Rahul Sharma Thinks TV Industry’s “Real Hustle” Is Mental Health

MUMBAI (IANS)– Actor Rahul Sharma, known for his role as Anshuman in Star Plus’s “Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai,” recently spoke about the significant mental health pressures within the TV industry. He shared his personal experiences, highlighting that maintaining emotional stability, particularly during professional downtime, is a major challenge for actors today.

Sharma explained, “People often talk about the hustle in acting. But for me, it’s not the actual work—that I love—it’s the uncertainty that’s the real hustle. Sometimes, there’s a lot of work; other times, there are long dry spells. Managing that unpredictability, staying mentally balanced through those gaps—that’s where the real challenge lies. And that uncertainty doesn’t really go away, even with success.”

He further elaborated on the financial aspect, stating, “Even if you’re earning big money, your responsibilities and expenses scale up with it. You’re never truly sure when the next project will come or if it will match the last one creatively or financially. That’s just how this industry is—it’s complex, it’s unstable, and you have to make peace with that ambiguity.”

Rahul Sharma also acknowledged that the television industry never truly becomes easier, as each new role presents its own unique set of demands. While experience can make the process more manageable, he believes that every character offers a distinct emotional journey that still requires depth and sensitivity.

“You might assume that with time and experience, it gets easier to slip into emotions. And yes, you do understand your emotional process better. But every role still brings a new layer, a new lens. The same situation—a loss, anger, or joy—can feel entirely different depending on the character you’re playing.”

Rahul concluded, “The emotion is never the same twice. Some characters require you to go really deep, while others are more surface-level. But every time, it’s a fresh journey. So no, I wouldn’t say it ever gets easy. It’s a new challenge every time.”