Perfect Family Director Took Therapy Before Show, Says 'Still Taboo Subject In India'| EXCLUSIVE

Even as we near 2026, mental health remains a taboo topic in India. But with shows like Perfect Family, bankrolled by Pankaj Tripathi, makers are trying to address hidden trauma and mental health struggles.

Director Sachin Pathak exclusively spoke to Zoom about taking therapy before filming the series to help himself, both personally and creatively. Reacting to the overwhelmingly positive response to the show, he shared that their true intention was to normalise conversations around the issue."It’s truly overwhelming to see people talking about the show. As a team, we are extremely happy with the response we’ve received. What feels most rewarding is that people are discussing therapy without finding it preachy, which was always our intention. It definitely feels good to be appreciated for the work. Beyond numbers and reviews, the emotional connection audiences are forming with the characters means a lot to us. It reassures us that honest storytelling still resonates deeply," Pathak told Zoom. He added, "Yes, of course—therapy is still a taboo. I personally took therapy before the show, and it helped me immensely, both on a personal level and creatively. Our main aim was to make therapy feel inviting and approachable rather than intimidating.We were very careful that it never felt like a lecture. It’s portrayed as a conversation, where the journey matters more than the destination."Asked about his biggest challenge in navigating family dynamics with sensitivity and humour, he said, "My biggest challenge was finding the right balance between the family’s complications and the therapy sessions. It isn’t easy for certain characters to surrender in a therapy room, especially since many are in denial initially. Showing how they slowly begin to open up in front of Megha was the real challenge. We wanted these moments to feel organic rather than forced. Maintaining emotional authenticity while keeping the tone accessible required constant fine-tuning."The director also expressed gratitude towards his team, who supported him throughout the process. He said actors Gulshan Devaiah, Neha Dhupia, Manoj Pahwa, Seema Pahwa, and Girija Oak were deeply involved in their characters, making it a fulfilling journey.Up next, Pathak is working on a film script. He is set to return to the crime genre next year, but details about his upcoming project are currently under wraps.