It’s no secret that India is in the midst of a mental health crisis. Newspapers everywhere have expressed concern over the obscenely high numbers of farmers who have taken their own lives over the past decades, our student suicide rates have skyrocketed, rising by 4% with every passing year, and it’s estimated that almost 15% of the Indian population is suffering from some form of mental illness. 

These tragic statistics aren’t the result of a spontaneous change in recent years. Rather, they’re the product of deep-rooted systemic and cultural issues; how many of us can comfortably tell our families we need help? How many have access to the mental and material support we need to address our worsening mental health? For many of us, mental health struggles are brushed off and perceived as personal shortcomings rather than legitimate health concerns. 

The road to our recovery will be long and require a multi-faceted dismantling of the structures putting immense pressure on our population. And yet, the beginning of this journey is simple. As with any other problem, whether it be an untied shoelace or a national health emergency, the first step is to recognise there’s a problem at all.

Written and directed by Aditya Kripalani, ‘Not Today’ is a homegrown film that delves into the complicated, immensely painful reality of dealing with mental illness. It follows Aliah, a young woman in Mumbai working her first day as a suicide prevention counsellor, and Ashwin, a desperate caller on the brink of ending his own life. The movie takes us through their long conversation, divulging their deepest secrets and traumas to one another in a beautiful moment of connection amid tragedy.

Honest conversation lies at the core of ‘Not Today’, showing us the critical importance of discussions around mental health, particularly in a society where any display of struggle is deemed a sign of weakness. The majority of the film’s happenings occur through sheer dialogue. This sustained moment of vulnerability shared by our two central characters is an emotional reckoning and a crucial reminder that we shouldn’t have to be pushed to our limits to seek help or even just talk out our feelings. 

Obviously, a single movie isn’t going to fix India’s deep-rooted issues with mental illness, but awareness is the first step towards our brighter, healthier future. There’s nothing wrong with honesty; rather than shunning ourselves or our peers for suffering, we must embrace one another, hardships and all. 

You can watch ‘Not Today’ here. 

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