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Akshay Kumar latest to join the OTT wagon
It seems that due to the ongoing lockdown and the rise of Covid-19 cases, theatres won’t be opening anytime soon. So, the latest actor to join the OTT bandwagon after Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Ayushmann Khurrana and Vidya Balan is Akshay Kumar.
Latest reports around the film have confirmed that Laxmmi Bomb will now release on the OTT platform and skip a theatrical release. According to reports Akshay has decided to come out with his film on Independence Day, August 15, 2020.
The film is directed by Raghava Lawrence and is a remake of his 2011 Tamil hit Muni 2: Kanchana. It also stars Kiara Advani and Tussar Kapoor.
World Health Organisation (WHO) data claims that close to 70% of people suffering from mental health ailments in India don’t get treatment. The fact remains that anxiety and depression are still considered something you can just ‘get over’. According to a 2018 survey by actor Deepika Padukone’s mental health nonprofit organisation, 47% of respondents were not only judgemental of people with mental health issues but also likely to stay away from those who were depressed. Given how media and public are analysing the reason behind his depression, it is clear that most of us are clueless about the illness. Across platforms, his fans ask why he took the drastic step instead of confiding in someone.
Yes, confiding about depressive thoughts can help someone. But, it is merely the first step in a long battle. Clinical or major depression alters the brain, impacts the endocrine system, and weakens the immune system. While those with milder forms of depression may find relief in self-help strategies such as exercise and meditation, severe cases need medical intervention. But here’s the thing about depression: At times, the person suffering from it doesn’t realise that it is treatable. And a chemical imbalance in the brain, a trademark of depression, is to blame. No one chooses to be depressed. Their brain just doesn’t allow them to snap out of it.
In the past few decades, the conversation around mental health has become louder in India. And yet, the discourse is far from where we need it to be. Taking a “mental health day” at work is often required, but so is the practice of checking in with our near and dear ones.
Understanding the symptoms of depression and encouraging those who exhibit them to seek treatment is the first step. Knowing the red flags for suicidal thoughts and the willingness to help someone showcasing them is what can save a life. Saying “I’m depressed!” when you’re just sad sends the message that tomorrow you might wake up feeling mood-disorder-free — which is contrary to what this illness allows.
Educating people — who think depression is a choice — is the need of the hour. While reports suggest Rajput was seeking psychiatric help, not everyone has that liberty — many can’t even talk to their family about what they are feeling.With India boasting of the highest suicide rate in South-East Asia, it’s time to take mental health advocacy off social media and practise it in real life — by talking about it to family, friends, colleagues, and whoever else is willing to listen. This is the least we can do to honour Sushant Singh Rajput’s memory.