Bollywood star Deepika Padukone joined Meghan, Duchess of Sussex on her hugely successful podcast Archetypes to discuss mental health and how openly speaking about their journey has changed their lives and impacted others.
In a heartfelt episode titled Decoding of Crazy, which was released on Spotify on Tuesday, a day after World Mental Health Day, the pair recounted their initial struggles, shared how they sought help and how they take care of their mental health each day.
"Everything in my life seemed great — my films were a success and my career was going great. But I woke up one morning and felt my blood pressure drop. The next thing I know, my life felt meaningless. I didn't want to live anymore," Padukone tells Meghan. "And I struggled with this for many months. I would break down at the drop of a hat. I’d never felt like that before. All of it just felt disorienting."
Meghan, who spoke about having suicidal thoughts in 2021, following the backlash to her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018, also shared how her husband was instrumental in helping her seek support during the “worst point” in her life.
“I think it’s for all of us to be really honest about what it is that you need and to not be afraid to ask for help," she shares.
Now a major global star, Padukone, 36, one of the highest paid actresses in India, has won numerous awards for her work in helping to destigmatise mental health issues in her country. Inspired by her own journey, she founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation in 2015, which runs a free counselling service and trains primary care physicians to better identify and treat mental health conditions, among other things.
While she's widely praised for her advocacy, it wasn't easy at first for Padukone.
"There were people who thought that I was promoting a movie, or that I was being paid by a pharmaceutical company," she says. "But as difficult as it was, I am grateful that I went through that experience."
"And now you have helped normalise one of the most important conversations of our time," Meghan adds.
"The most important thing is creating the awareness. And second, to destigmatise mental health. To let people know that it’s OK to seek help. Just like we seek help for physical ailments," Padukone continues.
"Yes, it's the invisible injuries," Meghan says.
The pair then share their journey to healing.
"There's not a single day that goes by without me thinking about my mental health. Everything I do is focused on ensuring that I don’t go back to that life," Padukone says.
"My life is filled with purpose now. It’s not just about the paycheck anymore... it's about how when I leave the earth, what is it that I can leave behind and how many lives can I impact."
"And it's about the little things," Meghan adds.
"Yes," Padukone responds. "Little things like hugging my sister or late-night conversations with my husband. Those are the things that fill me up today."
Padukone is married to Bollywood star Ranveer Singh, who is also currently one of the top actors in India.
The Decoding of Crazy episode also featured Crazy Rich Asians star Constance Wu who, earlier this year, spoke about how she attempted to take her own life after facing a torrent of criticism over less-than-enthusiastic remarks she made about her sitcom, Fresh Off the Boat, being renewed for another season. Comedian and actress Jenny Slate also appeared in the show.
Soon after its debut on August 23, Archetypes overtook The Joe Rogan Experience to become No 1 on Spotify’s US podcast chart. The first episode, which featured tennis great Serena Williams, was centred on double standards towards “ambitious” women.
Guests who have already appeared include pop star Mariah Carey, writer and actress Mindy Kaling, comedian Margaret Cho and journalist Lisa Ling.
Deepika Padukone's phenomenal rise from top model to Cannes festival juror and global star — in pictures
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Bollywood star Deepika Padukone has been named as a brand ambassador for luxury jewellers Cartier. AFP -
Padukone was also named the first Louis Vuitton ambassador from India in May, and starred in the brand's latest campaign for Dauphine leather goods. Photo: Louis Vuitton -
Padukone earlier starred in Louis Vuitton's pre-autumn 2020 campaign. Photo: Louis Vuitton -
Padukone in 2007. The Bollywood actress and one of India's biggest stars began her career as a child model. EPA -
Padukone in Dubai in 2008. She made her Bollywood debut with the 2007 film 'Om Shanti Om', appearing alongside superstar Shah Rukh Khan. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National -
Padukone at the UK premiere of 'Chandni Chowk To China' at the Empire Cinema on January 12, 2009 in London. Getty -
Padukone at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010. EPA -
Padukone walks for designer Wendell Rodricks in New Delhi in 2011. Getty -
Padukone reunited with Shah Rukh Khan in the 2013 film 'Chennai Express', which was a massive hit. Getty -
Khan and Padukone promote 'Chennai Express' in Mumbai in 2013. EPA -
Ranbir Kapoor and Padukone promote their 2013 film 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani'. The pair dated for a year after starting their relationship in 2008. AFP -
Padukone in Dubai in 2013 to promote her film 'Race 2'. Sarah Dea / The National -
Padukone at the BIG Star Entertainment Awards in Mumbai in 2013. AFP -
Padukone performs at an event at Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi in 2014. Ravindranath K / The National -
Padukone at the premiere of her film 'Happy New Year' at Dubai's Atlantis, The Palm, in 2014. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Kapoor and Padukone reunited for the 2015 film 'Tamasha'. They're seen here with director Imtiaz Ali. Getty -
Padukone arrives at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2016 at the Rotterdam Ahoy in Netherlands, in November 2016. EPA -
Padukone at the International Indian Film Academy or IIFA Awards in Madrid, in June 2016. EPA -
Padukone at the screening of 'Ismael's Ghosts (Les Fantomes d'Ismael)' at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017. Getty -
Padukone at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017. EPA -
Vin Diesel and Padukone promoting their film 'xXx: The Return of Xander Cage' in 2017. EPA -
Padukone married actor Ranveer Singh at a private ceremony in Italy in November 2018. -
Fans and photographers greeted the newlyweds at Mumbai International Airport early on November 18, 2018. AFP -
Ranveer Singh and Padukone held a reception in Mumbai following their Italian wedding in 2018. Getty Images -
The couple also hosted a reception party in Bengaluru at the Leela Palace hotel in 2018. AP -
Padukone attending the Met Gala in New York City in 2018. EPA -
Padukone was named one of 'Time' magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2018. EPA -
Padukone at the IIFA Awards in Mumbai in 2019. AFP -
Padukone at the 2019 Met Gala in New York City. AFP -
Padukone attends the Filmfare Glamour and Style Awards in Mumbai on February 12, 2019. AFP -
Padukone at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019. AFP -
Padukone wears Dior at the Christian Dior spring/summer 2020 show in Paris on September 24, 2019. Getty -
Padukone visits students protesting at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi in 2020. AFP -
Padukone received a Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2020 for her work in raising awareness of mental health. AP -
From left, Red Sea International Film Festival chairman Mohammed Al Turki, Ranveer Singh and Padukone in Jeddah in December 2021. AFP -
Ranveer Singh and Padukone promote their film '83' in Dubai. Photo: Reliance Entertainment -
Padukone and Ranveer Singh at a press conference in Dubai in December 2021, to promote their film '83'. Pawan Singh / The National -
Ranveer Singh and Padukone at the premiere of the movie '83' in Mumbai in December 2021. AFP -
Siddhant Chaturwedi and Padukone promoting their film 'Gehraiyaan' in Mumbai in February 2022. AFP -
The Bollywood star attends an event for the Hindi romantic drama film 'Gehraiyaan' in Mumbai on February 20, 2022. AFP -
Padukone on the red carpet at the Time 100 Impact Awards in Dubai in March 2022. Victor Besa / The National -
Padukone at the Louis Vuitton 2023 cruise show in San Diego, California, in May 2022. AFP
