Actor Anupama Parameswaran has opened up about a difficult period in her personal life, describing the emotional toll of what she identifies as narcissistic abuse and how the experience affected her work, confidence and sense of self. In an interview with hunterfly, the actor spoke about seeking therapy, learning to process unresolved experiences and what she calls her “Anupama 2.0” phase.
The actor revealed that the experience left her struggling to recognise herself and even brought her close to giving up acting. She also explained that finding a therapist she connected with took multiple attempts.
‘Living Life Was Exhausting’: Anupama on Her Emotional Struggles
Recalling how she felt during that period, Anupama described a disconnect between her appearance and her internal state.
“You look into the mirror, and you don’t see yourself. You see beyond yourself,” she said, explaining how even familiar daily activities, such as doing her makeup, could feel disconnected from who she was.
She described her days as a process of getting through one challenge at a time rather than genuinely enjoying life.
“Every day is survival mode. There’s no living your life. It’s just constantly surviving the day,” she said.
Summing up the experience, the actor added, “Living life was exhausting.”
How the Experience Affected Her Acting Career
Anupama said the emotional strain affected her performances in films she worked on during that period. She singled out her upcoming Telugu family entertainer Crazy Kalyanam as one project she would approach differently if given another opportunity.
“If I had to redo Crazy Kalyanam again, or any film I’ve shot during that period, I would have done at least 50 per cent better job than what I did,” she said.
Despite the difficulties, the actor did not completely step away from her profession. She acknowledged that she came close to doing so but gave herself credit for continuing to turn up for work.
“I was on the verge of doing that. I didn’t do that. So I would like to give myself that credit. Sometimes showing up is all that matters,” she said.
Anupama added that she did not want to blame herself for struggling professionally while dealing with a difficult personal situation.
Why Anupama Parameswaran Spoke About Her Experience Publicly
The actor also reflected on the public attention surrounding her personal life. Rather than viewing the scrutiny solely as an intrusion, she said the discussion had helped introduce more people to the concept of narcissistic abuse.
Anupama explained that she had not been familiar with the term before her own experience. Since speaking publicly, she has encountered people who have approached her to share their experiences.
She recalled meeting women who hugged her and became emotional while discussing what they were going through. She said these interactions made her feel empathy for those facing similar difficulties.
The actor also said men had approached her to discuss experiences involving themselves, family members or people they knew.
Although these conversations have been emotionally difficult, she believes raising awareness has given her experience a wider significance.
Anupama on Trying Therapy Three Times
Anupama said her first attempt at therapy did not help her in the way she had hoped. She considered whether the therapist was the right fit or whether she was ready for the process at that point.
Her second attempt, which involved couples therapy, was also not a positive experience.
She eventually began working with another therapist around two months before the interview. This time, she said, the experience was different, although the sessions could be emotionally demanding.
According to Anupama, her therapist cautioned her that therapy would require effort and would not necessarily be comfortable.
The actor said she often entered sessions feeling fine but ended up crying as she explored her emotions and past experiences. She also reflected on how therapy could involve looking beyond a recent difficult experience to examine earlier events and patterns.
Anupama’s account highlights her personal experience rather than a universal path to recovery. The process of finding appropriate support and working through difficult emotions can differ from person to person.
‘I Wanted to Get Me Back’: Anupama’s Anupama 2.0 Phase
For Anupama, the goal of therapy was not to become a completely different person but to reconnect with the person she felt she had lost along the way.
“It’s not about reinventing yourself. It’s about reconnecting to the person you lost in the process. I wanted to get me back,” she said.
She described feeling more relaxed and seeing the world differently as she continued working on herself. Calling this phase “Anupama 2.0”, the actor presented it as a process of personal growth and rediscovery.
Anupama Parameswaran’s Upcoming Films and Hindi Debut
Professionally, Anupama said she has 10 films across Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam cinema at various stages of production. According to the interview, the projects include three Telugu films, three Tamil films and four Malayalam films.
She explained that her approach to choosing scripts centres on whether she connects with a story and feels it offers an opportunity to grow as an actor.
Anupama also confirmed that she has signed a Hindi film, describing it as a “cute rom-com story”. She did not reveal further details about the project.
As she continues to balance her professional commitments with personal growth, the actor’s interview offers an honest account of the difficulties she faced and her efforts to reconnect with herself.
