Actress Kirti Kulhari has spoken candidly about the toll that six to seven months of intense work pressure took on her well-being, revealing how stress had quietly embedded itself into her daily routine while she was producing her debut film. The disclosure, shared through a personal social media post, has sparked a wider conversation about burnout and self-care in the entertainment industry.

The Weight of a First Film as Producer

Kulhari, known for her role in Uri: The Surgical Strike, admitted that her first venture as a producer left her deeply drained. She described the period as one where she was “buried” in the project, with stress gradually normalising into something she almost accepted as routine. “Stress had become a way of life. A part of me wanted to normalise it but a bigger part of me was not okay with it,” she wrote in her post.

The film in question is Nayeka, a dark comedy thriller produced under her newly launched banner Kintsukuroi Films, in which she also plays the lead role. The production process, by her own account, was all-consuming.

The Panchakarma Retreat That Helped Her Reset

Seeking relief, Kulhari travelled to Ayursiddha Jeevanam, an Ayurvedic wellness centre located in Attingal, Kerala, for a Panchakarma therapy session — a traditional detoxification and rejuvenation treatment rooted in Ayurveda. She noted that the centre, reportedly a 400-year-old property, offered simple amenities, authentic Kerala cuisine, and a restorative environment. “It really did feel like Home,” she wrote, adding that she “returned healthier, fresher and so grateful for a body that endures so much without complaining.”

Kulhari credited actor Adil Hussain for recommending the centre to her.

A Note on Animal Welfare

During her stay, Kulhari also used her platform to raise awareness about animal captivity after encountering an elephant on one of her walks. She clarified that she filmed the animal not out of enjoyment but to draw attention to the issue — a detail that underscores the actress’s advocacy instincts even during a personal retreat.

Where Kulhari Stands Professionally

Beyond Nayeka, Kulhari was most recently seen in the web series Shekhar Home. Her move into production marks a significant career pivot, and by her own admission, one that came with an unexpectedly steep personal cost. The candid post resonates at a time when conversations around mental health and workplace stress in the Indian entertainment industry are growing louder.

Whether Nayeka delivers on its promise will be watched closely — both as a creative debut and as the project that pushed one of Bollywood’s more outspoken actresses to her limits.