Actor Narayani Shastri has spoken candidly about what she describes as the growing drug culture within the entertainment industry, sharing personal experiences and observations from her years in television. During a recent interview, the actor claimed that substance use has become increasingly common at industry gatherings and even alleged that it has affected professional commitments on film and television sets. While making the claims, she chose not to identify any individuals or productions by name.
Narayani also admitted that she had experimented with illegal drugs in the past out of curiosity, while clarifying that she never became dependent on them. Her remarks have sparked fresh conversations about substance abuse in the entertainment business, where similar allegations have surfaced on several occasions over the years.
Narayani Shastri Claims Industry Parties Have Changed
Appearing on Siddharth Kannan’s YouTube channel, Narayani reflected on how, according to her, the atmosphere at entertainment industry parties has evolved over time. She said that there was a noticeable shift from gatherings centred around music and socialising to events where illegal drugs had become more prevalent. The actor explained that witnessing these changes was one of the reasons she eventually stopped attending such parties.
Sharing her experience, Narayani said, “Earlier, there would be a budget for alcohol at parties. Now there’s a budget for drugs. I was shocked when I saw this. That’s why I stopped partying many years ago, because now the parties are not about dancing; they are something else completely… I don’t know these people personally who do drugs but I have seen people doing stuff.”
When asked about the substances she had seen being used, she replied, “cocaine and MDMA. is common.” Narayani further claimed that while drug use is kept discreet at larger industry events, smaller private gatherings often make such activities more visible because attendees are already familiar with one another.
Says Substance Use Has Also Affected Shoots
During the conversation, Narayani also revealed that she had experimented with drugs herself, but insisted it happened only once as a personal experiment rather than a habit. She said, “I have done everything in my life but I have done it as an experiment, to see what happens when you do something.” She added that she never developed an addiction because she did not continue using the substances. The actor also shared that she had consumed alcohol only once, explaining that she wanted to understand its effects in case someone ever spiked her drink.
Narayani went on to claim that drug use has, at times, disrupted film and television productions as well. Speaking about what she had witnessed during her career, she said such situations happened “all the time” and recalled waiting several hours on a set because an actor was allegedly unable to begin filming. According to her, there were occasions when “shoots have been cancelled because the actor is not in a condition to shoot” and one performer “was not in a condition to even stand up.”
She further explained that producers are often placed in a difficult situation when such incidents occur. Replacing an actor midway through a project can affect both the production schedule and audience connection with a character, making the decision far more complicated than it appears. According to Narayani, families are sometimes contacted to help ensure the actor can return to work and filming can resume.
Narayani Shastri has been a familiar face on Indian television for decades, beginning her journey with Kahani Saat Pheron Ki on Doordarshan before gaining wider recognition through shows such as Koi Apna Sa, Kkusum, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Piya Ka Ghar, Mamta, Namak Haraam, and Rishton Ka Chakravyuh. She also showcased a different side of her personality by participating in the celebrity dance reality show Nach Baliye. Her latest comments have once again brought attention to the broader conversation around substance abuse in the entertainment industry, although the actor did not name any individuals or provide specific details about the incidents she described.
