responsibility to [move with the times]. By the time a new-format show is launched and begins finding acceptance, the makers have already decided to pull the plug. You have to give audiences the time to develop a taste for something new. They should also demand better content and reject stories that don’t make sense. TV needs a revamp.

When I moved to character roles with Balika Vadhu, it happened organically. Even after the leap, the decision wasn’t difficult because the show was hugely popular. Lead actors spend 14 to 16 hours on set and work almost 30 days a month. I was entering motherhood and didn’t want to stay away from my child for long. So, stepping away was a conscious decision. There’s a reason behind playing mother on screen. After the hero and heroine, the mother is usually the most prominent character in a TV show. There’s also the factor of screen age. After Balika Vadhu, it would have been difficult for audiences to accept me in much younger roles.

Our producer, Samar Khan, comes from an army background, so he made us aware of everything we needed to know. It’s not that we underwent intensive action training, though I’m sure Erica [Fernandes] and Gashmeer [Mahajani] did that too. We learnt army etiquette, basic gun handling, and combat. We were also trained in how doctors and nurses interact in a hospital. A doctor was present on set to teach us how to hold medical instruments and follow the correct procedures. We also watched medical documentaries to ensure there were no technical errors.

For audiences, Avika Gor continues to remain synonymous with Anandi from the TV show Balika Vadhu, which she starred in at a very young age. Nearly 18 years later, she says people still address her by the character’s name — something she cherishes.

“I feel so proud. I don’t want people to stop calling me that. In an actor’s life, very few characters get the opportunity to become part of someone’s family. I love being Anandi, and I would want that till the end of time” she says.

Working as a child actor also meant there were moments when she questioned whether acting was truly what she wanted to pursue in the long term. She admits there was a phase during her college days when she consciously stepped away to reassess her priorities.

“I took a break and eventually realized that acting was what I wanted to pursue after all. People have seen my journey — from getting married on screen at an early age to now being married in real life, so having my life in the public eye doesn’t affect me,” she says.

The actress also points out that she has always tried to be honest about her struggles and beliefs. She adds, “I’ve spoken about my transformation, about hating myself and the journey of starting to like myself. I’ve rejected endorsements of products I don’t believe in. I’ve always been honest about who I am.”

Avika recently moved base from Mumbai to Bangkok with her husband, Milind Chandwani. Talking about it, she says, “We were always in a long-distance relationship while dating because of our work and studies. He received a great opportunity on the professional front, and there was no reason for us to turn it down. It was important for his growth and career, and at the same time, as newlyweds, it also gave us our space.”

While Bangkok is now home, Avika continues to travel for shoots across Mumbai, Hyderabad and other locations. “I am going to be all over,” she smiles, adding that the arrangement works because both she and Milind make conscious efforts to spend time together despite packed schedules.

“A few days ago, he surprised me by coming to Hyderabad just to spend some time together. I also like the idea of doing regular things, such as taking the metro and buying groceries in Bangkok — things that I haven’t done in Mumbai,” she says.

From television breakout to National Award-winning lead, Vikrant Massey has redefined the “outsider” success story. The 12th Fail star recently sat down with the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) in Hyderabad to discuss his transition to films and the widespread acclaim following his 71st National Film Award win.

Money was the reason I stepped out of my home at the age of 16. My goal then was simple – to earn for education, a home, and eventually Rs. 1 lakh a month. I grew up in Andheri Versova, where all the shootings used to happen. I was one of those kids standing in a crowd, watching Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, and Sanjay Dutt shoot from the sidelines. I was fascinated by the lights, the walkie-talkies, and people running around with scripts.

Despite making a mark on TV with shows like Balika Vadhu, I faced skepticism when he transitioned to films. There was this unfortunate preconceived notion that TV actors can’t act. That was the first sting, the first jab I took on my chin. It honestly surprised me, because I felt these people didn’t know where actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Shah Rukh Khan, Om Puri, Irrfan Khan came from. Some of the greatest stalwarts came from television. Amid many challenges, one thing I always felt very strongly, and still continue to hold on to, is that what I do in front of the camera, between action and cut, is what matters the most.

