One thing that didn’t change after all these years is treating depression as taboo. To a common middle class man film industry might look glamorous, full of life, a celebrity’s life is quite often considered to be very beautiful. People quite often think that celebrities might be surrounded by millions of people who love them and are there for them for every second passing. But truth differs, many celebrities have been open about their battle with depression and few who unfortunately didn’t have anyone to talk to or anyone who can support them, lost their life to depression. Deaths of these celebs show us the darker side of the industry. Here are 6 celebrities who lost their life to depression.
1. Jiah Khan
Jiah Khan was a British-Indian actress, who become very famous after her debut in Nishabd with superstar Amitabh Bachchan was found hanging in her Juhu apartment. Her career was going quite well, she was lauded for her debut movie and amazing performance as supporting actress in Ghajini. Her committing suicide showed that even if you are successful in your life you can suffer from depression and loneliness. Not happy with her life she died at a very young age of 25.
2. Guru Dutt
Guru Dutt was a remarkable Indian actor director and producer. He played amazing roles in the classic movies Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Sahib bibi aur ghulam. Guru Dutt was in CNN’s list of top 25 asian actors of all time. His relationship with his wife was not going well. And the woman he loved so much started avoiding him. Tired with all the drama going on his life he attempted suicide thrice and one day Guru Dutt took sleeping pills combined with alcohol and was found dead in his apartment.
3. Silk Smitha
The Dirty Picture was said to be movie on her life. Silk Smitha, original name Vijayalakshmi Vadlapat was also known as the sex symbol of south. She had acted in over 400 films out of which few were also Bollywood movies. Smitha hanged herself to the ceiling fan. She left a suicide note which stated that she was ending her life due to constant failure.
4. Kuljeet Randhawa
Kuljeet Randhawa was one of the most popular TV actress of her times. She was known for her work in TV series C.A.T.S., Special Squad and Kohinoor. She committed suicide by hanging herself to the ceiling fan. Her suicide note said that she could not cope with the pressures of life. She also wrote a special note to Bhanu Uday saying, “I’m sorry Bhanu, I’m paying for my sins. You’re the most beautiful person in my life. You taught me the true meaning of love.” Depression is very powerful and sometimes it makes us so weak that we can’t understand the love and care we receive from our loved ones, and when we do we feel guilty for not being able to love them the same way.
5. Parveen Babi
Parveen Babi was most popular and highest paid actress of her time. Shea was a supermodel, actress and even interior designer. But her life engulfed in the claws of depression and she starved herself till she died. Her death was quite tragic. Neighbours discovered that she hadn’t come out to collect the newspaper and milk from her doorstep and when searched her house she was found dead. Parveen was struggling with diabetes. Post-mortem reports stated showed that there were no traces of food in her stomach, but some alcohol.
6. Kushal Punjabi
Kushal Punjabi was was an actor and a professional choreographer. He also won the reality show Zor ka Jhatka. Kushal committed suicide by hanging himself in his apartment . He died at the age of 42. News reports say that he was suffering from depression and struggling with life.
So this was the heart wrenching stories of the celebrities who lost their life to depression. This shows us not everyone’s life is as amazing as we thing. What we can learn from all this is the importance of being kind. Be kind, for everyone you meet fighting a battle you know nothing about.
READ MORE: 5 Bollywood Actors Who have fought Depression