As Santha (played by Saroja Devi), starts singing the solo song in film ‘Bharya Bhartalu’ (1963), you cannot help but notice how well-dressed and breathtaking she looks. Though she sweeps away the listeners through the song, many fail to notice that the lyrics are indicative of her mental state. “A person with depression doesn’t have to be wearing tattered clothes or look gloomy.
They can be well-dressed, social and still be dealing with mental illness. The portrayal in this song is a classic example of how you can fail to recognise depression,” explained historian V Sriram, during a talk recently held on Depression and Cinema, organised by Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF).
This is not the only way depression is showcased in cinema. In most films, a person is depressed usually after a ‘trigger’. The first noticeable trace, especially among men, is the classic beard. In Manchi Manasulu (1984) and Khaidi No. 786 (1988), the protoganist Vijayakanth has a beard.
“It has become a hallmark of depression in our cinema. Another example is in the Rajinikanth starrer, O Inti Katha…but, there is no medical view point in these movies. Depression is not diagnosed and the characters live with mental illness forever in the proverbial hall of fame,” shared psychiatrist Dr R Mangala.
Talking about ‘masking’ mental illnesses, Tamil actress Akshara Gowda who fought depression, narrated, “I woke up one day and wanted to end my life. But I decided to go for help and was blessed with a family who supported me. Otherwise, things could have gone differently.” But it took her over a year to admit she needed professional help. “To acknowledge the problem is the first step to fighting it,” she added.
She condemns films that glorify depression. “The most glorified of them all is Devadas (1955 and 2002), of course! The recent movie ‘Three’ starring Dhanush also became popular. Depression shouldn’t be celebrated, there should be a portrayal of how it can be treated,” she shared.
As beards, self-harm and suicidal tendencies are prevalent in adults…what about depression among children and senior citizens? “In Leta Masaulu (1965), the story shows how parental depression affects children. This theme is more relevant in today’s time. But, it’s much more difficult to identify symptoms of depression among children,” rued Mangala.
For instance, in Tamil movie ‘Vietnam Veedu (1970), the story is about an ageing man trying to redeem his self-worth. “It was a question of life after retirement and how Sivaji Ganesan’s character feels powerless and worthless in the later stages of his life.
That’s classic depression,” pointed out Sriram.
Movies like Saheb Biwi aur Gulam (1962) and Guru Dutt’s Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) not only depicted the loss that depression can bring into one’s life, but could also be a ‘prediction’ of what happens to an artist in real life.
“In Saheb Biwi…Meena Kumari was an alcoholic and her sexuality was denied in the movie. She was grieving because she couldn’t bear a child. Closely, a decade after the movie, she died. Likewise, Guru Dutt phased out in the movie industry. Doesn’t it make you wonder if he was trying to say something through Kaagaz?” said Sriram.
While several actors, including Dileep Kumar and Deepika Padukone, have been open about their fight against depression, the trend is more recent in Indian cinema when compared to ‘a shrink’ in Hollywood. “Actors in the West are more open about seeking therapy for mental illness and behavioural disorders,” he said.
Experts point to a common factor in most films - lack of communication. “In all these films, the characters are neither diagnosed nor have they spoken out. If you communicate, things don’t have to take a ‘dark course’. Alcohol and smoking isn’t going to help, but consulting professionals will,” added Mangala. Movies, indeed, have dealth with depression all through.