Zindaginama: A Mixed Attempt at Raising Mental Health Awareness

On World Mental Health Day, SonyLiv has released ‘Zindaginama,’ a six-chapter anthology exploring the complexities of mental health issues. Featuring an ensemble cast including Sumeet Vyas, Prajakta Koli, and Shreyas Talpade, the series aims to dismantle stigmas surrounding mental illnesses and initiate important conversations. According to the show’s creators, it seeks to underscore the significance of caregivers and support systems for those experiencing mental health challenges.

The anthology opens with ‘Swagatam,’ a story focusing on schizophrenia. This narrative stars Shreyas Talpade and Anjali Patil, and is crafted by writers Sukriti Tyagi, Ishaan Rai, and Rahul Hota, with direction by Tyagi. It reveals the duality of living with the illness, where the patient grapples with irrational fears while those around him harbor equal apprehensions. The episode cleverly uses a homegrown superhero image to convey its message, highlighting how even minor gestures can help restore confidence.

Another episode titled ‘One Plus One,’ directed by Mitakshara Kumar and written by Malika Kumar, delves into the themes of anorexia and body image issues. It features Prajakta Koli, Yashaswini Dayama, and Lilette Dubey, showcasing the harmful impact of snide remarks and comparisons on young women, a burden often perpetuated within families.

Created by Neerja Birla, with input from MPower mental health center, ‘Zindaginama’ investigates various mental health conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, gender dysphoria, gaming addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder within its six episodes. Each episode constructs a case study, leading to varied levels of impact and engagement.

The most poignant portrayal occurs in the schizophrenia chapter, with Shreyas Talpade offering a compelling performance as Mukul, whose paranoia disrupts his employment and household peace. Anjali Patil supports his character as the empathetic spouse, Malti. The episode starkly illustrates how mental health conditions can affect anyone, irrespective of economic status.

The series also tackles post-traumatic stress disorder with a narrative penned by Venkatesh AV and directed by Aditya Sarpotdar. This story, featuring Shweta Basu Prasad and Priya Bapat, explores how different aspects of trauma affect women, noting the necessity for profound counseling for recovery.

Another significant episode focuses on gender dysphoria, involving Sumeet Vyas and Mohammad Samad, portraying a sensitive journey of a boy trapped in a female body. Tanmay Dhanania’s portrayal of gaming addiction, with Shruti Seth as his therapist, and Shivani Raghuvanshi’s portrayal of obsessive-compulsive disorder, further enrich the series with diverse narratives.

While ‘Zindaginama’ aspires to educate viewers through entertainment, critics note that its abbreviated episode lengths may not fully encompass the complexities of each condition. Despite this, the series encourages acknowledging mental health issues and placing trust in professional help as key steps forward. This approach is considered simplistic by some, but it marks an important beginning in mental health discourse.