Deepika Padukone Reflects on Her Depression Journey: “I’d Admit It All Over Again”

As Deepika Padukone turns 40 on January 5, 2026, and marks two decades in Bollywood, her journey continues to inspire. Known for her candor, she became the first major Bollywood star to openly discuss her battle with depression back in 2015. She later founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation, dedicated to raising awareness about stress, anxiety, and mental health in India.

In a 2019 interview with Vogue India, Deepika described her experience with depression as a constant “struggle.” She explained, “Every second was a struggle. I felt exhausted the whole time. People confuse it 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!”

Her mother recognized the symptoms early and encouraged her to seek help. Deepika has since said she never regretted speaking publicly about her struggles. “Not at all. I felt such relief afterwards. It was liberating, like a crushing weight had been lifted off me. I’d do it all over again. Also, it made me more aware of myself.”

Looking ahead, Deepika has several exciting projects lined up. She will reunite with Shah Rukh Khan in King, which also stars Suhana Khan and is directed by Siddharth Anand. She is part of Atlee’s AA22xA6 alongside Allu Arjun, and is expected to reprise her role as DCP Shakti Shetty in Rohit Shetty’s cop universe.