Ishitta Arun Discusses Grief and Family Bonding in the Face of Criticism

Actor Ishitta Arun recently addressed the backlash her family received for smiling during the funeral of her uncle, veteran adman Piyush Pandey. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she expressed, “Grief isn't a single script. Remembering him through laughter isn't disrespect; it's how we honor his memory.”

She emphasized the importance of authentic emotional expressions, stating, “We don't stage grief. We remember him honestly, as laughter, courage, and life itself.” Ishitta urged people to understand the context before commenting on such personal moments.

In an interview, she reflected on societal expectations surrounding grief, noting, “If you’re not crying, you must not be grieving. This mentality is pervasive in our culture.” She remarked that social media has amplified these judgments, making people more vocal about their opinions.

Recalling memories from the funeral, she shared, “We sang Mile Sur Mera Tumhara and promised to gather again in happier times. Piyush would have worried about his sisters slipping into sadness, so I’m glad they held their heads high.”

Ishitta concluded by stating that while she is open to critique regarding her work, family matters are sacred. “How we honor someone we love does not require explanation,” she said. “If that makes someone uncomfortable, they can sit with their discomfort; we are not hosting it.”