Arya Babbar, son of veteran actor Raj Babbar and Nadira Babbar, has opened up about one of the darkest chapters of his life, revealing that he once contemplated suicide and that his standup comedy act is rooted in his struggle with depression and family dysfunction.The actor-comedian recently shared a clip from his standup set on social media. While the video drew attention for a joke involving his estranged half-brother Prateik Smita Patil, Arya says the larger narrative of the show is about survival, mental health and finding hope.
‘I contemplated attempting suicide and I survived it’
Speaking about the premise of his act, Arya revealed that it stems from a deeply personal experience.“It is about a night where I contemplated attempting suicide and I survived it. The idea of doing this is ki aaj koi meri tarah aisi bewakoofi karne ki soch raha ho to use main bacha sakun,” he told Hindustan Times.According to Arya, the performance explores his depression, family relationships and the dysfunctionalities within his personal life. He hopes that by speaking openly about his struggles, he can help someone who may be facing a similar emotional crisis.
A standup act born out of pain
Arya’s standup journey began in 2024, and he says comedy has become a medium through which he can discuss difficult subjects that are often hard to address in conventional conversations.The actor believes sharing his story publicly may encourage others to seek help rather than make irreversible decisions during moments of despair.
‘Affairs happen, breakups happen and it’s okay’
Reflecting on the public scrutiny surrounding his family, Arya acknowledged that the Babbars have long remained a subject of public discussion.“There are other actors too whose parents were actors and their affairs also came out. But unka topic of discussion nahin chal raha, bas hamara kyun chal raha hai pata nahi. But it’s life and there’s no point hiding it. Affairs happen, breakups happen and it’s okay. It’s not the end of life, and not ‘the’ life. I see the positives that I got a younger brother out of it,” he said.Despite the complexities of his family dynamics, Arya says he chooses to focus on gratitude and the lessons he has learned through adversity.Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, seek immediate help from a mental health professional or a suicide prevention helpline.