8 Times Deepika Padukone Took A Stand And Set An Example For Bollywood Celebrities

Deepika Padukone is renowned for her powerful on-screen performances, daring film selections, and fiery candour when it comes to expressing her opinions on various kinds of social causes. She has captured our hearts with her courageous voice over the years and has shown the world her remarkable acting capabilities in blockbuster films such as Piku, Chhapaak, Bajirao Mastani, and Padmaavat.

Her awards include three Filmfare Awards, making her one of India’s highest-paid actresses. She is included among the country’s most popular figures, and Time named her one of the world’s 100 most important people in 2018.

Deepika Padukone, an actress, is one of the superstars in the film industry that does not tolerate nasty trolls and thinking. She has been ridiculed a lot on social media, from body shaming to being labelled an anti-national. But she’s always handled detractors like a pro.

Here are eight occasions Deepika set an example for other women and celebrities in the industry to speak out against anything wrong:

1. When she stood in solidarity with JNU students

When the actress showed up at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus in 2020 as a gesture of support during the CAA-NRC protest and numerous college campuses were assaulted, she drew a lot of attention.

She talked more loudly than her companions while standing calmly with her hands folded. While some mocked her for what they saw as a publicity gimmick, others defended her, claiming that her actions may put her career in jeopardy.

2. When she responded to the trolls who mocked her for performing her job in an appropriate manner

During the shooting of Gehraiyaan, Deepika was often asked by the public if she had her husband Ranveer Singh’s “permission” to shoot romantic sequences. The actress, in her trademark acerbic flair, slammed the door on the trolls’ face, saying,

“It’s stupid that we’re even reacting to it. I think, for us, that’s the most important thing. I don’t read comments. I’m pretty certain even he doesn’t. And, I think. Yuck! It just feels so stupid.”

3. When she brought up the media’s obsession with cleavage and women’s breasts

When a prominent national daily published a complete article headlined “OMG: Deepika Padukone’s cleavage show” in 2015, Deepika retaliated with a tweet, pointing out the “leading” newspaper’s yellow journalism. On this, she said,

“YES! I am a Woman. I have breasts AND a cleavage! You got a problem!!??”

4. When she smashed the daily misogyny that we all have experienced in our lives

When a reporter questioned if her husband Ranveer Singh had invested in the creation of the film Chhapaak during a promotional event in 2020, she quickly fired back, saying,

“Excuse me, it is my money!”

The event brought to light the sexism and misogyny that exists in our society, where it is thought that women are unable to be financially self-sufficient.

5. When she wasn’t afraid to discuss depression and mental health difficulties

On an occasion, Deepika discussed her struggle with depression with WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. She went into detail about how her health worsened at a time when she was at the pinnacle of her career and had a happy personal life. When she founded The Live Love Laugh Foundation, Deepika opened a conversation about mental health.

Given her celebrity profile, her candid disclosure helped to further de-stigmatize mental health concerns and start a much-needed dialogue about mental health. She said,

“Mental illness happened to me when I had least expected it. In my case, it came with no warning signs.”

6. When she talked about how important it is for women to take time for themselves

The actor feels that women should take time away from their obligations and responsibilities to focus on themselves and their well-being on a regular basis. Rather than continuously attempting to be the perfect and ideal lady, they should consider their mental, physical, and emotional well-being. She said,

“I think women have a tendency of feeling a lot of guilt when they are playing different roles. They are always trying to be perfect. I feel it’s important to take out time for yourself and do that without guilt.”

7. When she discussed the unfair treatment of crew people on set during the filming of a film

In a recent interview, Deepika emphasised that everyone should strive for a work-life balance, and that crew workers should be compensated for working long hours. She also stated that healthful food should be offered to everybody and that there should be no distinction between “A-catering” and “B-catering.”

8. When it came to her initiatives, she was a firm believer in standing in her position

She has managed to keep her head high amidst controversies, whether it was shooting a difficult role as an acid attack survivor and bringing out the trauma of the person on-screen in Chhapaak, or risks of her nose being sliced off for Padmaavat due to so-called hurt religious sentiments of people.

Following her visit to the JNU campus, right-wing trolls began harassing her and demanding that her film Chhapaak be banned. In addition, her films Padmaavat, Bajirao Mastani, and Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela sparked debate. But the performer remained unflappable in the face of the nonsense.

9. When she talked about the salary difference between men and women in the industry

The actor has spoken out against the film industry’s apparent gender wage discrepancy, calling it “the most unfair thing.” She has mentioned it several times. Once she said,

“I know my track record and what I am worth. I don’t think I’ll be able to live with the thought knowing that I have been a part of a film, had the same creative contribution or bringing the same value to the film, but being underpaid.”