[ARTICLE]Deepika talks anxiety and depression, about her personal experience and on mental health.

‘EVERY MORNING, IT WAS A STRUGGLE TO WAKE UP’ Deepika Padukone

Having suffered from anxiety and depression, opens up about her personal experience, and why is it important to take up the cause of mental health

I suffered from lack of concentration and broke down often. — Deepika Padukone, actor

 In early 2014, while I was being appreciated for my work, one morning, I woke up feeling different. A day earlier, I had fainted due to exhaustion; it was all downhill from there. I felt a strange emptiness in my stomach.

I thought it was stress, so I tried to distract myself by focusing on work, and surrounding myself with people, which helped for a while. But the nagging feeling didn’t go away. My breath was shallow, I suffered from lack of concentration and I broke down often. Over a period of time, it got worse. When my parents visited, I would put up a brave front because they were worried about me living alone and working long hours.

Then, once, while talking to my mother (Ujjala Padukone), I broke down. She realised the problem, and got in touch with a psychologist friend, Anna Chandy, to get to the root of the cause.

Every morning, it was a struggle to wake up, and shoot for Happy New Year’s (HNY; 2014) climax. Finally, I had a word with Anna aunty. She flew to Mumbai from Bengaluru, and I talked my heart out to her. She concluded that I was suffering from anxiety and depression.

When she suggested I take medication, I was resistant. I thought talking was enough. Later, I met another psychologist, Dr Shyam Bhatt, in Bengaluru for a second opinion.

There were days when I would feel okay, but at times, within a day, there was a roller-coaster of feelings. Finally, I accepted my condition. The counselling helped, but only to an extent. Then, I took medication, and today I am much better.

Most of HNY was shot through this phase. But before starting my next with Shoojit Sircar, I took a two-month break to recover mentally and physically. I spent time with my family in Bengaluru and was soon better. But, when I returned to Mumbai, I heard about a friend committing suicide due to anxiety and depression. It was a huge blow.

Overcoming depression has made me a stronger person. I now value my life much more. —Deepika Padukone, actor

 My personal experience as well as my friend’s death urged me to take up this issue, which isn’t usually talked about. There is shame and stigma attached to talking about depression. In fact, one in every four people suffer from anxiety and depression. The World Health Organisation has stated that this will be the most widespread epidemic in the next few years. We talk about all kinds of aliments, but this is probably one of the deadliest mental disorders. Nothing, including life, makes sense to people suffering from it. Overcoming it has made me a stronger person and I now value my life much more. Accepting it and speaking about it has liberated me. I have stopped taking medication, and I hope my example will help people reach out for help.

I feel that at times, the patient just wants to talk, and isn’t seeking advice. But, well-wishers saying things like, ‘Don’t worry, it will all be alright,’ might be detrimental. Being sad and being depressed are two different things. Also, people going through depression don’t look so, while someone sad will look sad. The most common reaction is, ‘How can you be depressed? You have everything going for you. You are the supposed number one heroine and have a plush home, car, movies… What else do you want?’ It’s not about what you have or don’t have. People talk about physical fitness, but mental health is equally important. I see people suffering, and their families feel a sense of shame about it, which doesn’t help. One needs support and understanding.

I am now working on an initiative to create awareness about anxiety and depression, and help people. My team is working with me to formulate a plan, which will be unveiled soon.

 

Source- HindustanTimes Epaper

[ARTICLE]Deepika Padukone: What makes her the top actress

01

Sense of charity: Deepika Padukone will be making a special visit to her school for a fund-raiser event. Deepika was born and brought up in Bangalore and went to the Sophia High School. The actress was approached by her school a month ago with a request to be a part of their event. She had a brief conversation with the faculty where they shared details of the event. The school has organised a big scale event to raise funds to build a new wing in the school. The school will also be expanding and providing better facilities and amenities to students. Deepika immediately confirmed her presence and requested her team to ensure her dates can be worked out as she was very keen to visit her school. She has been in the middle of a busy schedule as she is shooting for Piku but she accommodated this on a priority basis.

02

Different cinema: Deepika Padukone who has received great success in commercial cinema has always experimented with different roles and doesn’t restrict herself to commercial cinema. Deepika has done commercial films like Chennai Express, Cocktail, Ram Leela and is going to be part of an interesting film called Finding Fanny. The trailer of Homi Adajania’s next titled Finding Fanny has got an overwhelming response. It has garnered over a million views in just 22 hours. Producer Dinesh Vijan says, “Finding fanny is a film that needed the support of the online community and we are overwhelmed with the response to our trailer people especially the youth, are loving the 5 odd ball characters and embracing the madness that they bring.” “I absolutely love this film”, says director Homi Adajania of Finding Fanny, which stars Deepika Padukone and Arjun Kapoor.