Today, with 21 years of experience, I can honestly say that people who are sitting at a certain stature are there because of the quality of work and dedication. Success doesn’t come easily; you have to work relentlessly for it. For every role, I must perform and position myself as a strong contender. Yes, there is that insider-outsider divide, but it’s only up until access.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra sir told me very honestly, ‘I want to make a theatrical film, but OTT gives you Vikrant Massey for free — why would anyone come to see you in a theatre?’ That was brutal, but it was true. I was very lucky to be part of 12th Fail. People didn’t see the story of an IPS officer; they started seeing themselves. I would quietly enter theatres in the final minutes, sit in the last row and watch people completely immersed. Once, an elderly man sitting next to me started weeping, his chest was shaking, and he held my hand very tightly. That was the moment I realised I had done something that would last.

It was in July 2008 that the TV show, Balika Vadhu, first aired. With the sensitive subject of child marriage at its centre, the show became a huge success in no time. As it clocks 15 years, actor Anup Soni, who played the supportive father-in-law of the young bride (played by actor Avika Gor) for six years, reveals that the he had turned down the show twice before finally accepting it.

He recalls, “I had taken a break from acting during that period and I told them (the makers) that. Then, they approached me again saying, ‘Ek baar story sunn lo’. I did, and I found it interesting. But, this show was going to air on a new channel and I thought itne channels toh already hain. So I rejected it again!”

It was when he was approached for a third time that Soni took it as a “sign” and said yes to the show that ended in 2016. “Plus, my dear friend Smita Bansal, who played my wife in the show, also said, ‘Yaar kar le show’,” he recounts.

The 48-year-old shares that the show has a fanbase even in countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam, where it was dubbed and aired.

He says, “My scientist friend in Vietnam [still] tells me, I will have to have my arm around you when we go out on the streets or else we will get mobbed!’ People there are crazy about Balika Vadhu.”

Late actor Surekha Sikri, who is known for her roles in the TV show Balika Vadhu and films such as Zubeidaa (2001) and Badhaai Ho (2018), lives on through her works. On her birth anniversary, her on-screen son from Balika Vadhu, actor Anup Soni, revisits precious moments spent with her, both on and off the set.

Talking about their shared alma mater, Soni says, “Both of us were from the National School of Drama (NSD). She was much senior than me and was a legend! She was a theatre tycoon.”

The actor recollects memories of his and actor Satyajit Sharma’s intellectual discussions with Sikri and shares, “Satyajit, who played my brother [on the show], is also from NSD. So, Surekha ji, Satyajit and I used to often discuss our institute. She was also very well-read and a sharp person, and she used to have intellectual discussions with us.”

The 48-year-old emphasizes that Sikri had already achieved heights when the two started working together on the daily soap. “We worked together for almost six years. I noticed [on the sets] that her dedication was so great that she used to prepare for her scenes on a daily basis. She used to read and correct her lines very meticulously,” he adds. 

Although Sikri played the strict Dadisa on the show, Soni shares that she was nothing like that in real life. “She used to do cute little things, yet people were scared of her on the sets as she was very particular about work,” he recalls.

She was the original Balika Vadhu of TV and audiences loved her portrayal of the young, innocent Anandi. But Avika Gor grew up too soon on the small screen, and at 14, she was seen playing a grown-up in Sasural Simar Ka. But that didn’t hamper her career, it actually helped her hone her craft, she says.

At 24 today, Avika is happy with the way her career has shaped up. She has made a name for herself in the Telugu film industry and is now gearing up for her Bollywood debut. She has also turned producer and is in the process of making her first South film. In a candid chat, Avika talks about her different-yet-normal childhood, her career plans and how she manages her long-distance relationship. Excerpts...

It was a conscious decision. I was doing Sasural Simar Ka when I was around 14, but I was playing a 20-year-old on the show. So, I knew that people were looking at me as a grown-up. Around that time, I was approached for a few Hindi film projects, but they were not the kind that I would want to get launched with. I decided to start with South movies and then move to Bollywood with that experience, which I felt would add value.

I have done more than 15 films in different South languages. It’s nice to see South films now getting national and international recognition. The perception of South cinema has changed, Bollywood has taken notice and also the audience. Pushpa, RRR and KGF have proven that cinema has no language barriers anymore.

