How Bollywood and Hollywood stars help shape the perception of a disorder. Six leading men, who made it happen
How Bollywood and Hollywood stars help shape the perception of a disorder. Six leading men, who made it happen
Hrithik Roshan in Guzaarish
What's the movie about?
Hrithik Roshan plays Ethan Mascarenhas, a magician, who is betrayed by his best friend while performing a dangerous magic trick. As a result of the accident, he becomes a paraplegic and is confined to a wheelchair. He becomes the host of a radio show through which he spreads a lot of joy and laughter. 
Still, after living for a over a decade as a paraplegic, Ethan decides to opt for euthanasia or mercy killing. There are appeals submitted in court regarding a mercy killing petition that Ethan wants, which leads to the interrogation of Ethan's mother and their close friends. The movie then shows how there this triggers detailed discussions on television and spills over onto the public forum.u00a0 Aishwarya Rai plays the role of the loyal nurse, Sofia D' Souza. Over time, they fall in love.
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What does the leading actor play? A quadriplegic
What does that mean?
Quadriplegia, also known as Tetraplegia is paralysis, resulting in the partial or total loss of use of one's limbs and torso. It can be caused by illness or injury. The loss of function in the limbs and torso can translate into the loss of bodily functions, including bladder control, sexual function and digestion.
Can anything be done?
Delayed diagnosis can have grave repercussions on the patient. Quadriplegics with severe damage to the cervical spine, termed high-level quadriplegics, typically need constant care to see to their daily needs. Low-level quadriplegics are capable of independent living.
Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets
What's the movie about?
The 1997 American rom-com drama say Jack Nicholson play the character of an obsessive-compulsive author with next to little sympathy for anyone's needs apart from his own.
What does the leading actor play?
Someone with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
What does that mean?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is an anxiety disorder. It is mainly characterised by obsessive negative thinking, producing fear, uneasiness, worry and repetitive behaviours, including obsessive handwashing, aversion to odd numbers, and the constant unlocking of doors.
Can anything be done?
People with OCD may appear as odd or plain paranoid. Sufferers are likely to be aware that their behaviour alienates them from others, and recognise their thoughts and actions as irrational, but still find it difficult to overcome their compulsive behaviour. Paradoxically, they have a deep need to be accepted and understood.
Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump
What's the movie about?
The 1994 American comedy-drama is based on a novel by the same name by Winston Groom. Tom Hanks plays Forrest Gump, a 'simple' boy with an extraordinary talent for sports. The story is about his life and chronicles his personal highs and lows, including his meeting with the American president at the time. It also shows how Forrest discovers that he has an exceptional ability to play ping pong and that's how he gains celebrity status.
What does the leading actor play?
a developmentally challenged person.
What does that mean?
Forrest has an IQ that is below average. His school principal determines his IQ is 75. The average IQ is 100 or a little over (though for online IQ tests it is considered to be around 140).
Can anything be done?
There is not much can be done in the case of someone born with a below-average IQ. Though, as in the case of anyone else, acceptance and love go a long way.
Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man
What's the movie about?
The 1998 comedy drama directed by Barry Levinson is the story of the self-absorbed Charlie Babbit, who discovers that his father has left him out of his will and instead bequeathed all his money to his other son, Raymond, who has autism.
What does the leading actor play?
Someone with autism, a neural development
disorder
What does that mean?
Autism is characterised by an inability to communicate socially, and is often accompanied by restricted and repetitive behavior. Signs of autism are typically seen before a child turns three. Autism affects a person's ability to process information, but exactly how this happens is not yet well known. In the film, although Raymond has autism, he has an ability to recall information.
Can anything be done?
Research indicates that about a third to a half of individuals with autism do not develop enough natural speech to meet everyday needs.
Shah Rukh Khan in My Name Is Khan
What's the movie about?
Shah Rukh Khan plays Rizwan Khan, a middle-class boy, who grows up in the suburb of Borivali. Rizwan displays a special ability to repair mechanical things, but his mother realises that her son is 'different' from other children, and has him specially tutored. His brother grows jealous of the preferential treatment meted out to Rizwan, who eventually leaves to make a life for himself in the US.
What does the leading actor play?
Someone with asperger's syndrome
What does that mean?
Asperger or Asperger's syndrome is an autistic disorder that is characterised by difficulties in social interactions. A limited ability to show empathy, physical clumsiness and a lack of non-verbal communication skills are among the typical characteristics of this syndrome.
Can anything be done?
There is not much that can be done, as research suggests a genetic link to Asperger's syndrome. Though, no specific genes have yet been identified.
Darsheel Safary in Taare Zameen Par
What's the movie about?
Written by Amole Gupte, Aamir Khan's directorial debut is the story of eight-year-old Ishaan played by Darsheel Safary. Ishaan dislikes school and dreads the thought of attending classes every morning. His art teacher, played by Aamir Khan, suspects that he is dyslexic, and helps him overcome his disability.
What does the leading actor play?
Someone with dyslexia
What does that mean?
Dyslexia is an umbrella term for a learning disability that impairs an individual's ability to read. Dyslexia reportedly affects anywhere between 5 to 10 per cent of any given population. There are three subtypes of dyslexia: auditory, visual and attentional. Dyslexia and IQ are not interrelated.
Can anything be done?
Children with dyslexia need to understand the learning disability, and be taught that it is not their fault that they have dyslexia. There are special teaching aids as well as schools to help children and parent cope with it.
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