Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of mental health issues.
Today, October 10, 2024, is World Mental Health Day. This day aims to raise awareness about mental health issues and work towards helping people dealing with them. Bollywood has made various films around the topic of mental health. While some others can have a comforting vibe that might motivate a person when they’re struggling. Check out these movies available on the streaming platform Netflix that could help boost the spirits of your friends facing mental health challenges.
7 movies on Netflix to provide comfort on a bad mental health day:
1. Double XL
- Running Time: 2 hours 5 mins
- IMDb Rating: 4.6/10
- Movie Genre: Comedy/Drama
- Movie Star Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Huma Qureshi, Zaheer Iqbal
- Director: Satramm Ramani
- Writer: Sasha Singh, Mudassar Aziz
- Year of release: 2022
We start this list with the movie Double XL. In the film, two plus-size women, Saira and Rajshri, are body-shamed regularly. When they meet each other in London, they share their problems and decide to pursue their dreams. Body image issues might affect a person’s mental health. Double XL promotes female friendships and body positivity.
2. Dear Zindagi
- Running Time: 2 hours 29 mins
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Movie Genre: Drama
- Movie Star Cast: Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan, Ira Dubey, Rohit Saraf, Kunal Kapoor, Ali Zafar
- Director: Gauri Shinde
- Writer: Gauri Shinde
- Year of release: 2016
Dear Zindagi is one of the highly acclaimed movies on Netflix that discusses mental health issues. The film follows the journey of Alia Bhatt’s Kaira, a young cinematographer who is struggling with her career and relationships. She takes help from Dr Jehangir Khan, a psychologist played by Shah Rukh Khan. It is possible that Kaira and Dr Jug’s conversations might also be helpful to the viewer as well.
3. Tamasha
- Running Time: 2 hours 12 mins
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
- Movie Genre: Drama/Romance
- Movie Star Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone
- Director: Imtiaz Ali
- Writer: Imtiaz Ali
- Year of release: 2015
Tamasha is quite popular on social media and has emerged as a cult-classic film. The movie is about Ranbir Kapoor’s Ved, who suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder. This coming-of-age film on Netflix explores Ved’s journey of self-discovery and his love story with Tara.
4. Barfi
- Running Time: 2 hours 31 mins
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Movie Genre: Romance/Comedy
- Movie Star Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Ileana D’Cruz
- Director: Anurag Basu
- Writer: Anurag Basu, Sanjeev Dutta
- Year of release: 2012
Barfi is one of the most lighthearted and comforting films on Netflix. It is about Ranbir Kapoor’s character Barfi, who is deaf and mute. It showcases his love story with Jhilmil, an autistic woman, as well as Shruti, the new girl in Darjeeling. Barfi received a lot of acclaim for its heartwarming narrative and acting performances.
5. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
- Running Time: 2 hours 33 mins
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
- Movie Genre: Adventure Drama/Romance
- Movie Star Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif, Kalki Koechlin
- Director: Zoya Akhtar
- Writer: Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Farhan Akhtar
- Year of release: 2011
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is a favorite among the youth. It revolves around three friends, who have many unresolved problems between them. When they take a bachelor trip to Spain, it becomes an opportunity for them to face their fears and also discover the joys of life. ZNMD is a very motivating film that teaches you to live in the present.
6. Wake Up Sid
- Running Time: 2 hours 12 mins
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Movie Genre: Romance/Comedy
- Movie Star Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Konkona Sensharma, Anupam Kher, Supriya Pathak
- Director: Ayan Mukerji
- Writer: Ayan Mukerji, Niranjan Iyengar
- Year of release: 2009
Next on our list is Wake Up Sid. It makes for a perfect watch on the days a person is feeling lost and doesn’t know what to do in their life. The movie assures you that you’ll be fine and find your purpose one day. Wake Up Sid showcases how Sid, a lazy student with no goals, learns the value of responsibility from Aisha, the new girl in the city.
7. Lakshya
- Running Time: 3 hours 5 mins
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Movie Genre: War/Drama
- Movie Star Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Amitabh Bachchan
- Director: Farhan Akhtar
- Writer: Javed Akhtar
- Year of release: 2004
Lakshya is another inspiring movie on Netflix, especially for those who are stressed about their career and life. Just know that you are going to make it. In Lakshya, Karan has no aim in his life. He even loses his girlfriend over this. However, when he finally finds his place in the Indian Army, he makes it his mission to defend his country.
Are there any other movies available on Netflix that you would recommend to your friend who is facing mental health challenges? Let us know in the comments below.
Disclaimer: If you need support or know someone who is struggling with mental health, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist, NGO or speak to someone about it. There are several helplines available for the same.
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