Ravi Mohan reveals self-harm at press meet amid divorce, custody battle
Synopsis
Tamil actor-director Ravi Mohan publicly disclosed self-harm at a Chennai press conference on 16 May, pointing to marks on his wrists and alleging he is being denied access to his children amid a divorce. His announcement of a work hiatus and alarming statements about not wanting to remain alive have drawn urgent attention to his mental health crisis.
Key Takeaways
Ravi Mohan disclosed self-harm at a press conference at Ravi Mohan Studios, Chennai on 16 May .
He pointed to marks on his wrists and made statements about not wanting to remain alive, attributing his distress to his divorce and custody dispute .
He alleged his wife and her parents are preventing him from meeting his children, with phones confiscated and a bodyguard sent to school.
Ravi Mohan announced he will not act in any film until his divorce proceedings are resolved.
He called for the court to provide a solution and said he is ‘alive only because of his children.’
Tamil actor, director, and producer Ravi Mohan broke down publicly on Saturday, 16 May, at an urgently convened press conference at Ravi Mohan Studios in Chennai, disclosing that he had begun hurting himself amid an ongoing personal crisis linked to his marital separation and an alleged denial of access to his children.
What Ravi Mohan Said
Visibly distressed and breaking down multiple times during the press conference, Ravi Mohan made a series of alarming statements. “I shouldn’t remain alive. That is the maximum they want. It will definitely happen. But I will finish everybody and only then go. I will go happily. I will go with a smile. Already, it has started,” he said, referring to his wife and her parents.
The actor also pointed to marks on his wrists, stating, “This is what will happen. That is what they want. I gave it everything. I have the whole proof.” He announced that he would not act in any film until his divorce proceedings were concluded.
The Custody Dispute
Ravi Mohan alleged that he was being prevented from meeting his children, and that their phones had been confiscated and a bodyguard deployed to follow them at school. “They aren’t letting me see my children. I started hurting myself,” he said, directly connecting his self-harm to the custody situation.
He recalled how he had publicly celebrated acting alongside his son in the film ‘Tik Tik Tik’, saying he had tweeted it was the happiest day of his life. Defending his bond with his children, he said, “I would play chess with my second son every day. Daily I would lose to my second son in chess. Are you saying I do not have love for my kids?”
Call for Court Intervention
When asked about a resolution, Ravi Mohan said the answer lay with the judiciary. “The solution must come from the court. I can only make a prayer to them. After a man says he can’t be there, what more can he do? I am alive only because of my children,” he said.
He also issued a warning, saying, “If something happens to me or to Keneesha, whom you all sent away, only that family is responsible. Nobody else is responsible.”
Background and Context
Ravi Mohan, a prominent figure in Tamil cinema known for both acting and production work, has been living apart from his family following a marital breakdown. This is the first time he has spoken publicly about the extent of his mental and physical distress. The press conference, held at his own studio, drew significant attention given the gravity of his disclosures. Advocates and mental health professionals have noted that public figures disclosing self-harm in such settings underscores the need for accessible crisis support systems.
As the matter is reportedly before the courts, the legal proceedings are expected to determine custody arrangements going forward.
Point of View
And the media’s role in how it covers such events demands careful judgment. The allegations of child access denial, if substantiated, point to failures in the family court system to enforce timely interim orders — a recurring complaint among separated parents in India. What is missing from this narrative is any institutional response: no welfare check, no court-appointed mediator, no mental health intervention on record. Tamil cinema’s ecosystem, which generates enormous cultural capital, has no visible support infrastructure for its own when they fall apart this publicly.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ravi Mohan disclose at his press conference on 16 May?
Ravi Mohan disclosed that he had begun hurting himself, pointing to marks on his wrists at a press conference held at Ravi Mohan Studios in Chennai on 16 May. He cited his marital separation and alleged denial of access to his children as the reasons for his distress.
Why is Ravi Mohan not working in films currently?
Ravi Mohan announced at the press conference that he will not act in any film until his divorce proceedings are concluded. He said the ongoing personal crisis has made it impossible for him to work in peace.
What are Ravi Mohan’s allegations regarding his children?
Ravi Mohan alleged that his wife and her parents are preventing him from meeting his children, that the children’s phones have been confiscated, and that a bodyguard is being sent to their school. He said this denial of access is directly contributing to his self-harm.
What solution did Ravi Mohan seek?
Ravi Mohan said the solution must come from the court and that he can only make a prayer to the judiciary. The matter is reportedly before the courts, which are expected to determine custody arrangements.
Who is Ravi Mohan in Tamil cinema?
Ravi Mohan is a prominent Tamil film actor, director, and producer. He is known for his work in films including ‘Tik Tik Tik’, in which he also acted alongside his son. He operates Ravi Mohan Studios in Chennai.
