'It's a Beautiful Advantage': Ram Charan Reflects on Privilege and Professional Setbacks
In a candid conversation that resonates with professionals across industries, actor Ram Charan has opened up about navigating career highs and lows, the weight of familial legacy, and the importance of mentally clocking out after work hours. His reflections, shared on the automobile show Cars With Stars, highlight a universal struggle: learning to separate identity from professional achievements.
Privilege as a Learning Advantage, Not a Burden
Addressing the often-debated topic of privilege, Ram Charan described growing up in a film family as a significant advantage rather than a burden. As the son of legendary actor Chiranjeevi and nephew of star Pawan Kalyan, he acknowledged the unique insights this background provided.
"It's a beautiful advantage to have that kind of insight and experience from the family. You learn everything a little quicker than someone who is starting fresh from an acting school. And frankly, I saw it only as an advantage," he explained.
When questioned about whether expectations felt overwhelming, he responded with characteristic humor and honesty: "It was not difficult for me; it was difficult for the audience to accept it."
Emotional Detachment: Switching Off Without Guilt
Perhaps most striking was Ram Charan's approach to separating work from personal identity—a challenge many face in high-pressure careers. He shared his disciplined routine of compartmentalization.
"Frankly, I don't take myself too seriously. From 8 to 6, I do my job very religiously, and after that, I just forget what I do. I don't dwell on my success," he revealed.
Yet he acknowledged that professional setbacks leave a deeper mark. "Failures are tough. It does take you a notch back," he admitted, touching on the emotional toll that missteps can take even on established professionals.
Why Failures Haunt Us More Than Successes
Psychotherapist Sneha Vashisht, founder of Happidition, explains why failures tend to impact people more profoundly than achievements. "Failures tend to hurt more than successes because the mind is naturally drawn to what feels threatening," she notes.
Vashisht elaborates that while we quickly move past accomplishments, setbacks linger because the brain treats them as warnings rather than momentary events. "What deepens the impact is how closely failure gets tied to identity. Success is often seen as something we did, while failure feels like something we are," she observes.
This psychological dynamic means that even after years of growth, a single professional setback can quietly undermine confidence and trigger self-doubt. The scrutiny that follows failures—both external and internal—intensifies this effect, as failures are replayed, analyzed, and judged long after successes have been accepted and forgotten.
Practical Strategies for Mental Detachment
For those struggling to switch off after work, Vashisht emphasizes that the challenge often isn't about long hours but emotional availability. "Many people struggle to switch off after work, not because of long hours, but because they remain emotionally on duty. We often mistake responsibility for being mentally available all the time," she explains.
She recommends conscious closure rituals instead of abrupt endings to the workday:
- Acknowledge what you accomplished well
- Identify tasks that can reasonably wait
- Remind yourself that tomorrow has its own dedicated time
- Pair this reflection with one intentional act of presence
"Your job needs your skills during office hours, not your emotional energy late into the night," Vashisht advises, suggesting activities like quiet sitting, undistracted family time, or engaging in outcome-free pursuits.
Managing External Judgment While Maintaining Internal Balance
When facing professional criticism or scrutiny, Vashisht recommends strategic pause before response. "Not every comment needs an answer, and not every doubt deserves your energy. Explaining yourself too often only keeps you emotionally tied to other people's opinions," she notes.
She emphasizes that professionals don't owe everyone explanations for their journeys or backgrounds. "Focus on doing your work properly and handling your responsibilities well. Over time, performance speaks louder than assumptions," Vashisht concludes, highlighting that consistent excellence ultimately outweighs transient judgments.
Ram Charan's reflections, combined with expert psychological insights, offer a nuanced perspective on navigating privilege, processing professional setbacks, and cultivating sustainable work-life boundaries—challenges relevant far beyond the film industry.