The reason I did not want to take a break was because in Sasural Simar Ka, people saw me as a grown-up, so they already knew how I would look after growing up. Yes, I know some child artistes who have taken breaks and returned a few years later, but in my case, I did not want to do that. Also, I loved being on the set every day and couldn’t think of not doing that anymore! But after Sasural Simar Ka, I took a year-long break from TV before my next show, Laado. That break was mainly for me to decide what I really wanted to do in life. I learned a lot of things, from editing to directing, but I also realised that I love being in front of the camera. So, then it was just about grooming myself as an actress. I knew there was a lot I could do. In the beginning, I took things for granted, but later, when I started to work on myself, everything changed.

I am very proud of it. I remember my directors telling me to stand in a certain way because I should look like a grown-up. That’s when I learnt that as an actor, you have to do different things for a character. I have never gone to an acting school, so these shows were like an acting school for me. The space and the dedication TV actors and writers have is amazing. When I do films now, if the team asks me to stay a bit longer and complete a shoot, I totally understand that.

There were times when I felt that way, but within a day or two, I would be fine. I remember once I wanted to go for a night’s stay at a friend’s place and my mom let me go. That made me feel that I was like any other girl my age. Even now, I do a lot of regular things, but at the same time, I also get to do a lot of different things, like I have been travelling for a month. I don’t think anybody my age would be able to do that.

I had people approaching me for work and everything was fine, but I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t comfortable in my skin. Then I worked on myself and began losing those extra kilos. I started feeling more confident and realised that I could be the best version of myself. I was cribbing because I wasn’t trying enough. So, I tried my best and I’m proud that I did not give up during that period. The moment I started working on what was bothering me, I realised that I really like myself and this is one thing that I am doing for myself.

This film has a story and a character which every actor dreams of! It’s challenging. People in the South appreciate my script selection. Mahesh Bhatt has written this film and Vikram Bhatt is producing it, so there was no reason to not accept such a good offer. I am in talks for more films now.

Being an actor has made me a better producer. I know how much hard work goes into making a movie. So I think in my case, it’s a good combination, and I am happy doing what I am.

I remember telling Milind that I wanted to get married on the second day that I met him. That’s the kind of restless person I am. He is very sensible. He is not from the industry. Ours is a long-distance relationship, but we make sure to take out time for our holidays. That’s how we manage our relationship.

Vikrant Massey speaks about his recent hush-hush wedding with actress and long-time girlfriend Sheetal Thakur in Himachal Pradesh, their prior live-in relationship and his career. Excerpts…

I was born and raised in Mumbai. We got married in Himachal as Sheetal’s maika is there and my father was born in Shimla. My paternal side is from Shimla, too. We got married in Sheetal’s ancestral village called Jhabola, in Bilaspur district in HP.

We don’t consider ourselves as celebrities, so I didn’t even think on those lines. I feel very awkward when someone calls me a celebrity. I know my reality. I know of these massive celebrity weddings, but ours was a regular middle-class wedding. Last minute tak tayari chal rahi thi. Our families took all the decisions aur humne shaadi karli. Shaadi mein kaafi faltu kharche hote hai. Hum woh sab cut karke ghar jaisi shaadi hi chahte the.

The idea was always to have only people who are really important to us present on our wedding day. It was a complete family affair. Yami (Gautam) also hails from Bilaspur district of Himachal. She got married there as well. Humara bhi wohi idea tha. We had decided a couple of years ago itself that shaadi jabhi hogi, toh ghar jaisi hi hogi. Both of us wanted it that way and we both chose her ancestral house for a reason. Sheetal’s grandmother is 108 years old and she cannot travel. Hum amma ke yaha hi shaadi karna chahte the, hence, the ancestral house. And it’s always good to take a break from the city.

Yami is a dear friend. She knew about my wedding pehle se. Unko sab pata tha. Unhone tips bhi diye the. She was happy that shaadi Himachal mein hone wali hai, aur ghar mein hone wali hai. Now there are two Himachali brides around me. One is Yami and the other is my wife Sheetal.

I think it’s the common value system and worldviews that bring two people closer. This is in the beginning. Of course, later on, other factors also come in. She is someone I can talk to; she is down to earth and also keeps me grounded. She has been my biggest support system, the light of my family and my life. I can go on and on about it. Above all, the love we feel for each other draws us closer. Love supersedes everything, but I strongly believe that our value system binds us together. She makes the world a better place.

