No Tamasha this: Seven must-watch films about mental illness

Online Desk

Girl, Interrupted (1999): Set in the 1960s, this film is an autobiographical story of Susana Kaysen, (Winona Ryder) who, after an attempted suicide, is hospitalized with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. During her stay, she meets another patient, Lisa Rowe, played by Angelina Jolie. Although it received mixed reviews, Jolie was praised for her performance thus winning her numerous awards.
A Beautiful Mind (2001): When you mention movies with schizophrenia, for most people, the first film that comes to mind is this one. Based on the real-life story of American mathematician and Nobel Prize winner John Nash (Russell Crowe), this Ron Howard directorial is an adaptation of the 1998 biography by Sylvia Nasar. It went on to gross over USD 313 million worldwide and won four Academy Awards.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012): Based on a novel by Stephen Chbosky, this film is about a socially awkward teen named Charlie (Logan Lerman) who is journeying through high school. The film highlights the aftermath of PTSD, depression and sexual abuse. It also tells the common story of a teen trying to fit in and find his place, among his peers and the world. The movie's famous "We accept the love we think we deserve" line and infinite quote is remembered even today.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012): Based on Matthew Quick's novel of the same name, the film follows the lives of Pat Solitano Jr. (Bradley Cooper), who has bipolar disorder, and Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence), who has an unnamed mental health condition. Mental health disorders are often misinterpreted, but director David O. Russell somehow understood the assignment as he combines humour into this romantic drama thereby creating a balance to this fun, yet heartbreaking watch. It received eight nominations at the 85th Academy Awards, with Lawrence bagging the Best Actress Award.
Tamasha (2015): Helmed by Imtiaz Ali, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor who plays the role of Ved Vardhan Sahni (Don) who suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder. This illness is characterized by one being carefree, reckless, and animated at one time and from the next moment they are shy, reserved, and dull. The movie shows how this affects his relationship with his girlfriend Tara Maheshwari (Mona Darling), played by Deepika Padukone, and dives deep into his childhood and family life to explain his illness.
Dear Zindagi (2016): One of the most popular watches by filmmaker Gauri Shinde that portrayed mental health right. The story follows Kaira, a skilled cinematographer who is deeply committed to her work and aspires to direct her film one day. However, she suffers from psychological issues that stem from her childhood. Upon realising that she has insomnia, Kaira seeks therapy from Jug, an unconventional therapist played by Shah Rukh Khan. 
Words on Bathroom Walls (2020): Directed by Thor Freudenthal and written by Nick Naveda, the film is based on the novel of the same name by Julia Walton. The story revolves around a teen, Adam, (Charlie Plummer) who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia during his senior year of high school. Amidst the struggles of keeping his mental disorder a secret, he meets Maya (Taylor Russell) who inspires him to open his heart and not be defined by a condition.