Yo Yo Honey Singh Opens Up About His Struggles with Addiction and Mental Health
A Candid Reflection on Fame and Challenges
Yo Yo Honey Singh has recently shared his experiences during one of the toughest phases of his life, revealing that Bollywood legends Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar had repeatedly warned him about the dangers of his increasing substance use. In a recent episode of the ABtalks podcast, the rapper-singer opened up about his swift rise to fame, his struggles with addiction, mental health challenges, and the emotional turmoil that led him to step back from the limelight at the peak of his career.
During his discussion, Honey Singh reflected on the years 2011 to 2014, a time when he was overwhelmed by fame, wealth, and addiction. He admitted that he had lost touch with reality, stating, “I was not happy. Although I reached the height of my career in 2013 and 2014, my mental state was poor. I thought I had achieved everything on my own and even called myself God.” He acknowledged that the combination of fame and substance abuse pushed him into a dark place.
Honey Singh emphasized that he does not blame the entertainment industry for his issues, attributing his struggles to his own choices. He recounted how Bollywood icons like Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, and Akshay Kumar treated him with respect and kindness, despite their own fame. However, he noted that Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar were particularly concerned about his lifestyle and consistently advised him against drug use. “Shah Rukh Khan told me multiple times, ‘This will ruin you, end you, and destroy you,’” he revealed.
After 2014, the artist began facing severe mental health challenges and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder while also battling substance abuse. In earlier interviews, he candidly discussed how addiction had taken over his life, admitting to smoking multiple joints daily, excessive drinking, and isolating himself from loved ones. Following a breakdown during a tour in 2017, he decided to take a break from music, returned to Delhi, quit substance use, and sought help from medical professionals and therapists.
After a significant absence from the public eye, Honey Singh made a comeback in 2023 with the release of Kalaastar, a sequel to his hit song Desi Kalakaar featuring Sonakshi Sinha. He has since been actively touring, releasing new music, and reconnecting with fans. His recent projects include the album 51 Glorious Days and the song Jhoom Sharabi from the upcoming film De De Pyaar De 2 starring Ajay Devgn.
