03 October 2026 · Vol. XXXIV · № 12.328 Get the letterSearchSaved
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The Wire
Ajay Devgn once opened up about his ‘phobia’ of eating with hands: ‘See…Kajol’

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

Actor Ajay Devgn once candidly admitted that he has a “phobia” of eating with his hands.

“When I eat, I really can’t touch food. So, I eat with a fork and a knife because there is some kind of phobia that my hands would smell of it all day. So, it’s very difficult for me to use my hands while eating.”

Always consult your condition practitioner before starting any routine. He continued, “When I eat, I really can’t touch food.

So, I eat with a fork and a knife because there is some kind of phobia that my hands would smell of it all day. So, it’s very difficult for me to use my hands while eating.” Later, he was seen eating a raw fish. “I’m holding a raw fish that I have to eat.

In certain instances, what looks like a phobia is merely a personal preference, a strong concern about hygiene or a sensory aversion,” stated Dr Sundar. A greater sensitivity to the texture, odour, or the feeling of food on the hands may be present. “Moreover, anxiety can strengthen these reactions, especially when a person starts to anticipate discomfort even before the situation arises,” told reporters Dr Sundar. If it merely amounts to a preference and has no impact on their diet, social life, or everyday functioning, then it’s not a problem. “Different people have different habits when it comes to eating and different levels of comfort.

A concern is secured when the fear becomes persistent, leads to serious anxiety, or starts to limit normal activities. In such cases, it is more helpful to understand the reason lying behind it than simply to try and get the person to overcome the behaviour,” explained Dr Sundar.

Overcoming a fear of eating with hands should be a gradual process rather than something a person is forced to do suddenly, stated Dr Manjusha Agarwal, consultant, internal medicine, Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai. “Starting with familiar foods, maintaining proper hand hygiene, practising slow breathing, and slowly reducing avoidance can help build comfort. If the fear becomes intense or starts affecting eating habits and social life, seeking support from a mental wellbeing expert can help address the underlying anxiety,” said Dr Agarwal.

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