The entertainment industry often puts actors under constant pressure to look confident, stay relevant and meet public expectations. While success may look effortless from the outside, the journey can involve uncertainty, criticism and personal struggles. Speaking about mental health, the actor and Man of the World titleholder Aditya Khurana reflects on the challenges of working in the public eye, dealing with expectations and learning to prioritise emotional well-being.

Talking about why people find it difficult to admit that they are not doing well, Aditya says, “Coming from a modelling and international pageantry background, there is an implicit demand to always present an image of perfection. You are expected to be physically flawless, mentally unbreakable and perpetually confident. Because of that, admitting that you are struggling can feel like breaking a contract with your audience. Society still treats vulnerability as a weakness rather than a sign of human resilience. Saying ‘I’m not okay’ becomes difficult because we fear that our honesty will be mistaken for an inability to cope.”

Speaking about dealing with criticism and public scrutiny, especially while transitioning from modelling to television, he shares, “Moving from modelling into prime-time television brings a sudden increase in public feedback. People comment on your performances, your looks and almost everything in between. I protect my mental peace by separating the person I am at home from my public persona. I try to look at criticism professionally. If it helps me grow as an actor, I take it constructively. If it is simply malicious noise, I let it go. Spending time with my family and stepping away into quiet, grounded spaces also helps me reset.”

For someone working in an industry known for demanding schedules, recognising burnout is equally important. Aditya explains, “Showbiz operates on gruelling schedules, and it is easy to get swept up in the hustle. Since fitness and acting are both important parts of my routine, the first signs of burnout often show up physically. When my workouts start feeling like an obligation instead of an escape, or when I find myself reading scripts mechanically without that spark of creative excitement, I know I am pushing too hard. That is when I need to pause, realign and give my mind time to catch up with my body.”

Talking about the pressure of meeting personal and professional expectations, the actor says, “There is immense pressure when you are trying to build your career step by step and waiting for that one opportunity that could change everything. The industry often makes you feel that you need to be everywhere at once. I deal with this by shifting my focus from the destination to the daily process. I look at every audition and every character I play, whether positive or negative, as a stepping stone rather than a final judgment on my worth. When you stop chasing immediate validation and start trusting steady progress, the pressure becomes more manageable.”

Reflecting on the lessons he has learnt about mental well-being, he shares, “The early phase of my career taught me that your mental well-being cannot depend entirely on external circumstances. Showbiz involves waiting, rejections and sudden changes in luck. If a project gets delayed or an audition does not work out, it does not mean your worth has diminished. I have learnt that self-belief, resilience and staying true to yourself are far more important than having a packed schedule. True well-being is about remaining grounded on the inside even when things are uncertain on the outside.”

On learning to set boundaries and understanding the importance of saying no, he adds, “When you are starting out, the fear of missing an opportunity makes you want to say yes to every project, networking event or request that comes your way. But I have learnt that a scattered mind cannot perform at its best. Protecting my time is not arrogance; it is self-preservation. If a commitment compromises my peace of mind, my rest or my artistic values, I am comfortable saying no. Quality always matters more than quantity when it comes to maintaining a healthy balance in the long run.”

Addressing the pressure created by social media, where people often feel compelled to appear happy and successful, Aditya concludes, “Social media is an important tool for actors today because it allows us to showcase our work and connect with audiences. However, it is also a highly curated highlight reel. I make sure there is a clear distinction between the content I share online and my actual life. I do not measure the success of my day by likes, views or trends. I treat social media as a professional extension of my career, while finding genuine happiness in the quiet, offline moments of life.”