03

Renowned directors want to work repeatedly with her: Deepika Padukone starts shooting with Imtiaz Ali for Tamasha in Corsica, France. Deepika has come together with the ace writer – director for the second time, the first one being Love Aaj Kal in 2009. Imtiaz who usually does not prefer to repeat his female cast has however made an exception with Deepika. Infact, Deepika has been repeated by most of her directors. She made a roaring debut with Om Shanti Om, six years ago. After all this while when Farah was making her next romantic film she could not think of anyone else to cast but Deepika Padukone. Even Homi Adajania who had his first outing with Cocktail signed Deepika for his next. Even though Finding Fanny is a very different film from Cocktail, he was sure Deepika would convincingly deliver this side of the spectrum as well. Deepika will also be seen working with Sanjay Leela Bansali after Ram Leela. Sanjay Leela Bansali, who has a gracious way of making his heroines look, has cast her for the role of Mastani. A director repeating an actor is a huge compliment. It is a show of confidence. Says Deepika “I am fortunate I get to work with some of the best directors in Bollywood not just once but multiple times.”

 

04

Commitments: Deepika Padukone has been busy prepping for her upcoming films namely – Tamasha, Piku and Bajirao Mastani.While she was in the city for a couple of days, Deepika was in a hectic shooting schedule. Deepika was shooting for 14 – 15 hours every day for her brand shoots.The ace actor will soon start shooting for her next film Tamasha with Ranbir Kapoor, directed by Imtiaz Ali. It is about a month long shooting schedule in the South of France. Deepika wanted to ensure she wraps up all her brand commitments before she leaves for the shoot. She was working extra hours to ensure she manages to wind up everything on her work front. Tamasha will be a long shooting schedule and hence she did not want her brands to wait for that long. Deepika is currently leading the brand circuit with 16 – 17 brands in her kitty. Besides her brands she also allotted time for wrapping up some pending shooting for her films – Happy New year and Finding Fanny.The actor was working long hours but has zero complains about the same.

05

International fans: While Deepika was travelling with her parents in the US and Europe, the pretty actress was in for a pleasant surprise. Deepika Padukone, who was out of the country prepping for the line-up of films she kickstarts now; Imtiaz Ali’s next with Ranbir Kapoor, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next with Ranveer Singh and Piku, was approached by a lot of foreigners there to click photographs with her. So, it was not just the NRI’s and the other Indians who wanted to be clicked with the pretty actress, but also others like the Japanese, Africans, Germans etc. The actress whose popularity is not limited to boundaries happily posed with all those who approached her to share a picture moment with her while she was there. Deepika will start shooting for her next film Tamasha with Ranbir Kapoor, directed by Imtiaz Ali. It is about a month long shooting schedule in South of France.

 

06

Promising actress: Deepika Padukone got success with her entry opposite Shahrukh Khanin Om Shanti Om. The actress too went through a downfall in her career where her films failed. However, Dips worked on her role and her looks and made a special place for herself. The actress also experiemented with roles like Cocktail where she essayed a grey character.

[INT]”French cinema is as beautiful as Indian cinema” – Deepika

Deepika Padukone is ready to work in films beyond Bollywood, but she is not gunning for Hollywood. The versatile Indian actress is instead, keen to do a French or Iranian film, and she has even identified directors she would like to work with.

“I think French cinema is as beautiful as Indian cinema and like I said before, I don’t think the medium matters as much as the story and the script. If I find something exciting, I would do it,” the 28-year-old said here Wednesday at the 16th Mumbai Film Festival.

“‘Priceless’ is one of my most favourite French films. I have watched some Iranian films as well. I do like some directors and I have identified some directors I would like to work with,” she added.

Deepika is currently busy promoting her mega commercial venture “Happy New Year”, which hits theatres Oct 24.

Directed by Farah Khan, it also stars Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood and Vivaan Shah.

Source

[INT]”I have no perspective on what it is like to be Deepika Padukone” – Deepika

DC | Mehul S. Thakkar | October 16, 2014, 12.10 pm IST

Deepika Padukone

Mumbai: Deepika Padukone has just returned from the SLAM world tour, and is now neck-deep in promotions for Happy New Year. Despite the whirlwind pace of her work, Dippy sat down for a candid chat with us.

Today, are you aware of the impact Brand Deepika has? The global audience went mad with your entry during the concerts… 

(Laughs) The only thing that I was thinking when I was up there, making the entry, is that I hope I don’t fall down. Yes, I could hear the entire stadium shouting my name but I have no perspective on what it is like to be Deepika Padukone. I don’t know what she is like. (Pauses) I can never articulate this, I’ve made it very complicated.

Try again…

(Thinks awhile) Okay, basically, I will never know what it is like to be me. Is it a great feeling the love and appreciation from the global audience? Yes it is. But I will never know what all this is from an outside perspective. I would be lying if I tell you that I am not aware of it, but I wouldn’t know the magnitude of it. Maybe I don’t want to know.

The video in which you and Ranbir were dancing in Corsica, was that an act for the local crowd?

