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This International Men’s Day, we chat with Sai Ketan Rao, known for his roles in Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali and Imlie. Sai opens up on the vital contributions of men to society, the challenges of balancing personal growth with expectations, and shares his insights on achieving a well-rounded, balanced lifestyle.
International Men’s Day this year has the theme of ‘Celebrating Men and Boys.’ What does celebrating male contributions to our world mean to you?
For me, celebrating men and boys means finally acknowledging a kind of strength that often goes unnoticed; the quiet, consistent, relentless kind. Men have been the backbone of so many families and societies, working day and night, carrying responsibilities without complaint. They often forget their own selves while ensuring everyone else is fine, their parents, their partners, their homes. They fight battles silently, sometimes without even realising how heavy those burdens are.
Celebrating men isn’t about pride or power; it’s about recognition. It’s about saying, “We see you. We see the sacrifices, the long hours, the sleepless nights, the patience you’ve shown.” Because for too long, men have been expected to just keep going and it’s time we pause to truly honour that endurance.
Especially in the entertainment industry, the contribution of men often gets overshadowed. There’s a growing culture of visibility where reach, trends, or appearance sometimes weigh more than pure dedication. But behind the glamour, there are countless men who work relentlessly, without shortcuts, without privileges. Celebrating men means acknowledging their unseen fight, their quiet consistency, and their strength to keep going even when the world doesn’t applaud them.
Men often face a lot of societal pressure. How do you think men can better balance societal expectations with personal growth?
The pressure on men is constant — to perform, to provide, to succeed, and to stay strong through it all. Society doesn’t give men much room to fall or to fail. In the film industry, it’s even harsher. There’s competition, politics, and judgment at every level. Sometimes you give your all — your sweat, your heart, your years, and still remain unseen because the system favors visibility over sincerity.
Balancing that begins when you stop living to please others. When you stop chasing validation and start focusing on becoming the man you respect. Growth happens when you protect your peace and your integrity, no matter how unfair the world gets.
Yes, there is politics, there is bias, there is favoritism — it all exists. In all sectors, even in films, your real power lies in consistency. In not quitting. In silently building yourself until you become undeniable. The world might not clap for your struggles, but one day, your journey will speak louder than any applause.
Personal growth starts when you stop chasing approval and start grounding yourself in purpose. I’ve learned that no matter how unfair things get, your focus must remain on the craft — because authenticity lasts longer than trends.
Men are often expected to hide emotions. How important do you think emotional openness is for men?
It’s crucial. I’ve seen many men, including actors, break silently under pressure because they don’t feel allowed to express what they’re feeling. In our industry, you’re expected to look strong, confident, and perfect, but no one asks how you’re actually doing. Behind every performance, there’s a human being carrying years of rejection, comparison, and emotional exhaustion.
Men need to be allowed to feel. To cry, to share, to be vulnerable. Emotions don’t make a man weak — they make him whole. As an actor, my art depends on how deeply I can connect with my emotions. Off-screen, I believe every man should allow himself that same space — to heal, to release, to breathe. Because bottling it up only breaks you in the long run.
Fitness and mental health often go together. We see you maintaining your physical fitness online, but how do you achieve mental fitness, and what advice would you give men trying to achieve a balanced lifestyle?
Fitness for me is discipline — but not just physical, mental too. Working in this industry teaches you resilience. You might face rejection after rejection, and yet you have to wake up and give your best again. That takes mental strength. I’ve learned to stay grounded through meditation, silence, and by focusing on the work, not the noise around it.
To men out there — balance doesn’t come from running harder, it comes from pausing and resetting. Physical strength might get you noticed, but mental fitness keeps you standing. Don’t let comparison drain your peace. Train your mind like a muscle — with patience, with purpose, and with pride in your journey, even when it’s unseen.
What is one piece of advice you’d like to share with your male fans about growing into responsible and compassionate individuals?
My advice would be — don’t lose your heart in a world that often overlooks it. Be responsible, yes. Take care of your family, your dreams, your people. But don’t forget to care of yourself. The world rarely stops to ask men how they’re doing; it just keeps expecting more.
To all the hardworking men, especially in creative fields — keep your integrity intact. You may not always get instant recognition, but your honesty will outlast every wave of politics and superficial fame. Be compassionate, stay grounded, and remember — real strength is silent, but it never goes unseen by time.
