Deepika Padukone
When you hear the word Bollywood, it’s automatically associated with Shah Rukh Khan. But if you dig deeper into the industry, you’ll not only forget about the king of Bollywood but also stumble upon the modern-day queen herself: Deepika Padukone. For those of you who don’t know her, Deepika Padukone is an Indian actress who made her debut in the film Om Shaanti Om. Since joining the industry in 2008, she has quickly become a prominent icon in the Indian world. While she appears graceful and hauntingly beautiful on screen, she has also seen her share of ugliness. Her story reminds us that an actor can portray themself in a myriad of roles, but when it comes to their real life, they can’t pretend forever.
In an interview, Deepika mentions that “on 15th February 2014, [she] vividly remembers waking up with a hollow feeling in [her] stomach and would cry endlessly.” She didn’t understand what was happening, but her mother persuaded her to seek professional help. In doing so, Deepika learned that she had anxiety and depression.
Anxiety and depression may sound like “basic” mental illnesses, but I chose to share her struggle because she was one of the first Indian actresses to go public about her mental illness. During her recovery, Deepika explained how she often felt uncomfortable that no one talked about mental illnesses even though the problem wasn’t unique to her. Because her family was incredibly supportive throughout the journey, it encouraged Deepika to continue therapy despite feeling hopeless some days. For the South Asian community, mental illnesses are heavily stigmatized even more so than in other communities. So when Deepika decided to speak out, it wasn’t just about her being brave enough to share her story. She was brave enough to fight against the South Asian culture that taught people to shoulder their struggles alone.
When you’re an actress, your entire career depends on being noticed. It was Padukone’s embodiment of this idea in all aspects of her life that enabled her to bring attention to mental illness. Padukone said that after encountering the stigma surrounding mental illness, “she felt a deep need to save at least one life.” Hence, she started the Live Love Laugh Foundation in 2015, where she aims to combat the stigma and provide valuable resources for those who are struggling. Her movement has garnered attention throughout India, but more importantly, she is a beacon of hope when people need it most.