Renowned actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who recently starred in Sudhir Mishra’s Afwaah, is preparing for his upcoming release titled Jogira Sa Ra Ra, alongside Neha Sharma.

During the film’s promotional activities, Siddiqui candidly discussed his views on depression, shedding light on the differing perspectives between urban and rural areas. In an interview with Mashable India, the actor revealed that his father would have slapped him if he had ever mentioned being depressed.

Hailing from a rural background, Siddiqui explained: “I come from a place where, if I would tell my father that I am feeling depressed, he would give me one tight slap. Depression wasn’t there, no one gets depression in villages, and everyone is happy there.”

However, after moving to the city, he became aware of terms like anxiety and depression. The actor, who was born in Budhana, a small town in Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh, said depression is more of a “city thing”.

According to Nawazuddin Siddiqui, the experience of depression is perceived differently in urban areas, where people tend to “glorify” even the smallest of emotions. Nawazuddin expressed his opinion, stating: “This is an urban concept, people in cities glorify their emotions.”

The actor’s remarks shed light on the contrasting realities faced by individuals residing in urban and rural communities. While urban areas often offer a more accessible understanding and recognition of mental health issues, Siddiqui believes that villages maintain a culture where happiness prevails and concepts like depression are not prevalent.

According to Nawazuddin Siddiqui, underprivileged people make the most of their lives and circumstances, unlike those with money, who usually contract such “diseases”. He added: “If you ask a labourer or someone who is sleeping on the footpath, then what is depression?

“When it rains, they dance even then, they don’t know what depression is.” It is pertinent, nonetheless, to remember that depression is a common mental health disorder globally.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression worldwide. It can significantly impact a person’s daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.

On the film front, Nawazuddin Siddiqui is currently awaiting the release of his romantic-comedy Jogira Sara Ra Ra, co-starring Neha Sharma. The film is gearing to release on May 26, 2023.

This will be his second theatrical release in the month, after Sudhir Mishra’s socio-political drama Afwaah.