Dr. Kunjan Gupta, Consultant Psychiatrist at Regency Hospital Ltd, Kanpur, Explains Stuttering as a Speech Disorder Involving Speech Flow Interruptions
In a recent conversation, Hrithik Roshan opened up about his childhood encounters with bullying, revealing that his own experiences served as inspiration for his portrayal of Rohit Mehra in the movie “Koi…Mil Gaya.”
The 49-year-old actor shared a heartfelt connection with his character, Rohit, explaining that the role deeply resonated with him. He fondly recollected his own past, noting that much like Rohit, he had faced bullying during his early years. “Rohit’s character felt like a mirror to my own life. The memories of being bullied due to my stutter came flooding back. I’d have days when going to school was a struggle and I’d seek solace in my mother’s comforting presence,” Hrithik shared.
Interestingly, Hrithik Roshan revealed that certain scenes from the film were drawn directly from his own life experiences. He pointed out that the scene in which Rohit’s scooty is damaged by Raj and his friends was actually inspired by a real incident from his past. He shared, “The scene where Raj and his friends break Rohit’s scooty was taken from my own life. Back then, my most cherished possession was a BMX cycle. It got broken by older boys, and that left me devastated. The vulnerability needed for Rohit’s character was something I had already experienced through my personal life.”
Dr. Kunjan Gupta, a Consultant Psychiatrist at Regency Hospital Ltd in Kanpur, explained that stuttering is a speech disorder marked by disruptions in the natural flow of speech, including repetitions, elongations, or halts in the production of sounds, syllables, or words.
From a psychological viewpoint, stuttering is commonly believed to emerge from a blend of influences, as outlined by Dr. Gupta. These influences encompass a genetic inclination, developmental disparities in the brain’s speech processing regions, and emotional aspects like anxiety and stress.
She highlighted a notable study documented in the peer-reviewed journal NeuroImage Clinical, where researchers revealed that individuals who stutter might grapple with challenges in coordinating the brain regions accountable for speech production. This miscoordination can disrupt the seamless execution of speech. Additionally, emotional elements like anxiety can compound stuttering, as the apprehension of stuttering itself can trigger a cycle of anticipation and avoidance. This cycle further hampers speech fluency.
Psychological therapeutic methods, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, can offer effective tools for individuals to manage their stuttering. These approaches address both the physical aspects of speech production and the emotional factors contributing to the disorder.
Dr. Gupta stressed the significance of approaching stuttering with empathy and support, as negative reactions or societal pressures can further impact an individual’s speech patterns.
Marked as India’s pioneering science fiction movie, “Koi…Mil Gaya,” featuring the beloved extraterrestrial character Jadoo and propelling Hrithik into the limelight, celebrated its 20th anniversary with a recent re-release by its creators in India.
In “Koi…Mil Gaya,” Hrithik portrayed the role of Rohit Mehra, a character characterized by intellectual disabilities and the emotional maturity of an 11-year-old.
Expressing his sentiments, Hrithik emphasized that the most significant gratification for him as an artist comes from the affection he receives from the audience. He conveyed his feelings of being “overwhelmed” by the love and nostalgia that the film has been evoking.
Additionally, the movie “Koi…Mil Gaya” featured titular roles played by Preity G Zinta and Rekha as well.