New Delhi: The world sees the glamour–spotlights, red carpets, viral Instagram posts but behind the scenes, the entertainment industry often demands more than it gives.
Long hours, relentless scrutiny, and the constant pressure to look perfect have left even seasoned actors grappling with questions of health and well-being. Actor Rohit Roy, who has seamlessly moved from Swabhiman to Shootout at Lokhandwala to the OTT era, believes that the most important conversation today is not about abs or awards, but about mental health.
Joining 5th edition of ETHealthworld Healthcare Awards Roy had a candid conversation on the topic Lights, Camera, Wellness: Unleashing the Power of Health & Art. Roy who had seen many milestones, from his breakout television show to films where he transformed his on-screen persona, informed that his biggest turning point was deeply personal—the birth of his daughter.
“That moment made me more responsible. Every role I take now, I do with the thought that when my daughter watches me, she should feel proud,” he said. That shift, he explained, wasn’t just about professional choices, but also about becoming mindful of how life and work affect mental and emotional well-being.
The pressure to look flawless isn’t new in showbiz, but Roy pointed out that social media has magnified it for everyone. “Nobody posts bad pictures online. Even I don’t. People see me with six-pack abs and think I look like that all year—but that’s for a project, not my reality,” he admitted.
His concern lies not in the vanity but in the mental and physical toll of chasing such illusions. Fad diets, cosmetic shortcuts, and unhealthy extremes, he warned, can wreak havoc. His mantra remains simple: “Abs are built in the kitchen, not the gym. Eat balanced, eat what your body needs, and don’t punish yourself for not fitting into a trend.”
Despite the myths of late-night parties and erratic lifestyles, Roy described today’s film industry as more health-conscious than ever. Many younger actors, he noted, are cutting back on alcohol, smoking, and blind supplementation, choosing instead yoga, clean eating, and sustainable fitness.
For him, health is non-negotiable. “If I don’t make fitness a priority, my work suffers. But I also believe in balance. Travel, late nights, and indulgence are fine, as long as they don’t define your routine,” he explained.
The silent strain: anxiety and the hustle culture
What worries him most about the current generation is not physical health but the rise of anxiety. “Everywhere you look, people are hustling to get from here to there. The goalpost keeps shifting, and that creates stress,” he observed. He himself admits to being more anxious than before, despite consciously staying out of the industry’s rat race.
His remedy is grounded — eating well, practicing yoga, meditating, and—most importantly—learning the power of saying no. “Mental health depends on your ability to say no and be at peace with it. If you can do that, you’ll stay strong in the long run,” he emphasised.
For decades, mental health was dismissed or mocked, with therapy often equated to “madness.” Roy is encouraged by how openly actors now discuss anxiety, depression, or burnout. “When a big star admits to struggling, it gives courage to ordinary people to speak up too,” he said. That visibility, he believes, is vital to dismantling stigma.
Roy describes himself as a spontaneous actor who doesn’t dive too deep into method preparation. Yet, he acknowledges the emotional toll of portraying difficult characters. “You can’t really prepare to play a rapist, like in Kaabil. That was my most difficult role. But I believe acting isn’t rocket science, it’s about connecting with the audience’s heart.”
On whether cinema should shoulder responsibility for social issues, Roy is clear: films mirror society rather than change it. “A rickshaw puller who’s worked all day doesn’t want lectures in a theater. He wants two hours of escape. We can be responsible in how we portray, but we’re not here to preach,” he said.
Asked to choose between fame, family, and fitness, Roy didn’t hesitate: “I don’t care much for fame. It’s transient. What matters is family and fitness, because without one, the other has no meaning.”
That clarity perhaps explains his grounded approach to life and career. Stardom may come and go, but for Roy, the bigger battle is sustaining mental peace in an industry that thrives on pressure. “We all break wellness rules sometimes. That’s life. But if you balance things out and keep your mind healthy, you’ll always come out stronger,” he said.
At a time when conversations around mental health are no longer optional but essential, his voice adds weight to the reminder that success is meaningless if it comes at the cost of sanity.
