Exclusive! 8 A.M. Metro's Saiyami Kher: Happy that anxiety and depression are being spoken about in films

Actress Saiyami Kher, who plays someone who suffers from a panic attack and anxiety in 8 A.M. Metro, opens up on the importance of conversations around mental health.

In the film, the actress plays a housewife and aspirant poet named Iravati. She is someone who constantly struggles to deal with anxiety, depression, and panic attacks that stem from a certain childhood memory.

In a conversation with OTTplay, we asked her if she felt connected with her on-screen character. Saiyami said, "There were several things about my character, Iravati, that I felt very emotionally connected with. Mental health and anxiety are real issues, and we are talking about them on various platforms. Some of my close friends have had anxiety attacks, and at times we just do not want to talk about it for fear of people's judgement. I am happy that times are changing and people are empathising with those who are suffering."

The actress also feels that when celebrities openly talk about mental health and the need to take care of our minds as much as our bodies, the taboo around mental health issues goes away, and that's where the real change starts.

"I strongly believe that people who are in a position to influence society should normalise mental health. And with people like Deepika Padukone, Virat Kohli, and other celebrities doing that, we are on the right track. It's good that people have understood that depression and anxiety have nothing to do with your achievements in life or how rich and famous you are. It is comforting for people who are suffering from anxiety and depression to know that they are not alone and that they are supported emotionally by the community. People should normalise asking for help and going to therapy. I would like to encourage people from small cities and villages to rid themselves of the taboo around mental health and talk about it," explained the Choked actress.

8 A.M. Metro is written and directed by Raj R and also stars Gulshan Devaiah. The film releases in theatres on May 19.