TV stars have expressed concern over the deteriorating mental health of actors and actresses in the television industry following the death of Sasural Simar Ka actress Vaishali Takkar, who allegedly killed herself at her Indore residence recently. Dealing with broken relationships, maintaining a balance between personal and professional life, and the pressure of retaining their position in the industry contributed to mental health issues of television actors, they said.

Nyrraa M Banerji: It’s really disturbing. She (Vaishali) was a chirpy and positive girl. We must have a support system in place. We need to share our lives with a friend or a parent.

Shehzada Dhami: One must have one or two people in life with whom they can share everything. You just can’t tell what is going on inside one’s mind. Have people around you who you can trust. Life is too beautiful to be given away. Relationships are causing a lot of pain in most actors’ lives these days.

Mitaali Nag: I am shocked. Though I never got a chance to meet her, I had heard such good things about her from the hair and makeup artists…. I have learnt one thing from the rise in the number of suicide cases, which is to be kind. Everyone is fighting their own battle. God bless her soul and give strength to her family.

Sudhanshu Pandey: We need to identify people who show signs of mental health issues through their behaviour and help them.

Mitu: I’m trying to come to terms with her loss. I wouldn’t like to say anything at this moment. I will just work on creating a safe space around myself. That’s the best I can do.

Prateik Chaudhary: We all must have a support system in place. Having people to share your life with is a must. Acting is a demanding profession. Developing personal and professional balance is not an easy thing to do.

Aniruddh Dave: It’s disheartening. Why are such things happening? I don’t know what to say. I am speechless.

Neelu Kohli: Our appearances are so deceptive. I met this girl when we were shooting together for a web series. She was such an innocent girl. But I don’t know whether her personal support system was with her or not. She wanted to do so much in life when I met her. This was even before she did Sasural Simar Ka. At that time, I could see so much focus and passion in her.

Shehzad Shaikh: As an acting community, we need to stay closer together and be more friendly with each other. It’s a big loss for this community.