Karan Johar, Neha Kakkar and more celebrities take a break from social media

In recent months, a clear pattern has surfaced among Indian celebrities and public personalities: consciously stepping away from social media to focus on mental health, personal well-being, and relief from the relentless pressure of online visibility, trolling, and constant accessibility. These pauses mirror wider anxieties around burnout caused by endless scrolling, public judgment, and the expectation to maintain a nonstop digital presence.

Filmmaker-producer Karan Johar became part of this trend by declaring a week-long digital detox through Instagram Stories. He wrote: "Digital Detox for a week! No doom scrolling! No DMs! No posts! May the universe give me strength to stay away!!!!" His decision came amid recent conversations about online backlash in Bollywood, including criticism surrounding his production Homebound missing an Oscars nomination.

Singer Neha Kakkar, earlier in January 2026, posted a cryptic Instagram Story revealing she was stepping away from "responsibilities, relationships, work and everything I can think of right now." She also expressed uncertainty about returning ("Not sure if I'll be back or not") and requested that fans and paparazzi respect her privacy. Her break followed criticism over her recent track Candy Shop.

Zakir Khan, the stand-up comic, recently announced plans for an extended hiatus from live performances and professional commitments to concentrate on his health, potentially spanning 3–5 years after wrapping up his current tour on June 20, 2026. Although his pause extends beyond social media, it connects to broader industry conversations about burnout, including the toll of continuous content creation and the need to prioritise well-being.

Jamie Lever, the comedian and impressionist, stepped back briefly in late December 2025 after facing backlash over a mimicry video of Bigg Boss 19 contestant Tanya Mittal. She shared that the episode made her feel as though she had "lost a small part of myself," and that she needed time to rest and recover.

Ronit Roy announced a temporary social media hiatus in November 2025 to focus on personal development, healthier routines, and mental and spiritual wellness. He assured followers the break was not permanent, asking them not to forget him while he worked on self-improvement, and has since reduced his online activity.

These announcements have struck a chord with audiences, drawing supportive responses across platforms that highlight the need for boundaries in a hyper-connected era.Many users also opened up about their own experiences with digital exhaustion, turning these celebrity breaks into wider discussions about mental health and cultivating healthier relationships with social media.