Watch Six Feet High

The movie Six Feet High, released in 2014, is a heartbreaking and thought-provoking drama about the life of a young man struggling with mental illness in contemporary India. The film explores the depths of despair, hopelessness, and isolation that can come with living with a serious mental health condition in a society that stigmatizes and misunderstands these issues.

The story follows a young man named Santosh, played by Prakash Bare, who is suffering from severe depression and anxiety. Despite his family's efforts to support him, Santosh feels like he is drowning in his own mind, unable to escape the crushing weight of his thoughts and emotions. His condition worsens over time, and he becomes increasingly isolated and disconnected from the world around him.

The film does an excellent job of portraying the inner world of someone struggling with mental health issues, using music, camera work, and sound design to create a sense of the overwhelming and chaotic inner landscape that Santosh inhabits. The audience is drawn into his perspective, feeling the disorienting and claustrophobic effects of his illness right alongside him.

As the story progresses, we see Santosh's family and friends struggle to connect with him, with many of them failing to understand the severity of his condition or the ways in which it is impacting his life. Santosh's father, played by Samvid Anand, is particularly compelling as a character, torn between his love for his son and his frustration with his behavior. The film highlights the ways that families can be both supportive and damaging to someone struggling with mental health issues, often unintentionally exacerbating the problem through ignorance or lack of empathy.

One of the standout features of the film is the emphasis on the systemic issues that contribute to the stigmatization and neglect of mental health in India. The healthcare system is portrayed as woefully inadequate, with long wait times, overworked doctors, and limited resources for those struggling with mental health issues. The cultural attitudes towards mental illness are also explored, with characters expressing shame, fear, and misunderstanding around these issues. Overall, the film offers a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of the challenges facing individuals and families dealing with mental health conditions in India.

Meena Kandasamy offers a standout performance as Santosh's love interest, highlighting the ways in which romantic relationships can both support and complicate mental health struggles. Their relationship offers a glimpse of the hope and connection that can come with overcoming the isolation of mental illness, even as Santosh's condition worsens.

The film ends on a poignant note, with a heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting message about the importance of connection, compassion, and empathy for those struggling with mental health issues. Six Feet High is a powerful and poignant film that offers a unique and deeply affecting portrait of the challenges facing individuals, families, and communities dealing with mental illness in contemporary India.