Sunil Grover's Revelation: The Psychological Safety of Becoming 'Someone Else'
While Sunil Grover has recently gained attention for his impeccable Aamir Khan impression on The Great Indian Kapil Show, his connection to performance extends far beyond mere mimicry. Long-time observers have frequently noted that even his comedic portrayals possess emotional depth, vulnerability, and an authentic sincerity. For Grover, acting serves not only to entertain audiences but also fulfills a deeply personal, introspective need.
The Comfort of Escaping Oneself
In a revealing interview with Film Companion Studios, Grover spoke openly about his preference for assuming alternate identities. "I love people. I'm not just happy with myself. I want to become somebody else most of the time; that makes me very comfortable," he confessed. "Right now, I am myself in front of so many cameras, and I'm not as comfortable as I would be if I were somebody else." These remarks resonate with a common human experience: the discomfort of fully confronting one's own identity and the relief found in adopting roles, routines, or personas that feel more manageable.
Grover elaborated on this process with profound introspection. "Because I don't know who I am. I don't know even now. I just know I enjoy being someone else. I enjoy experiencing emotions through someone else. It's very entertaining," he explained. "And sorry if I'm sounding a bit heavy, but when I pull off a character authentically, it gives a sense of meditation. It gives a feeling of exercise, and you forget yourself. When you become somebody else, for that moment, you completely forget who you are and live another life. That gives genuine satisfaction."
Psychological Explanation: Why Role-Playing Feels Safer
Dr. Sakshi Mandhyan, psychologist and founder of Mandhyan Care, provides insight into this phenomenon. "I usually see that stepping into a role gives the nervous system a break from self-evaluation," she explains. "When someone becomes a character or a version of themselves that feels defined and contained, there is less pressure to perform or defend who they are. In psychological terms, this creates emotional distance from personal vulnerability."
Dr. Mandhyan notes that for many individuals, the everyday self carries burdens of expectations and unresolved emotions. Assuming a role offers structure, providing the brain with clear guidelines on behavior and actions. This clarity can have a calming effect. "I explain this to clients as a form of psychological shelter," she says. "This is not always avoidance. It can also be a way to explore parts of the self that feel hard to access directly."
Deep Absorption: Flow States and Mindfulness
Dr. Mandhyan draws parallels between Grover's experience and psychological concepts. "What he describes is very close to what psychology calls a flow state," she observes. "I notice this in people when they are fully absorbed in something that matches their skills and attention. The sense of time softens. Self-criticism quiets. The brain shifts away from monitoring and toward engagement."
She further distinguishes this from mindfulness practices. In mindfulness, the emphasis lies on observing the present moment without judgment, whereas in flow states, the individual becomes fully immersed in the activity itself. Both approaches, however, reduce neural activity in brain regions associated with self-judgment and repetitive negative thinking.
Healthy Exploration Versus Emotional Avoidance
Dr. Mandhyan highlights the importance of distinguishing between beneficial role-playing and potentially harmful avoidance. "I usually look at what happens when the role ends," she mentions. "If a person can return to themselves without feeling empty or unsettled, then the exploration is likely healthy. If they feel restless or lost, the role may be serving as emotional cover."
Healthy exploration typically expands self-awareness and fosters curiosity about one's own emotions and needs. In contrast, avoidance tends to constrict awareness, leading to postponed emotional processing rather than genuine resolution. This distinction is crucial for understanding when adopting different personas serves psychological well-being versus when it might indicate underlying emotional challenges.
Sunil Grover's candid reflections offer a unique window into the psychological dynamics of performance, revealing how the art of becoming someone else can provide not only entertainment for others but also profound personal solace and meditative escape for the performer themselves.