Yes! That was one of the best decisions we’ve taken. We decided to live in to get to know each other better. We decided to spend time together and that led us to marriage. We lived in for six years before tying the knot. It makes you responsible towards yourself, your actions as well as the other person who is sharing that space and life with you. There’s so much of personality growth that happens. Companionship is a constant roller-coaster going to be good and bad days.

Yehi cheez saal do saal pehle bhi ho jaati. But my priorities were different back then. Why not now? Our life is going great and we wanted to build our life together. Both of us and our families always wanted us to spend our lives together, so why not? There is no such thing as the right time. Aisa tha ki ab karni hai toh kar hi lete hai. There was no point in delaying it because not once did we ever have together. So, we decided chalo shaadi kar lete hai.

I couldn’t be happier. I am living my dream. I always wanted to work in cinema, tell good stories and work with like-minded people. Woh ho raha hai. Results are not in your control. The stupidest thing one can do is set out on a journey hoping iska result yeh hoga. All you can do is set targets and work towards them. Whatever comes out of it is a blessing. I hope to challenge myself as an actor as there is this innate fear of being typecast. There is an effort to swim against the tide and chart new territories. Every film changes something for you, but A Death In The Gunj changed a lot for me. My TV shows have also contributed immensely to my growth. Be it Balika Vadhu or Baba Aiso Varr Dhoondo, had I not done those TV shows, I wouldn’t be here. Platform or medium is not important, content is. One thing always leads to another.

It’s a strange feeling and a terrible loss after the great innings we had with Surekha Sikri ji. I used to call her the Goddess of acting — there was no one who could match [her screen presence]. The last one or two years were rather difficult, especially for an artiste like her who could no longer do her favourite thing — acting because of the physical limitations, owing to her age and health. Despite her health, she was immensely brave about it and wanted to [continue acting]. She was a bit of a recluse and would refrain from sharing her troubles with anyone.

I remember catching up with her at a Balika Vadhu milestone party during the initial phase of the show. I was amused to see her dance happily with her husband [Hemant Rege] who passed away [in 2009], a year after she joined Balika Vadhu. During one such celebration where we all had decided to dress up as characters from Balika Vadhu, I had donned a Rajasthani metal neckpiece that Dadisa’s character always wore. She instantly recognised that I had dressed up as her, even though I had paired it with a salwar suit. While she loved it, she also joked that it was not entirely like Dadisa. Given her serious demeanour, I was surprised to hear her make a joke.

During the eight years of the show, there was a period of four to five months when she was quite ill. We never worried about the absence of any other character. But not being able to showcase Dadisa on screen was a big fear [for the makers]. People often watched the show to see her. She was the secret heroine of the daily soap. We had to work twice as hard [to fill her void]. We would resort to shooting only top portions from her home, her lines were dubbed and at times we even utilised old footage so that the audience didn’t miss her.

She was one of the few characters on screen that had a dramatic arc — from being the most hated character, she became the most progressive one. As an artiste, Surekha ji would ask questions to understand her character better and give her own interpretation to Dadisa. She set a standard [of acting] in Balika Vadhu. During internal meetings, we would discuss how every actor upped their game when sharing screen space with her.

As told to Letty Mariam Abraham

National Award-winning actress Surekha Sikri passed away yesterday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest. “She had been suffering from complications arising from a second brain stroke. She was surrounded by family and her caregivers. The family asks for privacy at this time,” her manager said. Sikri was 75 when she breathed her last in Mumbai. She is survived by her son, Rahul Sikri.

An NSD graduate, Sikri, who was always associated with theatre, made her film debut with the 1978 political drama film Kissa Kursi Ka, and since then, proved her versatility as an actress with a variety of roles. Known for her acting prowess, she has won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress thrice for her roles in Tamas (1988), Mammo (1995) and Badhaai Ho (2018). She won the Filmfare Award for the Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Badhaai Ho. In her long career, she has been a part of films like Naseem (1995), Sardari Begum (1996), Sarfarosh (1999), Dillagi (1999), Zubeidaa (2001) and Sniff (2017). Her TV projects include shows like Banegi Apni Baat (1993), Just Mohabbat (1996), Balika Vadhu (2008) and Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil (2016), among others.

