Several Bollywood personalities have opened up about their experiences with alcohol, sobriety and recovery. From writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar to actors Pooja Bhatt and Fardeen Khan, their public accounts highlight how changing drinking habits can affect personal well-being, relationships and everyday life.
While some have confirmed long-term sobriety, others have discussed problematic drinking or recovery without publicly confirming complete abstinence.
1. Javed Akhtar
Writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar has spoken about his past dependence on alcohol. He revealed that he stopped drinking on August 1, 1991, after recognising the consequences of his drinking habits.
2. Pooja Bhatt
Actor and filmmaker Pooja Bhatt has openly discussed her recovery journey. In 2020, she shared that she had been sober for three years and nine months, highlighting the importance of acknowledging alcohol-related problems.
3. Fardeen Khan
Actor Fardeen Khan revealed that he quit alcohol in 2020 after realising it was interfering with his life. He has credited professional help with supporting his decision to become sober.
4. Bobby Deol
Bobby Deol has spoken about how alcohol affected his family relationships. In 2025, he revealed that he had been sober for more than a year and described the positive impact of the change on his personal life.
5. Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan has publicly reflected on giving up alcohol and smoking. His account highlights a lifestyle change, although it should not automatically be interpreted as confirmation that he experienced alcohol dependence.
6. Ronit Roy
Actor Ronit Roy has discussed changing unhealthy habits during a difficult period in his life. His experiences reflect how personal circumstances can prompt people to reconsider their lifestyle choices.
7. Piyush Mishra
Actor and lyricist Piyush Mishra has spoken candidly about his prolonged struggle with alcohol. His account highlights that recovery can be complicated and may require continued professional and personal support.
8. Manisha Koirala
Actor Manisha Koirala has reflected on past challenges involving alcohol and other personal difficulties. Her experiences underscore the importance of addressing harmful drinking without stigma.
9. Kapil Sharma
Media reports have discussed alcohol-related difficulties during comedian Kapil Sharma’s challenging career period. However, reports of past problems or treatment do not establish his current drinking status.
10. Yuzvendra Chahal
Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal recently spoke about his struggle with alcohol and revealed that he spent 26 days in a rehabilitation centre. He said quitting alcohol helped him regain emotional balance and focus on cricket.
How Alcohol Dependence Can Affect Health
Alcohol dependence can affect several aspects of physical and mental health. Heavy or prolonged consumption can damage the liver, raise blood pressure, affect brain function and increase the risk of certain cancers. It can also disrupt sleep, strain relationships and interfere with work.
The severity of these effects varies according to drinking patterns, duration and individual health factors.
Can Health Improve After Quitting Alcohol?
Stopping alcohol can improve sleep, daily functioning and some measures of physical health. The liver may recover from early alcohol-related damage, although advanced scarring may be irreversible. Avoiding alcohol also reduces exposure to several alcohol-related health risks.
Recovery is not always straightforward. People who have been drinking heavily for a prolonged period may experience dangerous withdrawal symptoms if they stop suddenly. Medical guidance is important, and supervised treatment, counselling or medication may be necessary.
The experiences shared by celebrities can encourage conversations about alcohol-related harm, but recovery looks different for everyone. Alcohol dependence is a health condition, not a personal failing, and seeking professional help is an important step towards recovery.
