Om Books International hosted an intimate and insightful evening in Mumbai for the launch of Ishaa Vinod Chopra's memoir on mental health struggles and creative resilience, featuring an engaging panel discussion. The #Newsdesk Reports…  

Photography: Vinta Nanda

Om Books International celebrated the launch of Ishaa Vinod Chopra’s Finding Order in Disorder: A Bipolar Memoir at Title Waves, Bandra, on August 22. This powerful memoir, authored by the daughter of acclaimed filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, explores her battle with mental health issues and the role of creativity in her healing journey. The event featured an intimate conversation between Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Dr. Rajesh Parikh, and Aastha Kottary, moderated by Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri. Discussions cantered on mental health awareness, the stigma surrounding psychiatric help, and the therapeutic impact of creativity. This moving and insightful event highlighted the importance of empathy, self-belief, and family support in coping with mental health challenges..

The Launch of Ishaa Vinod Chopra’s Bipolar Memoir

The book is a gutsy and brave telling of the author’s experiences in dealing with mental health issues and domestic violence. Ishaa, the daughter of filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra from his marriage to Shabnam Sukhdev, provides a raw and honest account of her struggles, making this memoir a significant contribution to mental health literature.

An Evening of Insight

The intimate gathering at the launch witnessed an engaging conversation between Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Dr. Rajesh Parikh, and Aastha Kottary, focusing on the book, the author’s experiences, and aspects of coping with mental health issues. Dr. Parikh, a world-renowned mental health expert and director of medical research and honorary neuropsychiatrist at the Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, and Aastha Kottary, founder of the award-winning podcast Slow Down with Aastha, joined Vidhu Vinod Chopra in this meaningful discussion.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Emotional Recollections

The evening kicked off with a recorded message from the author, who lives in Canada, where she spoke about what prompted her to write the book and how the act of writing helped her cope with her condition. In the conversation that followed, expertly steered by Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri, editor-in-chief at Om Books International, Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalled how he first realized his daughter was ill and how Dr. Parikh accompanied him to Canada to meet Ishaa. He also emphasized the responsibilities of a family with a member suffering from mental health issues, sharing how he was always present to answer his daughter’s needs.

Dr. Rajesh Parikh on Mental Health Misconceptions

Dr. Parikh dispelled common misconceptions around the many forms of mental illness—differentiating between depression and anxiety at one end of the spectrum and schizophrenia at the other, with a specific focus on what distinguishes bipolar disorder from other mental health issues. His lively presentation included references to the work of Pablo Picasso and Guru Dutt, illustrating the complex links between creativity and bipolar disorder.

Aastha Kottary’s Insightful Reflections

The youngest member on the panel, Aastha Kottary, belying her age, made pertinent points on various aspects related to mental health. Demonstrating what makes Slow Down with Aastha the popular podcast it is turning out to be, Aastha shared the story of a close friend who died by suicide and highlighted how a little more awareness on the part of the family might have saved him. She also touched on the stigma associated with seeking psychiatric help and the confusion that often assails people as to the kind of help they need and where to access it..

Ishaa’s Journey Through Art and Dance

All the participants highlighted the role of creativity in addressing mental health issues, drawing upon Ishaa’s engagement with painting and dance as means to overcome her condition. The book's cover, which emerged from Ishaa's painting, stands as a testament to the therapeutic power of art in her life.

Throughout the conversation, the panellists emphasized how creative outlets like painting and dance have been crucial in Ishaa’s journey towards healing. They discussed how such forms of expression can serve as powerful tools for individuals coping with mental health challenges, providing them with a sense of order amid the disorder in their lives.

Concluding Thoughts

The evening came to a close with the panellists sharing how they sought to find order in the disorder of their own lives. Vidhu Vinod Chopra reflected on his creative process, reciting an inspirational poem from his forthcoming film. Dr. Parikh brought the house down with his exhortation to "embrace the disorder, the chaos," encouraging everyone to find strength in their struggles..