Arjun Kapoor opens up about battling 'Mild Depression' and Hashimoto's Disease

Arjun Kapoor, known for his role in Singham Again, has bravely opened up about his personal struggles with "mild depression" and Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid. In a heartfelt conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Arjun shared how his body reacts unpredictably to stress, including weight fluctuations after flights, and how he has learned to manage both his physical and mental health challenges over time.

Hashimoto’s disease, which runs in his family, has had a profound impact on Arjun's health. He explained how the condition can trigger his body to go into distress, leading to weight gain after something as routine as a flight. 

He said, "Its almost like I can take a flight and gain weight because the body goes in distress. That happened to be when I was 30 and I defied it." The Singham Again actor mentioned that his 'mom used to have it' and sister, Anshula Kapoor, also have the condition, and reflected on how he noticed changes in his body over time, especially during his film career.

In addition to the physical toll, Arjun spoke candidly about his battle with mental health. He shared how, for a period, he struggled with "mild depression" and felt disconnected from his usual passions. Arjun explained that while he generally prefers to handle his struggles privately, last year he recognized that he needed professional help. He described how, during a particularly tough phase, he started losing interest in films—something that had always been a source of joy for him. The realization led him to question his future in the film industry and wonder whether he would ever get the chance to do what he loved again.

Reflecting on the emotional toll of this period, Arjun revealed that while he had never been a bitter person, the overwhelming feelings of self-doubt and sadness started to affect him in an unsettling way. To cope, he turned to watching YouTube shorts to help him fall asleep, and experimented with therapy. Although his initial therapy sessions with a few therapists didn't seem to help, he eventually found someone who truly listened to him and helped him work through his struggles.

Eventually, he found someone who truly listened, and after their sessions, he was diagnosed with mild depression, which Arjun described as precise. “She did diagnose me with mild depression at that point of time, which is very circumstantial,” he said.

Arjun also opened up about coping with depression, stating that self-doubt is common in any profession, but when things don't go as planned, it can turn into prolonged uncertainty. He explained that these doubts can grow louder over time, making it harder to shake off negativity. Reflecting on his childhood, he mentioned how being a ‘fat kid’ left lasting mental scars, affecting his relationship with food and self-care without him even realizing it at the time.

Despite these challenges, Arjun has continued to forge ahead in his career. He was recently seen in Singham Again, the highly anticipated film from Rohit Shetty, alongside an ensemble cast featuring Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff, Kareena Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, and Deepika Padukone. Through his openness about his struggles, Arjun Kapoor has shown that even those in the limelight face difficult battles behind the scenes—and that seeking help is a crucial part of healing.