Deepika Padukone Speaks About Breaking Stereotypes, And Her Mental Health Journey, In Meghan Markle’s Latest Podcast Episode
Archetypes: The Decoding of Crazy episode was released yesterday; Bazaar Arabia shares all the details here…
The new podcast episode, “The Decoding of Crazy” by Meghan Markle’s Archetypes, was released yesterday and included talking segments with Jenny Slate, Constance Wu, and Bollywood star Deepika Padukone.
The third part of the 55-minute episode included a one-on-one conversation between the Duchess of Sussex and Bollywood sensation Deepika Padukone. Meghan Markle introduced the star with a bold statement: “she has made it her mission to end societal stereotypes about mental health. She is one of the most famous actors in all of Bollywood.” Followed by a series of Deepika’s most famous film dialogues.
The discussion began with Deepika opening up about how she got into the film industry; even though she came from a sports background, she didn’t give up on her dreams of becoming a film actress. “I watched these women on screen and felt that’s where I belong. It was really weird, and I had no idea if I was talented or not or whether I knew the right people to do this, but I continued on my journey.”
After mentioning the plethora of impressive titles, the actress has won over the years, such as Best Actress Filmfare, Time 100, and more, the Duchess of Sussex goes on to share Deepika Padukone’s efforts to de-stigmatize and advocate Mental Health struggles, which the Bollywood actress has openly discussed in the public domain several times in previous interviews and on her social media pages.
The thirty-six-year-old artist elaborated on her personal experience and said, “I woke up one morning, and everything was going well. My films were a success, personally beautiful relationships, a supportive family. It just sort of came out of the blue. I woke up and fell, my blood pressure dropped, and the next thing I know my life just felt meaningless. I didn’t want to live anymore, I didn’t want to get out of bed, and I struggled with this for many many months. I would just break down at the drop of a hat, not be present and be talking to someone or be at an event or engaging with someone, but my mind was just somewhere else. And I never felt like that before, so it just all felt like so disorienting. My parents were visiting me, and the day they were ready to leave I was sitting and watching them pack, and I started crying again, and my mom was like, what’s wrong? Is it your relationship, or has someone said something to you? I said I don’t know I have been feeling like this for many many months, and I just keep crying, and I don’t know why. It’s a feeling of hopelessness. You feel like there’s no point in living.”
After being one of the first celebrities in the country to come out with her story, Deepika was set on breaking stereotypes and stigmas regarding mental health. And furthermore, utilized her platform to spread awareness and launch her foundation Live Laugh Love, which aims to provide resources and support for people going through any stress, anxiety, or depression.
“There’s two parts two this. One is where people struggle the most, especially in India, where there is so much stigma attached to mental illness. So one is creating awareness; most of us do not even know we are struggling with mental illness. And second, if we are to de-stigmatise it, let people know that it is okay to seek help and let caregivers know that it is okay for someone to go through this. It is the same way we have physical ailments, our mind is very much part of our body, but somehow when it comes to our mental illness, we start treating our minds like out of our bodies,” says the actress and model.
Shortly after, the Piku actress lightheartedly shares her love for her sister and husband, Ranveer Singh, with Meghan Markle. “It’s all about the little things like hugging my sister or late-night conversations with my husband. Those are the moments that really fill me up today.”
The podcast ended with a sweet comment by Deepika that said “My husband was at a music festival for a week, and he’s just got back. So he’s going to be happy to see my face.” That comment left the Duchess of Sussex in awe, and let’s be honest, all of us too.
Click here to hear the entire episode.
Lead Image Courtesy of Instagram/@theroyalfamily, @DeepikaPadukone