Ajay Devgn once opened up about his ‘phobia’ of eating with hands: ‘See…Kajol’

Actor Ajay Devgn once revealed that he has a phobia of eating with his hands. When challenged by actress Kajol to eat the smelliest, grossest, and slimiest thing on Bear Grylls' TV show in 2021, Devgn confessed, "So, I have this problem." He explained that he can't touch food while eating, leading him to use a fork and knife instead of his hands, which he fears would smell all day. Despite this, Devgn was seen eating a raw fish, stating, "I'm holding a raw fish that I have to eat. See, Kajol, I'm eating!"

Dr. Sundar Krishnan, a senior consultant at KIMS Hospitals Thane, clarified that a dislike or discomfort with eating with hands does not necessarily indicate a clinical phobia. Instead, it could be a personal preference, strong hygiene concerns, or a sensory aversion. The phobia becomes a concern only if it impacts daily life, causing avoidance of eating, social interactions, or particular environments, leading to significant distress or uncontrollable worry.

Experts emphasize that not every odd eating preference should be considered a disorder. If the fear is merely a preference and doesn't affect diet, social life, or daily functioning, it's not a problem. However, if the fear is persistent, causes severe anxiety, or limits normal activities, it's advisable to seek professional help.

Overcoming the fear should be a gradual process, starting with familiar foods, maintaining hand hygiene, practicing slow breathing, and reducing avoidance. If the fear becomes intense and affects eating habits and social life, consulting a mental health expert can help address the underlying anxiety.