Trishala Dutt, the eldest daughter of Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt, has ignited a conversation about emotional manipulation by calling out the toxic use of silence in relationships. The psychotherapist, who lives and works in the United States, took to her private Instagram account to share a powerful critique of this behaviour, which fans have since circulated widely.
The Cryptic Note Against Emotional Manipulation
In her recent social media post, Trishala Dutt did not mince words. She identified a specific pattern where individuals weaponize silence to control and hurt their partners. "Silence used as punishment is abuse," she wrote emphatically. According to her analysis, this tactic is a manipulative tool designed to condition the other person. "They are silently 'teaching' you that your voice is dangerous, and that speaking up will clearly cost you connection with them," she explained, highlighting the damaging psychological impact.
Trishala, who has often spoken about mental wellness, expressed strong disdain for this behaviour. She asserted that no one deserves to be treated in such a manner and urged people to reject such covert abuse to protect their inner peace. Her advice was clear: instead of resorting to unfair tactics, individuals in relationships should strive for open and honest communication. "Real relationships don't teach you lessons through pain, they heal through communication," she concluded, offering a healthier alternative.
Self-Respect vs. Power Play: Two Types of Silence
Importantly, Trishala Dutt clarified that not all silence is harmful. She drew a crucial distinction between silence used as a self-protective measure and silence deployed as a weapon.
On one hand, she described a positive, intentional silence that someone might employ for their own well-being. This could be taking a few hours to cool down during a conflict to avoid saying something hurtful. "Silence that protects your nervous system is self respect," she noted.
On the other hand, she defined the toxic version where silence is calculated to inflict pain, gain control, or punish the other person. "Silence that punishes someone else is power play," Trishala stated, marking a clear line between healthy boundary-setting and emotional abuse.
Life Away from the Bollywood Glare
Trishala Dutt's life has unfolded largely away from the film industry's spotlight. She is the daughter of Sanjay Dutt and his first wife, the late actress Richa Sharma, who passed away from a brain tumour in 1996. After her mother's tragic death, Trishala was raised by her maternal grandparents in the United States.
Sanjay Dutt later married Maanayata Dutt, and the couple are parents to twins Shahraan and Iqra. Despite the physical distance, Trishala occasionally makes headlines for her candid social media posts, where she shares her perspectives on life, mental health, and personal struggles, including past remarks about being judged from birth due to her famous family name.
By leveraging her platform as a mental health professional, Trishala Dutt continues to shed light on important but often overlooked aspects of emotional well-being, encouraging her followers to identify and walk away from manipulative behaviours in any relationship.
