Taapsee Pannu’s comments on social media and mental health have highlighted the personal cost of trying to satisfy public expectations. In an interview with Hindustan Times around World Mental Health Day, the actress discussed why she chose to distance herself from social media and how years spent trying to please others affected her well-being. She also expressed concern that constant criticism is encouraging actors to present carefully managed online personas rather than showing their authentic selves.
Why Taapsee Pannu Decided to S tep Away From Social Media
Taapsee explained that she eventually reached a point where remaining active on social media no longer felt worth the emotional strain. She said she had to choose between stepping away from these platforms and continuing to experience distress while trying to maintain an image that did not reflect who she really was.
For her, taking a break became the more sensible option. The actress, known for films including Dunki, also pointed out that making fun of celebrities has become common online, but the normalisation of such behaviour does not mean it has no consequences.
Public figures may appear accustomed to criticism because their work regularly attracts attention. However, repeated personal attacks, harsh comments and public judgement can affect them just as they can affect anyone else. Taapsee’s remarks draw attention to the distinction between discussing an actor’s professional performance and targeting the person behind the public image.
Her decision also reflects a wider challenge faced by people who use social media regularly: separating genuine feedback from constant pressure to meet other people’s expectations. For someone whose appearance, work and personal choices are frequently discussed online, maintaining that distance can be particularly difficult.
How Online Trolling Is Changing Actors’ Public Images
Taapsee believes that relentless criticism has made actors more cautious about how they present themselves online. According to her, trolls frequently question why particular performers receive opportunities or suggest that certain individuals should no longer be part of the film industry.
She argued that such commentary can create insecurity, particularly when people who have little knowledge of an actor’s professional journey make sweeping judgements about their career. Over time, this atmosphere may encourage performers to avoid sharing opinions or aspects of their personalities that could invite further attacks.
Instead, some celebrities may feel compelled to create an image that is more acceptable to their online audience. Their social media accounts can begin to resemble carefully managed brands, with posts selected to attract approval and minimise controversy.
Taapsee’s concern is that audiences may gradually lose sight of the person behind the profile. When celebrities feel pressure to appear consistently polished, cheerful or agreeable, their online presence can become less spontaneous and more strategic.
Her comments do not suggest that every actor experiences social media in the same way. Rather, they highlight how public scrutiny can influence behaviour and encourage people to prioritise audience approval over personal comfort.
Taapsee Pannu’s Changing Understanding of Mental Health
The actress also spoke about how her understanding of mental health developed over time. She admitted that she once held a misconception shared by many people: that psychological support was necessary only when someone was experiencing a severe mental health crisis.
She initially associated therapy with extreme depression or situations in which a person could no longer express their emotions. With time, however, she came to recognise that mental well-being involves much more than responding to a crisis.
Taapsee described a broader understanding of mental health that includes being present, finding peace in everyday life and learning to appreciate what one already has. Her perspective reflects the importance of recognising emotional difficulties before they become overwhelming.
Mental health support can serve different purposes for different people. Therapy may help individuals understand recurring patterns, manage stress, navigate difficult relationships or develop healthier ways of responding to pressure. Seeking help does not necessarily mean someone is experiencing a severe condition.
By discussing her own change in perspective, Taapsee has added her voice to ongoing conversations about reducing the stigma surrounding psychological support. Her comments underline the value of treating mental health as part of everyday well-being rather than something that matters only during a crisis.
‘I Wasted Years Trying to Please Everyone’
Taapsee said she spent years attempting to make everyone happy, a goal she eventually realised was exhausting and impossible to achieve. Looking back, she regrets devoting so much energy to responding to criticism instead of using that time to develop herself as an actor.
She described the process of accepting this reality as a gradual one. The pressure to satisfy others had become so demanding that it took time for her to recognise its impact and decide to change her approach.
Her experience points to a familiar problem in the age of online visibility: the pursuit of universal approval can become a never-ending task. Social media allows criticism to reach people instantly and repeatedly, making it difficult to ignore negative reactions even when those opinions have little bearing on their personal or professional lives.
Taapsee also highlighted the role of media platforms that repeatedly criticise celebrities. In her view, ongoing commentary and comparisons can contribute to anxiety and make performers more conscious of how they are perceived.
Her message is not that public figures should be exempt from criticism. Instead, it raises a question about where legitimate discussion ends and personal attacks begin. Professional work can be reviewed and debated without turning every disagreement into a judgement of someone’s worth.
Why Her Comments Matter Beyond the Film Industry
Taapsee’s observations are relevant beyond celebrity culture. Many social media users experience pressure to appear successful, attractive or consistently happy, even when their real lives are more complicated. Constant exposure to carefully selected images can also encourage unhealthy comparisons and unrealistic expectations.
Celebrities may face these pressures on a larger scale because their personal lives attract public attention, but the underlying issue is familiar to anyone who feels compelled to seek online validation.
By choosing to step back, Taapsee has described one way of establishing boundaries with digital platforms. Her experience also serves as a reminder that people can reconsider how they use social media when it begins to affect their peace of mind.
The actress’s comments around World Mental Health Day bring the discussion back to a simple point: maintaining an online presence should not come at the expense of personal well-being. For Taapsee, learning to stop chasing universal approval was a difficult process, but one that helped her reconsider where her time and energy were best spent.