Kushal Tandon highlights the importance of protecting mental health, acknowledging personal struggles and not allowing public opinion to dictate self-worth. On World Mental Health Day, attention turns to the factors that can affect emotional well-being, from personal and financial struggles to the pressure of meeting expectations and dealing with public scrutiny. For those in the limelight, fame and online criticism can add to these challenges, making it important to recognise that public success does not necessarily reflect a person’s emotional state. Actor Kushal Tandon stresses the importance of acknowledging one’s emotions and not allowing external opinions to define one’s self-worth, particularly when dealing with difficult phases in life.Emphasising the need to be honest with oneself rather than putting on a brave face for others, Kushal says, “People worry that if they admit they are struggling, others will look at them differently or consider them weak. But everyone has problems, whether personal, financial or emotional. It is important to give yourself space and acknowledge what you are feeling. Do not bottle everything up or pretend to be okay when you are not. Silence often makes things worse.”Success and public recognition can sometimes create the impression that a person has little to worry about, but the reality can be very different. A celebrity’s public image may not reveal the personal challenges, relationships or emotions they are navigating away from the camera. For Kushal, it is important to remember that being in the public eye does not make anyone immune to difficult experiences or take away their need for emotional support. He says, “Fame is one part of my life, not my entire life. I have personal relationships, problems and emotions, just like anyone else. People sometimes assume that if you are successful, you must automatically be happy, but that is not true. You can have everything on the outside and still have your own battles going on inside. Being a celebrity does not mean you stop having feelings. We are human beings first.”Having experienced the scrutiny that comes with reality television, Kushal is familiar with the pressure of being watched, judged and sometimes misunderstood by audiences. The actor, who has participated in shows such as Bigg Boss 7 and Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 5, and featured in fiction shows including Beyhadh and Barsatein: Mausam Pyaar Ka, was last seen in Alliance. He highlights the importance of separating constructive feedback from judgement that serves little purpose. Kushal says, “Reality shows can be tough because you are constantly being watched and judged, and people may misunderstand you. You have to know the difference between criticism and unnecessary judgement. You cannot control what people think or say about you. What you can control is how you respond. You need to know who you are and stay grounded.”Social media adds another dimension to this scrutiny, with public opinion capable of shifting rapidly. Constantly seeking approval online can take a toll on one’s peace of mind, making it important to set boundaries and focus on relationships that offer genuine understanding and support. He says, “Today, someone loves you, tomorrow someone hates you. If you start living according to every opinion online, you will never have peace. I have learnt to switch off, step away when I need to and focus on the people who genuinely know me. At the end of the day, I know who I am, and that matters more than what someone sitting behind a screen thinks.”
