Even after two successful decades in the unpredictable world of Bollywood, actor Neha Dhupia has revealed that periods without work trigger intense anxiety and private moments of despair. In a candid conversation, she highlighted the emotional toll of long gaps between projects, a reality for many in the entertainment industry and beyond.
The Private Struggle Behind the Public Smile
Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, Dhupia admitted, "I do get anxiety when I'm not working." She described the vulnerable reality behind her public persona, stating that despite her experience, the uncertainty still weighs heavily. "Even after 20 years in the industry, when the lights are out, I do put my head into a pillow and cry. I did it three days ago," she shared.
The actor addressed the common advice to develop a thick skin in competitive fields like film. "It gets very tough. It is advocated to be thick-skinned, but everything matters," she explained. The feeling of being left behind is particularly acute. "The part that matters the most is that when you are not working, everybody around you is working. You see life pass by."
Dhupia also touched on the exhausting nature of extended dry spells, even when one stays busy with other professional avenues. "I get so tired when there is no acting jobs for 3-4 years but by the grace of God, I am never out of work because I do so many things," she said, calling it an "exhausting but rewarding business." She expressed uncertainty about whether current work leads to future opportunities, questioning the conversion rate of success into sustained momentum.
Why Career Gaps Trigger Anxiety and Self-Doubt
Gurleen Baruah, an organisational psychologist at That Culture Thing, explains this phenomenon is not unique to celebrities. "Many high-functioning and successful people unconsciously tie their sense of worth to productivity, visibility, and momentum," she tells indianexpress.com. Over time, work evolves from a role into a core part of one's identity. When that work pauses, it can feel like a loss of self, activating imposter syndrome and existential dread.
Baruah adds that success does not shield individuals from these feelings. In fact, it can intensify the fear because there is more perceived to lose. "The silence after constant validation can feel loud, personal, and destabilising, even when the break is situational and not a reflection of ability," she notes.
Navigating Comparison and Building Real Resilience
During career gaps, constant comparison with peers, especially on social media, can be particularly damaging. "We often compare our lowest moments with others' most curated highlights," Baruah admits. This habit feeds jealousy, shame, and erodes confidence, creating a pervasive sense of being "less than."
Building genuine emotional resilience is key to coping. Baruah emphasizes that resilience does not come from suppressing fear but from acknowledging how difficult uncertainty truly is. It involves a shift from self-pressure to self-focus—working on skills and growth without self-punishment.
Adopting a growth mindset, where setbacks are viewed as information rather than final verdicts, is crucial. "Staying connected to people who see you beyond your output is crucial," Baruah concludes. Helpful strategies include:
- Practicing awareness to catch comparison spirals early.
- Turning attention inward through grounding practices or journaling.
- Seeking therapy to navigate complex emotions.
- Acknowledging one's own strengths and core values outside of work.
Neha Dhupia's openness sheds light on a widespread but often unspoken challenge, reminding us that mental health struggles in the face of professional uncertainty are a human experience, not a sign of failure.
