How Did Shahrukh Khan [Bollywood King] Overcome Depression & other Mental Health Issues?

Making films is the only way I know to overcome sadness - Shah Rukh Khan

What Happened To Shah Rukh Khan?

Shah Rukh Khan is known as the "King of Bollywood." He is among the most acknowledged actors and essential voices to voice mental health. His tale of Depression, in particular, post-acute shoulder injury, testifies to the universal plight that many of these celebrities go through. This article delves into how Khan grappled with his mental health challenges, struggled over them, and went on to thrive both in his professional and personal world.

Background of Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan was born on November 2, 1965. He resides in New Delhi, India. He was born into a middle-class family and faced significant challenges; both his parents died when he was young. 

His father abandoned him at a very tender age because he died of cancer when Shah Rukh was just 15 years old, while his mother abandoned him ten years later. Such experiences make him more resilient and vigorous in succeeding. 

After schooling at St. Columba's School and Hansraj College, he started on television screens with his acting career before entering films with the movie "Deewana" in 1992. Since then, he acted in countless iconic films; today, he is one of the most recognized faces worldwide.

What is Depression?

Depression is a major affective disorder. It is a mood disorder that involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities previously enjoyed. 

Symptoms of Depression may include changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, inability to concentrate, and thoughts of suicide. The WHO reports that 264 million people in the world experience depression.

What caused Shah Rukha Khan to feel depressed?

Shah Rukh Khan is said to have begun fighting Depression after he had been operated on his shoulder in 2010 for an injury which he sustained while filming. The pain, in addition to the physical inactivity, threw him into a depressive state. 

He described this moment as being trapped in a "depressive phase," feeling unable to say some things and thus reliving his existence as a filmy icon.

Shah Rukh Khan's Mental Health Struggle

Shah Rukh Khan has openly spoken about Depression in interviews.

The first would be just a few weeks after the surgery when he mentioned in an interview with IANS that he felt "happy and boosted with energy" after coming out of Depression, still accepting he had entered a depressive phase because of the injury and suffering. 

He has always complained that it is tough for him to express himself emotionally; the results have sometimes led to misunderstandings among people.

In one documentary of 2004, The Inner World of Shah Rukh Khan, he reflected on how he had been mainly deprived of the emotional essence of life due to the loss of both parents at a tender age. He went on to reveal that, apart from him, his sister, Shehnaz Lalarukh Khan, also suffered enormously after their father's death. According to him, she became psychologically disturbed after their parents died.

In another interview, "Shah Rukh Khan: The Power of Positivity," he explained how he dealt with fame pressures while fighting personal loss and Depression. 

He again emphasized that acknowledging one's feelings is essential to mental health: "You have to be honest about your feelings; it's okay not to be okay." He added that accepting vulnerability has helped him overcome his struggles.

Courage to speak about Depression

In a society where the idea of speaking out about issues has been kept in the closet for too long, even Khan's desperate attempt to come out with his issue is worth mentioning. 

In today's world, where many silently bear the same problem, this openness from Khan might relieve the stigma surrounding mental illness and provoke others to open up and seek assistance.

He said he has battled some personal struggles people identify with often, though he is perceived by most as a symbol of success and happiness.

Journey to Recovery - How Shah Rukh Khan Dealt/Fought with Depression

Shah Rukh Khan's recovery was a process of different moves that facilitated his return to his average physical and mental condition. Khan focused on his self-care and routine, exercising and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, professional help was made available during this period, and it managed to restore his health.

Discussions on how he deals with stress have circulated through various media.. Khan revealed how he handles stress and stays positive. He admitted that meditating, exercising, or carrying out some other activity had to be included in his daily routine to give him mental strength.

Support System which helped him Beat Depression

Khan has the support of his family. The emotional stability brought by his wife, Gauri Khan, and the children was a steady source of balance during trying times. Often, he has talked about the comfort that their love and stability brought so that he could stand up to the Depression. 

Professional help was important in Khan's recovery, with therapy helping him learn to manage his emotions and handle what pressure and fame could bring.

Shah Rukh Khan's Inspiring Story: Impact on Mental Health Awareness

Khan's journey has opened the curtains of awareness on mental health issues to Indians and the world as a whole. By speaking his heart out concerning his various experiences with Depression, many fans have been encouraged to speak out about their mental health issues.  His story encourages one not to fear seeking help because of judgment.

