Deepika Padukone is a well-known celebrity who publicized her battle with depression. She went public and has been an advocate for mental health awareness. In 2015, she established the Live Love Laugh Foundation to demystify mental health in India. The foundation helps people who are struggling with mental health disorders. Because of Deepika’s advocacy, many people understand that depression is something people need to seek help for.
Deepika welcomed her first child, Dua, with actor Ranveer Singh in September 2024. She took a break from her commitments post-child delivery to focus on her family. One of Deepika’s latest professional projects is the film Singham Again, in which she plays a police officer. There have been speculations that the character might even inspire a Lady Singham series, but none of these has been confirmed by the film’s creators.
A recent incident on India’s Got Latent has raised significant controversy. A comedian made a joke about the past struggles of Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone while struggling with depression. During her performance, the comedian used Deepika’s mental health journey as a punchline. This enraged netizens and fans.
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In the viral video, the comedian started by mentioning Deepika Padukone’s recent experience of motherhood. The audience cheered and applauded as a response. She soon made a statement, “Great! Now she knows what depression looks like.” The comment was laughed at by the audience and the judges as well. She further added “I’m not trying to insult break-up wala depression. actually, I am,” referring to Deepika’s past relationship with actor Ranbir Kapoor and their breakup.
Immediately after making these comments, an outcry exploded online. Fans and mental health advocates began to pick up on the joke. They argued that mental illness in particular, depression is a serious issue. It should not be trivialized for the sake of jokes. People die because of depression. To laugh at someone because you think they ‘cooked up’ a story shows how insensitive and uneducated this person is.” Another user added, “Deepika speaking about depression helped so many people see it in a more sensitive light.”
The joke was based on the storyline that Deepika’s depression was due to her former break-up. She had rejected this very storyline. She has publicly spoken about her battle with depression. She has stated very clearly in interviews that it was simply a complex mental illness that she had struggled with for a long and not caused by a breakup. Many people on social media pointed this out.
One user commented on the post, “Depression is not a joke. Deepika didn’t get depressed after a breakup—that’s just a narrative people created to undermine her story.” This expresses the concern that issues about public figures are often reduced or misrepresented only to serve entertainment purposes.
The incident also sparked reactions from other comedians. Tanmay Bhat, who has publicly discussed his struggles with depression, responded to the controversy. Bhat shared his mental health journey in 2019, wherein he spoke about his ongoing struggles with clinical depression. Given his experience, Bhat’s response emphasized the need for sensitivity in discussions about mental health.
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This incident has again raised many important discussions on mental health awareness, mainly about comedy and entertainment. The banners of responsible talks about issues such as depression have long been waved by mental health proponents. Deepika Padukone, amongst others, has had a great role in mental health awareness.
Some people came out to defend the comedian, arguing that comedy often crosses boundaries. They argued that since the audience laughed at the joke, it was clear that the joke was not targeted to offend anyone. However, the extreme criticism exemplifies the change in sensitivity about how people with mental health issues are handled in the public eye. Many believe that depression and other mental health issues are addressed tenderly.
Mental health awareness has come to be more relevant in contemporary times. There have been discussions about mental health both in India and around the world. This has led to calls for greater care in how mental health is portrayed in the media. Be it films, television programs, or comedy, mental health should be portrayed responsibly and sensitively. People should be supported in their struggles and not ridiculed. The scandal also indicates how humour can sometimes be a significant lever that can affect public opinion on serious issues.
To sum up, the incident on India’s Got Latent has sparked a wider conversation about how mental health is represented in the media. It serves as a reminder of the need for sensitivity and respect when discussing issues like depression. As more public figures, like Deepika Padukone, share their struggles with mental health, it is important to foster a culture that encourages open and respectful conversations about the same.
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