Among her last acting projects were an anthology released on a digital platform and the short film Sheer Qorma (2020), which also featured Shabana Azmi, Divya Dutta and Swara Bhasker. Talking about her, Azmi says, “Surekha Sikri was a terrific actor and has gone away too early. There were roles waiting to come her way. Zoya (Akhtar) had cast her in a short film (in 2020) even though she was confined to a wheelchair after a stroke. There was such a demand for her, particularly after Badhaai Ho. My deepest condolences to her family.” Manoj Bajpayee took to social media to express grief. “One of the greatest talents, Surekha Sikri ji, passed away leaving behind so many great performances in theatre and cinema! She was a treat to watch on stage. Can’t forget some of those memories of her act in theatre. great craft and a graceful person! (sic),” he wrote.

Neena Gupta, who played Sikri’s daughter-in-law, posted a video saying, “I remember watching her performance when I was in NSD. Main sochti thi, mujhe aisi actress banna hai. Phir Badhaai Ho mein saath main kaam kiya. I would keep watching her when she would perform. Itna kuch seekhne ko mila, aur itna kuch baaki tha. She was such a committed actor. In one scene, she had to scold the members of our family and then I had to react. We told her to just give the cue in a very normal manner. But irrespective of the number of takes, she gave the cue with as much gusto every time as she had performed her scene. Aise log bahut kam milte hain. I feel so sad that she is no more.”

While Sikri was a part of many TV shows, she won immense appreciation and popularity for her portrayal of the strict Dadisa in Balika Vadhu (2008). Annup Sonii, who played her son in the show, had a special connection with her. Remembering her, he shares, “While studying at NSD, I had heard so much about her that it was like a dream come true to work with her. She must have been 60-plus when we started shooting for Balika Vadhu. Many actors at that age might feel that abhi bohot kaam kar liya and they take their work for granted. But the kind of passion she had for her craft was commendable. I have seen her working on her dialogues and rehearsing her lines. She was extremely passionate about her craft.”

— TNN

Avika Gor has literally grown up on Indian television. The actress, who first struck a chord with the audience as the child bride, Anandi in Balika Vadhu, has worked almost non-stop in television and films. Ask the 23-year-old if she regrets working without a break, and she replies, “I did take a break for about a year in 2017 after my stint on Sasural Simar Ka ended and before taking up Laado 2 - Veerpur Ki Mardani. It was because I wanted to be sure if I really wanted to act, as back then I seemed more inclined towards dancing and direction. During the transformation phase, too, I had considered taking a long break before returning as a totally new person. However, I am glad I didn’t do that, as that would have affected my connection with the audience .”

She insists that despite working continuously, she didn’t miss out on a normal childhood. “Success so early on in life can get to your head, but fortunately, I have been surrounded by people, especially my parents, who have kept me grounded. I never felt that I missed out on a normal childhood as I attended school as well as did what I liked — acting and dancing,” she shares.

Meanwhile, Avika has lost 13 kilos in the last few months. However, she says that for her, the transformation has been more internal than external.

She explains, “Physical transformation happened because I focussed on changing from within. Television had made me extremely comfortable with being in the spotlight. I somehow felt that even though I was not giving my 100 per cent, people still loved me. I had this perception that people liked me the way I was, so there was no need to do anything extra. I was doing good professionally, but I wasn’t happy. The reason was that I wasn’t giving my 100 per cent, not just physically, but mentally as well. For instance, I used to attempt screenplay writing, but then, I stopped paying attention to it. However, on my birthday (June 30), it struck me that I owe my audience my 100 per cent.”

Innocent, happy and rather care free. That was the Pratyusha Banerjee I first saw around six years ago when she'd just started shooting for Balika Vadhu. She was full of life and little did one imagine then that a day would come when she would take her own life, unable to cope with the perils of instant fame.

Pratyusha is not the only one. There are innumerable cases where actors have fallen prey to the dark side of fame that invariably brings along with it insecurities, financial and relationship issues leading to depression. Their stories may not be known to the world but their near and dear ones have seen them crumble mentally and emotionally.

As psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty puts it, “After having the universe at one's feet with the arclights, a sudden shift is perceived by these individuals as a fall from Mount Everest. As superstars become meteorites in the unpredictable world of showbiz, few collapse and cling to their lovers for solace. And when the love fails, the collapse of meaning in life can lead to self-harm.“

Pratyusha's suicide too wasn't just a case of a love story going awry, there was a lot more to it. As a friend of hers sums it up, “She became very popular in a short span of time, but after she lost out on Balika Vadhu in 2013, her life changed. She bagged a couple of roles, but the shows didn't do well. After a gap, she recently participated in the reality show Power Couple. In recent times, she had a lot of financial problems because she was used to a particular lifestyle but there wasn't much income. Amidst all this, there was also the stress of her relationship with her boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh, who had became the focal point of her existence. She was insecure and wanted to marry him soon.“

TV WORLD'S DARK SIDE
Like Pratyusha who came from Jamshedpur, many youngsters come to Mumbai from all over the country in the hope of making a mark in Bollywood or television. In the case of TV, the opportunities are more and some manage to make it big. But as soon as their show ends, reality strikes. That's the nature of the industry where the shelf life of an actor is very short and very few manage to have a long, consistent run. Producer Saurabh Tewari aptly describes the journey of a TV star: “They live a complicated life. In films, it takes years to get an opportunity and some recognition, but in television, the entry is easy and if a show clicks, they are suddenly in the limelight and even at their peak within a few weeks. They become as popular as film stars. Then comes their second show where they start charging Rs 60,000-Rs 70,000 per day, which is followed by reality shows and other events. And then the bubble bursts. The limelight begins and ends within three years. With no work and no money coming in, financial problems take a toll and personal relationships too start falling apart.“ In the case of female TV stars, it's even more difficult and within a couple of shows, they are offered mother's roles. Says an actress, who doesn't wish to be named, “When a 25-year-old, who has played the lead, gets offered a role where she is expected to play mother to grown-ups, it's quite devastating! I have been through this phase and I know how upsetting it is. That's when you regret having got into this profession, but it's too late in life to make a switch.“

Rightly so. Many telly actors secretly regret choosing this profession because it's what they call a chakravyuh, which is hard to get out of. Says an actor on condition of anonymity, “Once you get used to the fame, you don't want to give it up and do something else. So, even when you don't have work, you keep trying and hoping that something good will come your way soon. In the process, you end up losing many valuable years of your life after which it's too late to make a full-fledged alternative career.“ That's one of the reasons why many telly actors are trying to get themselves involved in some business or the other, either by starting a production house or a garment business or some entertainment venture.

A SUPPORT SYSTEM IS A MUST
Actors who come from other cities to Mumbai and live alone here are more prone to depression when the going gets tough. Says producer Rajan Shahi, who has been in the industry for over two decades, “Whenever a newcomer works in any of my shows, I spend a lot of time telling them about the bitter facts behind the instant stardom, money and success, which is loneliness, stress and the inevitable 'no work' phase. That's why I say that don't take success or failure too seriously. Fame will come go and come again, keep your heads on your shoulders and always be positive. Keep a good circle of friends and family who will be there to guide you and hold your hand through the tough times. Always save money for the rainy days; in fact, let an elder or somebody trustworthy handle your finances and help you make the right investments.“

RECOGNISE THE SIGNS
Pratyusha's friends from the industry maintain that she was a 'strong' girl and not depressed. But as Dr Shetty explains, “Depression is an invisible illness that escapes the attention of the ordinary eye and can lead to disastrous consequences. Awareness and early detection can save many lives.“

Talking about suicides, psychiatrist Dr Anjali Chhabria says, “It's a combination of hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness. When a person experiences these, he starts feeling suicidal. Initially it could just be a fleeting thought but then the need to end your life gradually increases. Also, when you are a celebrity, it is very difficult for you to show your true feelings because of the public glare on you. There is always a mask that you put on.“

Professional help is a must, she emphasises. “A friend can lend a shoulder, but he can't really help you. Celebs often find it difficult to take help and as a result, they try to cope with these feelings in different ways by resorting to alcohol and substance abuse. This tends to disinhibit a person, so when there is a suicidal thought, one acts on it,“ says Dr Chhabria.