Mumbai: Actor Pankaj Tripathi, who has presented the newly released YouTube web series Perfect Family, says his personal journey from a small village upbringing to becoming a sensitive voice on mental health has shaped the way he sees the world today.

The show, which premiered on 27 November, dives into topics such as therapy, emotional well-being, hypersensitivity, and human behaviour, making it one of the rare mainstream attempts to normalise mental health conversations in India.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Tripathi confessed that there was a time when he would completely dismiss therapy and emotional struggles, believing they were “luxury problems.”

Recalling his early years, Tripathi said he grew up in an environment where sensitivity was mocked and emotional struggles were brushed aside.

“I grew up in the village. Half my life has been spent there. The environment, way of thinking, and upbringing create a distinct kind of person. When I came to Delhi and Mumbai, I was the same. If someone talked about this, I would dismiss it as ‘faltu ki baat’ (rubbish things). I would tell people, ‘Do thappad lagega, theek ho jaoge.’ (Two slaps and you will be completely fine)...I assumed that only those who have it all have mental illnesses.”

But, he added, his experiences in Delhi and Mumbai changed his perspective. “This can happen to the rich and the poor, the successful and the failures.”

Tripathi also opened up about a moment of self-realisation that transformed his thinking.

“When I first came to Delhi, I must have seen a female batchmate smoking and made an impression of her in my mind. But then I realised, if I watch a man smoke a cigarette, I don’t form that same image about his character. So, I was doing something wrong.”

He says that exposure, learning, and interacting with different kinds of people helped him unlearn biases and evolve into a more empathetic person.

On the work front, Pankaj Tripathi has stepped into the producer’s chair for the newly released web series Perfect Family. Presented by Tripathi, the show features Gulshan Devaiah, Neha Dhupia, Girija Oak, Manoj Pahwa, and Seema Pahwa, and unfolds as a heartwarming narrative on therapy, family dynamics, and emotional healing.

All eight episodes are now streaming free on YouTube, and early reactions suggest the show is resonating with audiences seeking relatable mental health narratives.