An actor is emotionally invested in work, and it's not easy to switch off when the camera does: Shivani Gosain

Currently seen in Rangbaazi Dilon Ki, Shivani Gosain believes that long-term stress in acting is real. “At the end of the day, everyone is human and wants to live a peaceful, healthy, and happy life. But that becomes difficult with constant work, competition, unpredictable outcomes despite immense effort, and endless expectations,” she says. “An actor is emotional invested in work, and it's not easy to switch off when the camera does.”

Speaking about actors who step away at the peak of their careers, she feels such decisions are often misunderstood. “After achieving so much, if someone still cannot find peace or happiness in what they are doing, it becomes an inner calling to pause and reconnect with themselves. Sometimes walking away is not giving up; it is choosing oneself.”

She adds that such choices should not be judged. “It is their life, and they have every right to choose what feels right for their peace and happiness. Protecting your nervous system, your mental balance, and your health is not weakness—it requires extraordinary strength.”

Highlighting the industry’s demands, she says, “This is not a 9-to-5 job with weekends or festival holidays. The industry runs 24x7, with constant pressure to stay relevant, deliver results, and outperform.”

Shivani believes conversations around mental health are long overdue. “We talk about quitting unhealthy habits, but rarely about stepping away from environments that harm us every single day. That shift in conversation is important—and necessary.”