What makes young TV actors snap?

The last 18 months have been strewn with tragedies in the television industry with several young and upcoming actors resorting to suicide, The death of 25-year-old actress Soujanya aka Savi Madappa once again turns the spotlight on the dynamics of the television industry, especially in a post-pandemic world.Young actors vulnerable For aspiring actors who come to the industry with stars in their eyes, the very first hurdle is to land a role in an extremely competitive industry. An industry insider says, “Upcoming actors face varied challenges. If their career gets off to a good start with shows doing well on the TRP charts, then everything is absolutely fine. But the trouble begins when they don’t taste success early in their career. They have to contend with societal and parental pressure as they have nothing against their name to show the world. This makes them desperate and suicidal.”Add to that the fact that even those who do get roles are meagrely paid and you have a recipe for disaster. Actor Sumanth, who has just started his career in television, says, “Even if newbies do get offers, we are meagerly paid which makes it difficult for us to sustain ourselves in a city like Bengaluru where the cost of living is way too high. With things returning to normal, we are hoping for brighter days.”Actor Rajesh Dhruva, who has been in the industry for over 10 years, seconds Sumanth when he says, “Any newcomer in the television industry needs to have an alternative source of income till they have established themselves. If they lose an acting offer and don’t have a fall-back option, it pushes them into depression, thus forcing them to take such an extreme step.”'Being level-headed is the keyIt’s not only the newcomers who stare at an uncertain future. “Even actors who have starred in famous serials are struggling to get roles because the makers think their remuneration is too high and prefer opting for relatively fresher faces,” says an industry insider. “There are several actors who have quit television to concentrate on films, but have stagnated because the film industry is yet to recover from the lockdowns. At the end of the day, youngsters should realize that life is more precious than a career.” Is it all about fame?“When we hear of celebrities dying by suicide, we wonder if there is a correlation between fame and suicide,” says pyschologist Neha Cadabam.While she admits that there may be no direct correlation, she feels that the online world does compound the pressures celebrities face. “Celebrity lives are no more private and I think this brings with it compounded stress and pressure to perform, to excel and go up the ladder of fame and success. And this may be hard for some,” says Neha.She adds that research shows that many people who become famous have a unique brain chemistry that may put them at higher risk for depression and suicide.Sad endingsJayashree Ramaiah- A former Bigg Boss Kannada contestant, the actress was found dead at a rehabilitation center in Bengaluru earlier this year.Susheel Gowda-A fitness trainer and actor, he died by suicide in his hometown, Mandya. Chandana-The 29-year-old ended her life by consuming poison. Soujanya-The actress wrote a heart-wrenching suicide note stating that she ‘could not take it anymore’ before she hung herself.