(Image source from: T2 Online)

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone’s story of dealing with depression isn’t a secret. The actress, who first talked about mental illness in 2015, has on many occasions brought the issue to the forefront on public platforms to spread awareness.   

In a recent interview with Vogue magazine, Deepika Padukone reacted to Salman Khan’s ‘cannot afford the luxury to be depressed’ controversial comment.

She said: “People confuse it (battling depression) with being a bit sad. A male star said recently that he 'didn't have the luxury to be depressed.' As if... depression is a choice!"

In February 2018, during the TiE Global Summit, Salman Khan had said, "I see a lot of people getting depressed and emotional but I can't afford that luxury of being depressed or sad or emotional because no matter what I am going through, it works against me."

Deepika Padukone during an event earlier, said: "Depression is sometimes perceived as a luxury. People think that those who have too much time or money get into depression. I think it is very important to break that myth," according to Pinkvilla.

At many events, she also talked about the lessons she has learned from battling depression - patience and hope.

The 33-year-old actress, at interview with NDTV in 2015, said: “I woke up one morning just feeling empty you know like this pettish feeling in my stomach that I was telling them that I get this pettish feeling in my stomach. I woke up like feeling directionless, I didn't know where to go, I didn't know what to do and I had these bouts of feeling so low that I would just start crying at the drop of the hat."

On the work front, Deepika Padukone will be next seen in Meghna Gulzar’s Chhapaak, based on the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal.

By Sowmya Sangam