Bollywood is synonymous with glitz, grand openings, and staggering box office numbers. Public discourse revolves around star fees, viral moments, and the immediate verdict on a film's success or failure. However, behind this spectacle of bright lights and red carpets exists a quieter, often ignored reality. This is a world shaped by profound loneliness, constant uncertainty, harsh judgment, and immense emotional labour that rarely makes headlines.
The Unseen Emotional Toll in the Spotlight
An exclusive piece shifts focus from gossip to genuine growth, amplifying voices from within the industry. Through candid conversations with actor Alexx O'Nell, actor-producer-entrepreneur Vishakha Singh, and actor Kashika Kapoor, it uncovers the invisible pressures Bollywood normalises, the culture of silence it rewards, and the potential reforms that could foster a healthier environment for future generations.
The Pervasive Loneliness Behind the Crowds
For Alexx O'Nell, one of the most prolific non-Indian actors in Indian cinema, the most significant silent battle is loneliness. "It sounds ironic in an industry full of people, noise, and constant collaboration—but it's deeply real," he states. Film sets are bustling with technicians, co-actors, and crews, yet genuine emotional companionship is frequently absent. Artists, surrounded by people, can feel completely isolated.
This feeling is amplified for outsiders, O'Nell explains. Despite building his life in India and having a prolific 2025 with seven theatrical releases across Malayalam, Hindi, English, and Bengali cinema—including Lucifer 2: Empuraan, Kesari Chapter 2, and Phule—professional success does not erase inner solitude. The pressure to perpetually appear confident and 'winning' while navigating an unpredictable career adds to the isolation. He credits his manager, Shreeda, for being his crucial support system, emphasising that everyone in the business needs such grounding.
Silence as a Strategy and Its Cost
The industry's glamorous facade often enforces an unspoken rule: avoid complaint and confrontation. O'Nell admits he often chose silence over honesty, especially early in his career as a foreigner. "You quickly learn that being 'easy to work with' is often valued more than being honest," he reveals, fearing being labelled difficult or replaceable. While silence might offer short-term job security, it gradually erodes self-respect. He now believes finding one's voice, guided by a strong mentor, is essential.
Vishakha Singh, reflecting on her dual perspective as actor and producer, identifies uncertainty as the biggest normalised struggle. From financing and greenlights to release dates, nothing is stable. Raising funds is exceptionally tough without studio backing or star names, and even secured projects can collapse overnight due to shifting OTT plans or actor schedules. "A lot of this becomes unpaid emotional labour that no one accounts for; but everyone carries," she states. Her approach evolved from silent professionalism to principled clarity, documentation, and aligning with people of integrity.
Kashika Kapoor viewed her early silence as a tool for deep observation and learning. For her, growth brought the understanding that "your voice has value—but so does timing." Speaking truth with compassion, she found, creates more impact than speaking loudly.
Living by the Numbers: Box Office and Social Media Scrutiny
Bollywood aggressively quantifies worth through box office figures and social media metrics. Alexx O'Nell acknowledges that while artists pretend numbers don't matter, they undeniably influence perceptions of being 'bankable' or 'finished.' Social media amplifies this, inviting public judgment on everything from performance to personal appearance. Despite his successful lineup, he admits to days where he equates his success with reviews or collections. His refuge is music, though even there, downloads and streams become another scoreboard. "Art isn't meant to be a competition. Yet the pressure created by statistics never fully disappears," he concludes.
Vishakha Singh, whose work often exists outside mainstream formulas, focuses on adaptability in a post-COVID market with fragmented attention. She is less worried about judgment and more concerned about the industry's detachment from craft in the rush to chase trends. Kashika Kapoor treats judgment as a discipline, learning to separate feedback from self-worth. "Numbers tell you where you are; they don't tell you who you are," she asserts, finding grounding in the joy of the work itself.
The Path to Reform: Building a Healthier Ecosystem
All three artists highlight the stark absence of emotional and structural safety nets. For O'Nell, the solution begins with mentorship to guide newcomers through the industry's chaotic, unspoken rules and prevent self-blame. He passionately advocates for reconnecting cinema with theatre, where humility and discipline are learned, arguing it would reduce entitlement and deepen preparation.
Vishakha Singh calls for systemic change: "A real, functional HR and mental-health system—not lip service." She wishes for on-set counsellors, intimacy coordinators, and confidential grievance systems that were absent a decade ago. She also stresses the need for improved contracts, payment timelines, and scheduling discipline to professionalise the ecosystem.
Kashika Kapoor emphasises normalising conversations around emotional well-being as part of professionalism. "When people feel safe, seen, and supported, creativity expands," she says. Her vision is for authentic leadership that values collaboration over hierarchy, where talent can truly thrive.
Collectively, these insights reveal an industry at a crossroads. While Bollywood continues to sell dreams, it often forces its artists to bear the weight of uncertainty and isolation in silence. The cost of this silence is becoming unsustainable. The next chapter of Bollywood's evolution may depend less on spectacular numbers and more on genuinely listening to and supporting the people who create its magic.
