Atrangi Re to Dear Zindagi: Bollywood films that highlight mental health issues

Bollywood movies are famous for their romance, attractive dance numbers, and action. Over the past decade, Bollywood has produced more films with meaningful content. Makers are picking up lesser-known subjects as the core of their film and mental health is an issue few Bollywood films have taken up, it plays a crucial role and it influences the masses to some extent. There are only a handful of films that tap into mental health issues. Here are some Bollywood films that have brilliantly highlighted mental health issues and illnesses and you should definitely watch them.

Bollywood films that highlight mental health issues:

1. Atrangi Re

Sara Ali Khan’s character Rinku Sooryavanshi is unable to process the trauma of having witnessed her parents’ honour killing as a child. She starts witnessing hallucinations, including that of her imaginative boyfriend Sajjad Ali Khan, played by Akshay Kumar.

Where to watch: Disney+Hotstar

 

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2. Judgementall Hai Kya

A brutal childhood trauma leaves Bobby (Kangana Ranaut) diagnosed with acute psychosis in her adult years. . Interestingly, the story leads to a frenzied turn of events, with Bobby’s imaginary world often blurring into shocking reality.

Where to watch: Zee5

 

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3. Chhichhore

Chhichhore tells the story of Aniruddh Pathak (Sushant Singh Rajput), a middle-aged divorcee whose son Raghav tries to commit suicide but survives, though he is in a critical condition for his unwillingness to live out of fear he would be called a “loser”

Where to watch: Disney+Hotstar

 

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4. Dear Zindagi

Kaira (Alia Bhatt), a promising cinematographer, faces problems in her relationships. She meets Dr Jehangir (Shah Rukh Khan), who helps her resolve her issues with her parents and get a new perspective on life, which leads to her following her passion and an improvement in her love life.

Where to watch: Netflix

 

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5. Tamasha

Ved played by Ranbir Kapoor is trying to discover his true personality as his girlfriend Tara played by Deepika Padukone tries to help her in his journey. It tells the story of character Ved in three stages–as a 9-year-old child, a 19-year-old adolescent and a 30-year-old adult in a drama-based non-linear screenplay.

Where to watch: Netflix

 

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6. Karthik Calling Karthik

Karthik (Farhan Akhtar), an introvert, is always ridiculed by his boss and has faced many setbacks throughout his life. However, one day, he receives a phone call from a stranger who promises to transform his life. It also deals with schizophrenia along with dissociative identity disorder.

Where to watch: Netflix

 

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7. Anjaana Anjaani

Akash (Ranbir Kapoor) and Kiara (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), two heartbroken and suicidal people, find each other just as they are about to end their lives. The duo then decide to live life to the fullest until New Year’s Day. Ranbir’s character is suffering from Acute Stress Disorder while Priyanka’s character has Adjustment Disorder.

Where to watch: Jio Cinema

 

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8. Taare Zameen Par

The film explores the life of Ishaan (Darsheel Safary), an 8-year-old dyslexic child. His poor academic performance leads his parents to send him to a boarding school. Ishaan’s new art teacher Nikumbh (Aamir Khan) suspects that he is dyslexic and helps him to overcome his reading disorder.

Where to watch: Netflix

 

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