Kannada actress Amrutha Ramamoorthi opens up on struggles, mental health and harsh realities of serial sets

Kannada television actress Amrutha Ramamoorthi has candidly spoken about the emotional toll, demanding schedules and lack of basic facilities on daily soap sets, revealing that the pressures once pushed her to consider quitting the industry altogether.

In a recent interview, the actress said that her experience in a serial in January 2025 left her deeply disturbed, as the role conflicted with her personal values. “I was playing a mother who rejects her child. As a real-life mother, I couldn’t digest that. People told me to treat it as just a character, but I couldn’t. Viewers began criticising not just the role, but my personal life. I went into depression for a long time,” she said.

Highlighting the gap between perception and reality, Amrutha noted that audiences often assume actors lead glamorous lives. “People think our lives are luxurious when they see us on screen. But no one understands what happens behind the scenes. Even asking for a basic facility like a bathroom for women is seen as a luxury,” she said.

She further revealed the intense working conditions on television sets, where actors often have no time to rest. “We are made to shoot nearly 12 scenes a day. There’s no time to sit, no proper breaks. At best, we get a few minutes if someone else is shooting close-up scenes. Otherwise, only meal breaks are available. For the kind of roles I get, even that break is rare,” she added.

Amrutha admitted that the experience had once made her decide to quit acting altogether. “After that one serial, I had decided to leave the industry. I didn’t know if speaking openly would be seen as exaggeration, but I felt it was important to tell the truth,” she said.

The actress also opened up about a series of personal challenges she faced in recent years, including postpartum depression, business losses and financial strain. She credited her husband and parents for supporting her through the difficult phase and helping her regain strength.

Despite the setbacks, Amrutha has now returned to television and signed a new project. She will be seen in the upcoming serial ‘Mahalakshmi Maduve’, where she plays the role of the male lead’s sister, a character with negative shades. The actress, however, is expected to appear in a simple, relatable avatar that resonates with audiences.