‘Many told me I shouldn’t have’: Nazriya on mental health post

Pic credit: Instagram/ Nazriya Nazim Fahadh

In April 2025, when actor-producer Nazriya Nazim opened up about her mental health struggles, the reaction was swift and divided. Her fans were surprised that someone as happy-go-lucky as her could be drowning emotionally. Given that open conversations about mental health and illness are still largely considered taboo, an A-lister’s revelation was significant. After more than a year, Nazriya Nazim addressed why she posted at all, and why the pushback from those who thought she shouldn't have only proved her point. “It was not an impulsive decision,” Nazriya Nazim told Variety India in an interview published on September 6, 2026.

Speaking about mental health mattered

Nazriya Nazim, known for her infectious energy and constant engagement, told her followers on April 16, 2025, that she had been struggling emotionally, so much so that she eventually disappeared from the public eye. Her absence was noticeable, given her strong social media presence, where she had once amassed more followers than Malayalam cinema superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal. For Nazriya, who shared glimpses of her professional and personal life online, talking about her mental health challenges only felt natural. But not everyone appreciated the openness or found it courageous.“Once my mental health post came out, many people told me that I should not have posted it,” Nazriya Nazim told the outlet.

However, for her, the decision wasn't a spur-of-the-moment confession, she says. It came from a deliberate place. “It was not an impulsive decision.”This decision is significant because vulnerability is often seen as weakness in our society. When that comes from a leading and bankable actor, the stakes are even higher. For the ‘Sookshmadarshini’ actor, though, it was only natural. Openness has long been part of her persona, and a re-route from that didn’t make sense. “I’ve always been a very open person, so it’s only fair for me to show the others what was happening in my life,” she said.

Nazriya Nazim, who has long embodied the girl-next-door persona, wanted her online community to know that it was okay not to be okay. “It came from a space where I wanted people to feel like it’s okay to go through challenges.”And Nazriya understands why people might have been surprised. After all, her friends and fans had mostly seen the happiest, most cheerful side of her. However, she reminds us that being happy and struggling with mental health are not mutually exclusive. “Even today, friends look at me and wonder that since I was so chirpy, how could I have a mental health challenge. Even the happiest of people can go through their lows. It is very normal.”According to the World Health Organization's data from 2025, more than a billion people live with a mental health condition, globally. Most people associate depression with a constant state of sadness or despair. But depression is not a one-size-fits-all condition. There is a wide spectrum of emotions and states of being, including feeling happiness at times. There is something called high-functioning depression, where one can function absolutely 'fine', manage their day-to-day responsibilities at home and work, and still experience depression.Nazriya Nazim also said that when she wrote the post, she approached it as a human being rather than as an actor. “And when I posted my thoughts, I was not thinking of myself as an actor, but more as a human and it was so relieving to showcase my authentic emotions. I just wanted to be honest with my fans,” she told the outlet.

What did Nazriya Nazim say in the 2025 post?

On April 16, 2025, Nazriya Nazim took to her Instagram account and revealed that she had spent months struggling so badly that she disappeared. She missed her 30th birthday and New Year's, and even the success of her film Sookshmadarshini, along with many other important moments. She wanted her fans to know why she disappeared from social media. “Over the past few months, I've been struggling with my emotional wellbeing and personal challenges that have made it difficult for me to be present. I missed celebrating my 30th birthday and New Year's, the success of my film 'Sookshmadarshini', along with many other important moments,” she said.Her absence was not limited to online. Even her friends didn’t hear from her. She didn't answer calls, and that left them deeply worried. “I also want to apologize to all my friends for not explaining why I went missing and for not picking up calls or responding to messages. I'm truly sorry for any worry or inconvenience I may have caused. I did shut down completely. I also want to extend my apologies to all my colleagues who have been trying to reach me for work. I've been absent and I'm sorry for any disruptions this may have caused,” she said.Nazriya Nazim expressed how rocky the journey was for her. “It's been a tough journey, but I want you to know that I'm working on healing and getting better every day. I appreciate your understanding and support during this time. I may need a bit more time to fully return, but I promise I'm on the path to recovery.”

And she wrote the note because she truly felt she owed her family, friends and fans an explanation for her absence. “I wrote this down today because I felt like I owe an explanation to all my family, friends and fans for disappearing like this. Love u all… and reconnect soon. Thank you all for being here and for your endless support.”After a brief hiatus, Nazriya Nazim is working on two films: a Tamil movie opposite Suriya, tentatively titled ‘Suriya 47’, and another untitled Telugu film.