Mahesh Bhatt says filmmaking is such a "high stress business" that it consumes people, often making them prone to substance abuse and mood swings. Bhatt says the constant urge to get validation for one's work could be terrifying. "It [films] is a high-stress business and that's why, not many can do it. That's why you have people prone to substance abuse and mood swings. You have a tendency to gravitate towards depression because you are dependent continuously," Bhatt told reporters.

"When you show a trailer, you constantly wonder if there will be claps. It takes a lot of courage to be on the centre stage and hope that people will shower compliments on you," he added. The director was speaking at the trailer launch of Dark Side Of Life: Mumbai City, with which he will make his acting debut.