Deepika Padukone recently appeared on an episode of Pariksha Pe Charcha, an initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed at raising mental health awareness. During this episode, she candidly opened up about her personal battle with depression, detailing the long and silent struggles she faced while living in Mumbai. It was her mother who first noticed that something was wrong, prompting Deepika to seek help.
In her heartfelt disclosures, Deepika shared the overwhelming weight of her mental health challenges, recalling moments when she experienced suicidal thoughts. “I transitioned from school to sports, then modeling, and eventually acting. I kept pushing myself until, in 2014, I suddenly fainted. It was only later that I realized I was struggling with depression,” she explained. Deepika emphasized the hidden nature of depression, stating, “The thing about depression is that it’s invisible – you can’t always see it. There might be people around us battling anxiety or depression, yet we may never know because, on the outside, they seem happy and normal.”
Reflecting on her tumultuous journey, Deepika revealed that her mother’s support was crucial. She recalled a pivotal moment when she broke down during a visit from her mother. “My family asked me all sorts of questions about my work, but all I could say was, ‘I don’t know. I just feel helpless and hopeless. Mujhe jeena hi nahi hai (I don’t want to live),'” she recounted. Fortunately, her mother recognized the signs and encouraged her to see a psychologist.
Deepika highlighted the stigma surrounding mental health in India, stating, “In our country, mental health carries a stigma, making it difficult to talk about. But as soon as I started speaking about it, I felt lighter. Anxiety, stress, and depression can affect anyone, and talking about it truly eases the burden.”
On a personal note, Deepika Padukone and her husband Ranveer Singh welcomed their first child, a daughter named Dua, in September of last year. Professionally, she has had a busy few years, starring in successful films like Pathaan, Jawan, Fighter, Kalki 2898 AD, and Singham Again. Currently, she is on maternity break but is expected to resume filming for Kalki 2 alongside Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan, indicating that her career will continue to thrive after this pivotal moment in her life.
