Sacred Games actor Kubbra Sait opens up about dealing with trolls, her brother’s depression, and more

Kubbra Sait has left an indelible mark on our minds ever since she appeared in the Netflix original series Sacred Games in 2018. Her character Kukoo was powerful, bold, and made us fall in love with her. And it didn’t stop there—because with every outing on the big screen or telly, she has made us believe that she can take on any character and ace it!

The candidness she displays on screen is visible even on her social media feed. Whether it’s about sharing her fitness routine to giving her audiences a sneak peek into some special moments with her family, Kubbra never shies away from showing who she really is.

Some call her bold, others brash—but that hasn’t stopped her from voicing her views on social media, and we’re so proud of her!

In an exclusive conversation with HealthShots, Kubbra tells us all about her relationship with social media, her brother’s journey with depression, and what she does to keep her mental health in check amidst all the hate and negativity.

On her evolving equation with social media
“There was a time before these crazy times we live in when I would say social media doesn’t really get to me; that I go out there and speak my mind. It’s not that I don’t do that anymore. I still do that, and I enjoy the process of being answerable for my actions if at all I am under the radar of what people think. I know I come from a good place and don’t mean any harm,” shares Kubbra.

She feels it is important to self-regulate and self-censor your posts, before putting anything out on social media. Kubbra does it herself and feels this is not because she’s a celebrity, but it is something everyone else must practice too!

“We should always be careful because using social media today has become an extended part of who you are, and what you think. Taking this medium lightly is not a fun thing, so be careful when you do things,” she advises.

Unfortunately, social media has given rise to a culture where everything is viewed through a microscopic lens. Kubbra believes it is both ‘interesting and upsetting’ at the same time.

“It’s also fulfilling in ways because back in the day, it was probably the best thing that ever happened to us. Until, we learnt how to ruin it for ourselves, and people around us,” she says.

On trolls and online bullying
Kubbra feels that the comments section on social media platforms have become the gateway for many nameless and faceless people to throw muck at you. For her, no debate is significant if it involves being a keyboard warrior, and spitting venom on people.

“You don’t know who these people are, you don’t know who I am or anything about my journey. I feel these people who spew venom are no less than bullies. At least when I was bullied in school, I had a face to those people. I could turn around and ask them to stop or make my peace with it,” she says, adding:

For the longest time, Kubbra has laughed off these troll attacks or responded to them in jest. But when they get excessively vile and abusive, blocking is the best way to deal with them for her.

On the link between social media and mental health
Recently, Kubbra posted a simple question on Twitter about a certain Bollywood actress getting Y-plus security, asking if it was the taxpayer’s dime that was paying for it. In no time, an army of trolls pounced on her, and indulged in name-calling and harsh abuse. And this chain reaction of events didn’t just impact her—but also her family!

Also read: Four More Shots Please actor Kirti Kulhari talks about social media, trolls, and the pandemic

“My mother and brother are on social media, and people come up to them and abuse me. I don’t think my family should suffer because of what I say or do. People really need to act civil and be respectful, and most importantly be kind,” says Kubbra.

“It is important to listen to others”, says Kubbra
Her brother, Danish Sait, who’s a popular stand-up comedian, actor and writer, has opened up about his struggles with depression in the past.

“It’s so important to be kind to each other, especially when you are dealing with a concern like this from afar. At one point, I kept asking my brother why he didn’t tell us that he was going through this ordeal. But now I realise it’s not easy when you are suffering from a mental health disease to pick yourself up and call someone up to say they are suffering. I don’t think humans are wired like that, we don’t turn around and say how bad we feel so easily,” says Kubbra.

Kubbra also says it is important to sometimes just listen to your close friends and family, instead of offering advice. It is important to just be there for each other during this time!

“We, as a society, need to reach out to people on an everyday basis. Ask somebody how they are feeling and shut up, and let them say how they feel. Today, everything is fast, ready to eat, ready to meet, and so instant. We need to be sensitive enough to ask people if they are fine, and allow them to express,” she says.

On keeping her mental health in check
“I do things that make me happy. I cook, I am currently travelling for work, and you know I just went to the supermarket and bought some chicken and veggies, and cooked myself a meal. It’s so fulfilling, I’d say. I also love going for walks, and not thinking about anything. It’s best to leave your phone behind. During the pandemic, I have also started reading a lot about successful people, watching documentaries, and engaging in things that keep my mental function awake,” advises Kubbra, adding that she keeps away from news or any other content that impacts her negatively.

She also practices meditation, since it allows her time with herself, and helps to deal with anything in her life, be it on social media, or otherwise!

A word of advice
“In these times, when there is so much hate and animosity, we need to be good to each other. I would say even the worst day has 24 hours, don’t let it affect you to the extent it does. Try to weed off as much news as you can, since it’s mostly opinion. Take a step back digitally, and take a break from social media sometimes,” says Kubbra.

She recalls another piece of advice that someone had once given her. “If you have the urge to put out something on social media, put it in your drafts the night before and sleep over it. If you wake up the next morning and still feel it’s relevant, then put it out. Don’t feel terrible about what you put because it is up for scrutiny and subject to abuse by people who don’t know you, because they actually don’t know you.”

And while she meditates and takes time off to relax, Kubbra feels it is equally important to connect with friends and family.

“You should be able to count your friends on your fingers, rest of the people are only acquaintances. Once you recognise that, you will realise how little the words of people matter then,” says Kubbra Sait, while signing off.