Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of self-harm

Actor and producer Ravi Mohan on Saturday, addressed details of distressed personal life, career and mental state, and asserted he will pause acting until his divorce is finalised.

In a press meet held at his office, Ravi Mohan said he was unable to concentrate on work given the current circumstances and is not able to "bear the unnecessary humiliation" he has been facing in the recent times.

The actor's decision comes amid growing online chatter on his marital discord with his estranged wife Aarti Ravi. With court proceedings ongoing since last year, the duo were involved in a war of words which escalated after his public appearances with singer Keneeshaa made headlines.

"Many people are trying to provoke me. To all of them, I want to say one thing — this is my office, come directly. Don’t do anything indirectly," he said, noting how he remained silent even when people "pulled him down" and used him as a "punching bag".

Commenting on the "cyberbullying" from internet users, he said, "Whenever I get my divorce and my life becomes normal again, whenever this cyberbullying stops, I will return. I see everything. I know everything that is happening. For 23 years, I have worked day and night. Ninety-five percent of my films have been successful. It feels strange that I even have to say this myself, but I have earned everything through hard work."

Ravi Mohan underlined his love for his family and said he won't remain silent if anyone talks about them or tries to hurt them.

"My mistake was staying silent for all these years. I tolerated things for too long. People talk about feminism — what is feminism? Does anyone really understand it? I made films that spoke for women and against violence. I have always stood for women’s rights in my films. How can anyone say I don’t understand women? My mother did not raise me that way. People still quote my dialogues from Peraanmai. I have always believed women are powerful and deserve respect," he added.

The actor continued speaking about the online hate Keneesha faced. "You all destroyed a girl through cyberbullying. I never held interviews about it, and wherever she is, I only wish her well. That’s all. What wrong did she do? She posted a video and immediately faced cyberbullying. What did she even understand about me? Why target someone unnecessarily?," he said.

Ravi Mohan also highlighted his commitment to family, and how he spent over Rs 50 lakh on his children's education. "I left my house with nothing. Today, I’m living in a rented house, while the house I built still exists. I should have been happy in the home I built through hard work. If someone is not allowed to work peacefully, how can they survive? No matter how much people ridicule me, I am still human before being a celebrity," he explained, showing his bruised hands to the media, indicating self-harm.

"They are not letting me see my children. I started hurting myself. Look at this hand… this is what happens. That’s what they want. I gave in to everything. But not anymore," he said.

Without mentioning names Ravi Mohan alleged that people are assuming things about him a "three-letter actress". "Some senior heroes, people I respect from the industry, apparently said things about someone who, according to me, came into my life and created problems in my family. What right do people have to speak about my personal life? If you can act better than me, go ahead and act better. Win awards, I’ll appreciate it," he elaborated. He also claimed that his parents had expressed concerns about the marriage and had warned him early on, but said he did not listen to them.

Ravi Mohan said he has never believed in competing with fellow actors and reiterated that he has always preferred to stay away from negativity. Stressing that social media does not define a person’s true image, he said genuine relationships and the people who truly know him matter more.

Appealing for space, Ravi Mohan said he understands the pain of men who suffer silently and promised to stand by those facing similar struggles, while asking fans to give him time before he returns.