28012026-LSTC-01.qxd 1/28/2026 12:37 AM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE THE HOST Harvard calling Life Academy Awardwinning filmmaker Graham King, announced during Munich Film Week that Berlin has been chosen to host the international premiere of his film, Michael, on April 10, followed by a fan celebration. Global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas is set to address the 23rd edition of the India Conference at Harvard University, scheduled to take place on February 14 and 15 in the USA. CHANDIGARH | WEDNESDAY | 28 JANUARY 2026 Logging out of social media is the new power move Mona N OT so long ago, a celebrity without an Instagram account was unthinkable. Red carpets were followed by posts, film announcements by curated captions and personal milestones by carefully staged shoots. Social media wasn’t optional — it was part of the job description. And to an extent, still is. But lately, a different trend is taking over pop culture: celebrities are quietly, and sometimes dramatically, logging out. From Bollywood singers to Hollywood A-listers, stars are stepping back from social media, not to create mystery, but to protect themselves. At the start of 2026, singer Neha Kakkar shocked fans by announcing a complete break from social media. She asked paps for privacy — a rare move in an industry that thrives on constant visibility. The reason — the weight of expectations, opinions and emotional labour had become too heavy to carry online. Her decision struck a chord because it wasn’t isolated. In November 2025, Ronit Roy revealed that he was undertaking a ‘complete digital detox’, stepping away from online platforms to prioritise his mental and spiritual well-being and to cultivate healthier daily habits. In September 2025 Anushka Shetty, one of South India’s most popular actresses, announced a temporary break from social media, sharing that she wanted to ‘disconnect from scrolling, reconnect with the real world, and return refreshed with new stories for her fans’. In august 2025 Hrithik Roshan took the social media pause to experience life without constant online engagement. He described the break as a meaningful shift — letting him appreciate stillness and boredom and understand how valuable presence and free time really are. It’s all part of a growing pattern. Actors Kajol, Aamir Khan, Karan Johar, Sonakshi Sinha Fatima Sana Shaikh and Saqib Saleem have also stepped away or significantly reduced their online presence. In an era where every comment section doubles as a public courtroom, choosing mental well-being over virtual applause has become a radical act. Stars, in particular, occupy a uniquely hostile digital space. Fandom can turn into aggression overnight, opinions become verdicts, and silence is often misread as arrogance or guilt. Across industries, generations, and continents, the reasons to shun social media are strikingly similar. For many celebrities, prioritising mental health has become essential, as endless criticism, hate and constant comparison can wear down even the most confident personalities. Social media’s culture of outrage fuels toxicity and trolling, turning public figures into easy targets — especially during personal or professional low points. What we’re witnessing isn’t celebrities ‘disappearing’. It’s celebrities reclaiming control. In a culture that confuses access with entitlement, logging out is no longer a retreat — it’s a statement. Silence, it turns out, might be the most powerful post of all. The digital disappearing act Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has taken a moment to formally apologise for his behaviour in recent years. Going an unconventional way, West placed a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal and addressed his controversies. He also revealed being diagnosed with a brain injury, adding that it contributed to his mental health. SELENA GOMEZ & AAMIR KHAN RONIT ROY ZAYN MALIK, MEGAN FOX & KARAN JOHAR Perhaps no recent example captures the emotional complexity of social media better than Babil Khan. Unlike stars who maintain a polished digital persona, Babil has often been openly vulnerable online — sharing thoughts, emotions and moments of grief. But that honesty has frequently been met with trolling, misinterpretation and harsh judgment. Each time, he has had to step back, reminding audiences that authenticity on social media often comes at a personal cost. Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s tableau at the Republic Day parade titled Bharat Gatha: Shruti, Kriti, Drishti, showcased India’s rich storytelling legacy. The ministry collaborated with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the tableau. The vocal element of the song Bharat Katha heard during the segment was provided by the renowned singer Shreya Ghoshal. YE APOLOGISES FOR HIS BEHAVIOUR away, citing emotional strain. Megan Fox, Chrissy Teigen, Alec Baldwin, and Lana Del Rey have all spoken openly about retreating from social platforms to protect their mental health. BABIL KHAN & THE COST OF BEING ‘TOO REAL’ BHANSALI & BHARAT GATHA KAJOL, NEHA KAKKAR & SONAKSHI SINHA THEY SAW IT COMING Hollywood celebrities sounded the alarm years earlier. Marvel star Elizabeth Olsen, who quit social media in 2020, described it as emotionally draining and deeply inauthentic. She spoke about the pressure to perform a ‘version’ of herself online — not a real person, but a brand. Zayn Malik has repeatedly stepped CHAT UP EXPERT SPEAK When celebrities step away from social media, it’s easy to assume it’s just about trolling or bad press. But psychologically, something deeper is at play — overstimulation and dopamine fatigue. Social media continuously feeds the brain with rewards — likes, views, compliments, validation. Over time, due to this constant stimulation, pleasure loses its sheen. Stepping away from social media often acts like a dopamine detox. There are few practical psychological strategies that help anyone — celebrity or not — regain control. ■ The first step is awareness. Accepting the magnitude of usage is uncomfortable but necessary. ■ Second is reflection. What has been missed? Sleep, health, relationships, focus? ■ Third is planning boundaries. Free time should shift back to people, movement and rest — not endless content consumption. SIMPLE PSYCHOLOGICAL TOOLS HELP ■ Turn off non-essential notifications. ■ Clean your phone — delete unnecessary apps. ■ Use social media timers. ■ Switch to grey mode — reducing colour lowers stimulation & interest. Withdrawal symptoms are real. For the first one to two weeks, people may experience irritability, anger, restlessness and frustration. During urges, short grounding strategies help — read, wash your face, breathe deeply or go for a brief walk. — Dr Sachin Kaushik, Mind Peace Hospital, Panchkula c m y b An evening with Rahman B-town stars attend Gandhi Talks live musical performance by AR Rahman Many Bollywood stars attended the live musical performance of AR Rahman based on the upcoming silent film Gandhi Talks at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Vijay Sethupathi, who plays the lead role in the film, looked stylish at the event, donning a brown jacket and shirt over blue denim jeans. As always, AR Rahman looked classy at the event in a velvet blazer. Rising young star Abhay Verma also attended the event and posed for the cameras. Several other stars who attended the event include Ankita Lokhande, Vicky Jain and others. Silent film Gandhi Talks is directed by Kishore Belekar. Speaking about the vision behind the film, director Belekar shared, “Gandhi Talks is a film about trusting silence. As Indian cinema marks over a century of storytelling, we wanted to return to the medium’s most elemental form, pure performance and emotion. “The actors embraced that vulnerability completely, and AR Rahman’s score became the film’s voice. With Zee Stu- dios’, Meera Chopra’s support, we were able to make a bold, honest piece of cinema,” he added. Along with Vijay Sethupathi, Arvind Swamy and Aditi Rao Hydari, the film also stars Siddharth Jadhav in a crucial role. The music of the film has been composed by Rahman. The film will release in theatres on January 30. — ANI