Following recent happenings on matters concerning mental health awareness campaigns after the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrities galore have joined Khan's league by bringing sanity into public discourse on matters of mental health issues.

Appearing on David Letterman’s Netflix talk show My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, Shah Rukh said that the biggest reason he spends so much time with his children is that he understands what it feels like not having parents around.

“So that’s one thing I decided. I am going to make sure that I live very long, and I make sure that I keep on living with my kids and never let them feel they don’t have a parent. So any given moment I spend with them, I study with them, I sleep with them, I chat with them, I sort out all their problems, and I hate it when they have boyfriend-girlfriend problems,” he said.

During one talk Shah Khan Said “To avoid depression, I act”

Powerful Quotes and Interviews of Shah Rukh Khan on Depression

Shah Rukh Khan has shared poignant insights regarding his mental health journey:

• "I feel so much healthier and refreshed from within... due to the injury and suffering, I had entered a depressive phase, but now I am out of it".
• "Life begins when we decide it's going to begin for us".
• "You have to be honest about your feelings; it's okay not to be okay."
• "Making films is the only way I know to overcome sadness".

Personal Growth of Shah Rukh Khan after Getting Mental Health Treatment

• Film Success: Once out of the Depression, Khan returned to the cinema with renewed vigour. His "Chennai Express" (2013) and "Happy New Year" (2014) proved to be huge box office successes, re-establishing him among Bollywood's top heroes.
• Back-to-Back Blockbusters: Two super hit blockbusters in 2023 marked the comeback of Khan with "Pathaan" and "Jawan." Both films received good critical reviews and commercial success, showing that he was still quite attracted even though he faced some personal issues.
• Television Projects: Khan also continued his successful stint in television productions like "Zor Ka Jhatka," which shows his ability to change mediums.
• Philanthropy: Since his recovery, Khan has actively participated in mental health awareness philanthropy. His experiences have made him take a more proactive role in initiatives meant to reach out to people suffering from mental health issues.
• Family Involvement: Privately, Khan stated that he found comfort in bonding with his children and addressing the tragedy of his past. He noted that he promised himself that he would spend more quality time with them in an area that he felt was important to him, growing from the background he was raised in.

Conclusion

The story of Shah Rukh Khan as he tried to come to terms with his Depression makes a salutary lesson for mentally ill people to get talking about Depression openly and compassionately. The willingness to speak out to Shah Rukh Khan strikes an unmitigated chord widely, making people come forward without any stigma for assistance. We need to talk about mental health and encourage it in discussion. As we sit and reflect on Shah Rukh Khan's experience, let us all support mental well-being for ourselves first and then together. Patients requiring mental well-being services can be referred to organizations that offer support or further information on what is available. For example, the organization Mave Health focuses on providing the required assistance.

Citations

1. Satija, G. (2024, May 24). 9 Heart-Wrenching moments when Shah Rukh Khan’s health struggles left fans praying for his recovery. Indiatimes. 
2. Wikipedia contributors. (2024, September 1). Shah Rukh Khan. Wikipedia. 
3. Ians. (2016, October 17). I went into depression, but am back: Shah Rukh Khan. The Hindu. 
4. Wikipedia contributors. (2024a, May 28). The inner and outer world of Shah Rukh Khan. Wikipedia. 
5. sophia verma. (2018, November 6). Shah Rukh Khan says How he deals with anxiety and tension. [Video]. YouTube. 
6. Singh, A. K., & ParentCircle. (2021, July 5). I steal moments to spend quality time with my kids, and believe me, it's a best stress-buster, says Shah Rukh Khan. Shri Harini Media Ltd. 
7. Shah Rukh Khan talks about elder sister in rare throwback video, reveals how parents’ death affected her mental health: “she was highly qualified but couldn’t face reality.” The Indian Express. (2023a, May 14). 
8. When Shah Rukh Khan opened up about losing both his parents, how he avoided “going into depression” like his “brilliant” sister. The Indian Express. (2023b, November 23). 
9. M_S. (2020, June 20). To avoid depression, I act - Shah Rukh Khan | he also prey of nepotism and politics game. [Video]. YouTube.