Actor Deepika Padukone’s decision to become one of India’s most prominent voices for mental health awareness was deeply influenced by a personal tragedy, her father Prakash Padukone has revealed.
Speaking on The Something Bigger Show with Rodrigo Canelas, the former badminton champion shared that while Deepika’s public disclosure about her battle with depression in 2015 was a courageous step, it was the loss of a close friend shortly afterwards that motivated her to take her advocacy further and establish The Live Love Laugh Foundation.
Deepika made headlines in 2015 when she openly discussed her experience with depression, becoming one of the first major Bollywood stars to speak candidly about mental health. Her openness sparked a nationwide conversation and helped challenge long-standing stigma surrounding mental illness in India.
Recalling that period, Prakash Padukone said the family wholeheartedly supported Deepika’s decision to share her story publicly.
“We had no objection at all to her going public if it was helping others because she was in a position where she could make a difference,” he said, adding that she recognised the impact her voice could have on people struggling silently.
According to him, the turning point came when one of Deepika’s close friends passed away a few months later.
“That was when she felt something needed to be done so that more people could become aware about mental health. That’s when she started thinking seriously about creating a foundation,” he explained.
Prakash revealed that Deepika later discussed her vision with her parents, expressing a desire to focus on mental health awareness while many celebrities were supporting causes such as education and women’s empowerment. Encouraging her initiative, he assured her of the family’s complete support.
The result was The Live Love Laugh Foundation, an organisation dedicated to creating awareness, reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek help for mental health concerns. Nearly a decade later, the foundation continues to play a significant role in promoting conversations around mental well-being across India.
Prakash Padukone also stressed the importance of treating mental health issues with the same seriousness as physical illnesses. He noted that many people avoid seeking help due to social stigma, even though mental health conditions are treatable.
“If someone feels anxious, depressed or mentally unwell, they should not hesitate to consult a psychiatrist or mental health professional. There is no reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed,” he said, emphasising the value of early intervention and counselling.
Deepika herself has previously spoken about the challenges she faced after launching the foundation. During a conversation last year, she recalled how some people questioned her intentions and dismissed her efforts as a publicity exercise. Despite the scepticism, she remained committed to normalising conversations around mental health.
Her long-term vision, she said, is for discussions about mental well-being to become as common and accepted in India as gully cricket.
On the professional front, Deepika Padukone was last seen in Kalki 2898 AD. She is set to appear next in King alongside Shah Rukh Khan and also has an upcoming project with director Atlee and actor Allu Arjun.
More than a decade after she first opened up about her own struggles, Deepika’s journey continues to inspire conversations around mental health, proving how personal experiences can create lasting social change.
