Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia recently found himself at the center of controversy over his comments on Samay Raina's India's Got Latent show. Amid this, a two-year-old video of actor Priyanka Chopra schooling Allahbadia for asking her whether being famous equals to her not attending family functions anymore has been doing the rounds on social media. In the old video, Allahbadia asks, "Do you still go to family functions after the level of fame you have achieved?" Chopra responds, "So, you are saying I am not going to dance at the baarat of my brother's wedding? Of course! My cousins, my brothers. Family is most important to me." Explaining the difference between fame and family, the Quantico actor added: "My fame is a by-product of my job. It does not define me. My fame is not my job. It's very clear to me. I'm not famous for a living. I work for a living. And fame comes with it. So, it's not something I can control. That's something that's thrust upon me." Recently, Chopra was seen dancing to her songs with her husband, Nick Jonas, at the baarat and pre-wedding functions of her brother Siddharth, who tied the knot with actor Neelam Upadhyaya. Taking a cue from this exchange, let's understand the difference from a psychological perspective. Dr Chandni Tugnait, MD (A.M) psychotherapist, founder and director, Gateway of Healing, mentioned that our minds naturally seek meaningful connections, and family bonds form the foundation of our emotional health. "Fame brings a flood of new relationships - fans, media, industry contacts - but these connections often stay surface-level. The most successful public figures handle this by drawing a clear line between their celebrity and personal life," said Dr Tugnait. Spending regular time with family helps famous individuals stay grounded in reality. "Simple things like family dinners, celebrating traditions, or being there for important moments remind them of who they are, beyond their public image. Family members, especially those who knew them before fame, don't hesitate to be honest and real - something that becomes rare once someone steps into the spotlight," said Dr Tugnait. The key lies not in perfectly equal time distribution but in quality of presence and authentic engagement when with family, making those moments count rather than simply checking boxes on a schedule, stressed Dr Tugnait. The importance of this balance becomes apparent when looking at long-term mental health. "Celebrities who keep strong family connections usually handle public criticism better, face fewer struggles with addiction, and maintain better emotional stability. Family provides a safe space where they can be vulnerable, process their experiences, and receive support without judgment - something that's hard to find," expressed Dr Tugnait. View this post on Instagram A post shared by HIGH ON PERSONA MAGAZINE (@highonpersonamagazine) Here's a guide *Establishing non-negotiable family time. *Creating clear boundaries around public appearances. *Maintaining regular communication with family members. *Additionally, involving the family in decision-making processes about career moves helps integrate both worlds while ensuring neither sphere becomes overwhelmingly dominant.
