Hasee Toh Phasee: Did Bollywood Unknowingly Portray Autism?

Disclaimer: Article written based on research & lived experiences as a late diagnosed AuDHD woman. 

Bollywood, Autism & The Search for Representation

When I was first diagnosed as autistic, first thing I did was diving into researching autistic representation in media—being the movie and media enthusiast that I am. I wasn’t looking for the usual stereotypical portrayals like the ones in Rain Man and Barfi—the ones that only showcase individuals on the more severe end of the spectrum. I wanted to find characters that truly reflected the vastness of autism, including those who mask so well that their struggles often go unnoticed.

Like many autistic individuals, I notice things others might overlook. However, even when I understand why someone is behaving a certain way, I rarely speak up about it. Years of masking have conditioned me to stay quiet, especially when I notice things people aren’t ready to accept. Many times, what I observe makes others uncomfortable or defensive, so I avoid talking about it to prevent unnecessary conflict. But that doesn’t mean I don’t see the patterns.

This same instinct led me to analyze movie characters, searching for those who might unknowingly reflect the autistic experience. I quickly identified male characters like Ved from Tamasha and Jordan from Rockstar, but I struggled to find a female character who represented the same traits. Then, my brain recalled Meeta Solanki, played by Parineeti Chopra in Hasee Toh Phasee, and everything clicked.

Meeta Solanki: Bollywood’s Accidental Autistic Representation?

When I first rewatched Hasee Toh Phasee, I had a moment of absolute clarity. This is it. This is the representation I’ve been looking for.

Meeta Solanki isn’t portrayed as a stereotypical autistic character, but everything about her screamed neurodivergence to me. And yet, instead of being recognized for the uniquely wired, intelligent, and complex person she is, she was reduced to the label “Mental Meeta.”

It was frustrating to see the media and audience dismiss her when, in reality, her character beautifully captured the experience of a highly intelligent, moderate-support-requirement autistic woman.

Watching her masking and unmasking, struggling to communicate emotions freely, and being misunderstood by those around her was both validating and deeply triggering. For a girl like myself—who functions in hyper-independence but secretly craves to be cared for and loved like anyone else—it truly broke me when I felt seen through Meeta. There’s a moment where she finally lets her tears fall after holding them in for so long, and I found myself sobbing right along with her—because so many autistic individuals have lived that exact experience.

Signs of Autism in Meeta Solanki

Meeta, a science graduate and PhD student, displays multiple traits that many autistic individuals will instantly recognize:

• Making “anti-social” faces at people

• Extremely knowledgeable in her field of interest

• Hating unnecessary interruptions & small talk

• Avoiding social engagement

• Does not sugarcoat things/brutally honest

• Instantly recalling information with near-computerized accuracy (high IQ)

• Incessant blinking and twitching her nose

• Being extremely jittery and restless

• Constantly taking medication, possibly for sensory regulation 

To the average neurotypical viewer, these might just seem like quirks, but to many of us on the spectrum—with strong pattern recognition skills—they’re familiar patterns. We don’t need a diagnostic checklist in hand to see ourselves in others—our experiences, struggles, and ways of existing in the world make that recognition instinctive.

Scenes That Hit Hard

One of the most hard-hitting scenes in Hasee Toh Phasee is when Meeta is locked in a room for hours to stay hidden. She remains there for so long that she wets herself.

It’s an embarrassing moment, but an incredibly real one for autistic individuals who struggle with cognitive control over body autonomy.

Many autistic individuals experience interoception difficulties—meaning they don’t always recognize bodily signals like hunger, thirst, or the need to use the restroom until it’s too late. The fact that this scene was included in the movie, whether intentional or not, speaks volumes about the lived experiences of many autistic individuals.

Another powerful moment is when Meeta explicitly describes her sensory challenges—a fundamental aspect of autism. She explains how she experiences extreme sensitivity to her surroundings, something that many autistic people navigate daily. Whether it’s bright lights, loud noises, or overwhelming social interactions, heightened sensory perception often dictates how we interact with the world.

Yet, instead of recognizing these as autistic traits, the mainstream audience dismissed her as just being “weird” or “crazy.” The lack of awareness around neurodivergence meant that a character who could have been a game-changing representation was reduced to an offensive stereotype.

How Other Neurodivergents Felt

When I originally shared my thoughts about Meeta on Instagram, the response was overwhelming. So many diagnosed and undiagnosed neurodivergents related to my analysis:

“I actually felt seen in this character.” — @sibya.r

For many, it was one of the first times they had seen their struggles reflected on screen so clearly. The portrayal of masking, impulse control difficulties, and sensory overload was something they deeply connected with.

Another viewer said:

“Thank you so much for this detailed post! I haven’t watched the movie, so learning that Bollywood does have a movie with a female autistic character is surprising. Hope they make more portrayals of neurodivergence!” — @freyingattheedeges

The lack of awareness about autism in mainstream Indian media means that many people, even neurodivergent ones, may not recognize their own traits until much later in life.

Another fellow female acquaintance said:

“This makes so much sense!” — @shameless_n_weird

For those of us who have lived these experiences, seeing them portrayed authentically on screen is both affirming and cathartic. It sparks conversations, fosters understanding, and most importantly, helps neurodivergent individuals feel less alone.

Why Bollywood Needs More Nuanced Neurodivergent Characters

Meeta Solanki may not have been explicitly written as an autistic character, but for many of us, she represents a reality that Bollywood has largely overlooked. The lack of accurate and diverse portrayals of neurodivergence in Indian cinema means that many autistic individuals, especially women, grow up without ever seeing themselves reflected on screen. 

As for movie critics like Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri, who in his critique of Hasee Toh Phasee, categorized the film as a poor depiction of anxiety, schizophrenia, and other mental disorders. My question to him is:  Before using such heavy psychological phrases…

“Do you understand autism? Do you realize how vast the spectrum is?”

Autistic representation in media isn’t just about awareness—it’s about validation. It’s about showing the world that autism exists in countless forms, beyond the stereotypes of either the socially withdrawn genius or the child in need of constant support. It’s about telling nuanced, authentic stories that help both neurodivergent and neurotypical audiences understand the spectrum in its entirety.

As more conversations around neurodiversity gain momentum, I hope Bollywood will move beyond outdated tropes and start creating characters who are complex, relatable, and, most importantly, human. Until then, we will keep searching for ourselves in the stories that weren’t necessarily meant for us—but still somehow speak to us.

And maybe, just maybe, the next time Bollywood gives us a neurodivergent character, they’ll get it right.

What are some characters in Bollywood (or any cinema) that you’ve connected with in ways others might not have noticed? Have you ever seen a character and thought, That’s me—even if the world didn’t recognize it? Let’s talk about it in the comments!