Actress Amala Paul took a significant break from acting in 2019, despite being at the peak of her career, due to a combination of personal and professional challenges.
Reasons for Her Hiatus
- Burnout and Exhaustion: After starting her career at 17 and working continuously for 13 years, Amala felt “tired, exhausted, burned out,” leading her to decline major film offers to prioritize her well-being
- Personal Loss and Pandemic Impact: The loss of her father and the subsequent pandemic provided her with time to reflect on her life and emotions, prompting a need for healing and self-discovery
- Mental Health Struggles: Portraying intense roles, such as a character with schizophrenia, took a toll on her mental health, leading to symptoms of borderline personality disorder and necessitating a break for recovery
- Desire for Authenticity: Amala realized she was using her work to escape reality and sought to reconnect with herself, stating, “I felt like I wasn’t living in the present and I kept escaping something”
Return to the Screen
After her hiatus, Amala Paul returned to acting in 2021 with projects like the Tamil anthology “Kutty Story” and the Telugu film “Pitta Kathalu.” She also ventured into OTT platforms with series such as “Kudi Yedamaithe” and “Ranjish Hi Sahi,” and starred in the Tamil thriller “Cadaver”
Her journey underscores the importance of mental health and self-care, even amidst a successful career.