Actor and producer Vishnu Vishal on 9 September 2026 shared an extended, deeply personal account of his ongoing battle with depression and anxiety, urging fans, followers, and anyone facing similar struggles not to postpone living while chasing distant milestones. The post, published on his X timeline, came weeks after the blockbuster success of his film Gatta Kusthi 2 — and candidly acknowledged that even that triumph had not quieted his anxious mind.

Eight Years of a Private Battle

Vishnu Vishal revealed that he first began experiencing signs of depression and anxiety around 2018, a period that coincided with a personal setback just as his career appeared to stabilise with the success of RATSASAN. 'Ever since I entered cinema, every passing year came with the hope that I would eventually "settle down" and have a stable life,' he wrote, adding that as a self-described introvert, adapting to the industry's constant uncertainty was 'challenging and, at times, painful.'

He had previously spoken publicly about his mental health struggles in 2020, through an open letter to his audience. Now, six years on, he returned to the subject with fresh perspective — and a frank admission that some of the internal battles remain unresolved.

The Pressure Behind the Scenes

Vishnu described how he channelled his distress into work, convincing himself that one defining blockbuster would resolve everything he felt inside. The COVID-19 pandemic deepened his anxiety, even as he delivered back-to-back successes with FIR and Gatta Kusthi in the post-pandemic period. He recalled that false promises from certain directors and producers led him to extend committed dates, sit idle for months, and honour professional obligations — all without receiving payment even for his originally agreed terms.

'I kept believing that relationships were more important and that the money would eventually come,' he wrote, noting that the expected compensation never materialised. Running a production house simultaneously added financial pressure, as he felt a personal responsibility to ensure every crew member and staff family was paid on time. Over time, he said, the anxiety evolved into an auto-immune condition. He disclosed that over the past three years he has been consistent with therapy, and has taken medication for anxiety and depression on several occasions under professional guidance.

Success That Did Not Fix Everything

Perhaps the most striking admission in the post was what followed the success of Gatta Kusthi 2. 'Two months after the huge success of Gatta Kusthi 2. And...nothing has changed,' he wrote. He described a familiar cycle — brief happiness, relief, and fulfilment after an achievement, followed within days by a return to the same anxious emptiness and the need to reach the next milestone. 'The next big success is not going to fix anything forever,' he concluded.

Reflecting on a career that began at age 13 as a cricketer, Vishnu — now 42 — said he had missed family occasions, time with loved ones, and his own health in the pursuit of the 'big picture.' He noted that his son is now 9 years old, that his parents have aged, and that time has moved faster than he anticipated. He also spoke warmly of his relationship with his wife and daughter, even as he admitted to occasionally wondering whether to walk away from cinema entirely.

A Message to Those Fighting Silently

'Don't sacrifice every small moment of happiness for some imaginary big picture,' Vishnu wrote, framing the message as both a personal reminder and a note to anyone — in cinema or any other walk of life — who recognises the same pattern. He urged people to earn what they rightfully deserve, save and plan, but also to celebrate small wins, spend time with family, take care of their health, and not defer living until conditions become perfect.

He closed with a direct appeal to those dealing with anxiety or depression: 'Get help. Talk to someone. Go to therapy. Take care of yourself. We may learn to live with it, or we may overcome it. But we don't have to succumb to it... Never give up. And don't forget to LIVE.' The post has drawn widespread attention and an outpouring of support from fans and fellow industry members, reflecting a growing openness around mental health conversations in Indian cinema.