No, they were all dancers who were part of that sequence. It was an emotional moment and the dancers started crying and feeling sad as it was a schedule wrap for Tamasha. That’s the disadvantage of the movie business. We have to move on. They don’t understand our language but they were attached to us. I was emotional too.

Ranbir Kapoor was doing a Dev Anand jig…

(Smiles) It’s related to the film.

Coming to Happy New Year, your accent is again the talking point, was this one easier to pull off?

I know the accents are coming back-to-back and it’s not about being easy or difficult. I think we should like Meenalochini’s character (from Chennai Express) for what it was and allow Mohini (from HNY) to have her own journey. If I may say so, Meenama’s accent has become iconic, especially the bakwaas dialogues. I hope I’ve been able to do something special in HNY.

Mohini in ‘Happy New Year’

Her iconic dialouge from ‘Chennai Express’

Did you have to put in a lot of effort for the ‘Lovely’ song given that it was going to be your promo shot?

Yes and I had to rehearse all the steps for a week. After my first day, I realised that if I have to do this song, I need to have more stamina. Also, my stomach was showing so I had to eat certain kinds of food before we actually started shooting.

In between travelling and film shoots, how do you stay connected with your parents in Bengaluru?

When I sign a film, I only tell them about the signing, then I give them updates about the shoot. I never tell them the story and I make them watch the film because I would like them to see it as the audience. I get honest feedback from them.

Any words of advice from Prakash Padukone?

My father taught me that you could be the most successful person in the world, you can have all the money but what you have to be, is a good human being.

Source

“I will be shooting for Tamasha in January and February,Bajirao Mastani in March 2015”-Deepika

Xclusive- Deepika talks about Bajirao Mastani, Tamasha, Katrina & more

October 15, 2014 0

In part 2 of an exclusive interview with us, Deepika Padukone talks about Piku, Bajirao Mastani, Tamasha, Box Office Success, Katrina Kaif, Awards and lots more. Have a look

Q. Tell us something about your upcoming projects.

Deepika- I am doing Piku with Amitji and Shoojit Sircar, Then there is Tamasha with Imtiaz Ali and I am also doing Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani. I am done shooting half of Piku. After I am done promoting Happy New Year, I will start shooting for Piku and by December I should be done with Piku. I will be shooting for Tamasha in January and February. We have already wrapped up one schedule of Tamasha. From March I start shooting for Bajirao Mastani. We will be shooting for Tamasha in India now.

Q. Finding Fanny on one side and Happy New Year on the other. So how do manage shooting for two films of different genres?

Deepika- This year is very interesting for me and every year gets more and more interesting for me. Last year I did four films and this year I am doing two completely different films. One is a complete commercial masala film and other is a English film. Next year a lot of films are based on my Character. Be it Piku or Bajirao Mastani.

Q. What matter to you the most? Box Office success or Critical acclaim.

Deepika- Box office success matters to me a lot but at the same time even critical acclaim matters. I have worked with people who say let the critics go to hell, it is the people who will watch the film. Let me tell you even these guys feel bad when they read the bad reviews. For me I am an actor and I feel both things are necessary. I would like to deliver hit films and want the producers to make money but at the same time my performances should also be appreciated. I feel a film is a success when it has repeat value. A successful film is a film which people would like to watch 10 years later.

Q. Do you feel the pressure to give 100 crore film’s at the box office?

Deepika- Absolutely not. I never choose film thinking that the film will do 100, 200 or 300 crore. That’s wrong if you do a film with that reason. For me Box Office at that level is not important. I sign a film to enjoy the film, my character and to have fun on the sets. We never thought Ram Leela will make 100 crore. It did that kind of business because people liked it. We won filmfare award and did 100 crore too. I don’t choose projects for actors and directors. I think a film should be done for the script and character.

Q. Do awards matter to you?

Deepika- Yes they do matter to me. If I had a year like last year where I did four films and I don’t win a award I would feel really bad. Everybody say that awards are rigged and just for Trp and stuff like that but end of the day the person who goes and collects the award feels really good about it. Awards are a sign of appreciation and a sign of your hard work.

Q. Actresses are paid less than the actors in our industry so what is your take on that?

Deepika- If you are comparing it to what the guys make it is very less. If you compare it with what the girls used to get and what the girls are getting now there has been a major shift in the last one. Films cannot be made without heroine. We all love cinema and hence I feel we should not get into this negativity. In the process of money we are losing the positivity in cinema. Now it has become a very formal process of film making since the entry of corporate. So I think we should make films with heart. For me love and appreciation I get from fans is the most valuable thing for me.

Q. Any actor you would like to work with?

Deepika- I would love to work with Hrithik Roshan.

Q. How proud do you feel that you are not treated as a eye candy in the films like many other actresses?

Deepika- What exactly are you trying to say. Can you give a reference point?

Q. Like Katrina Kaif in Jab Tak Hai Jaan or Dhoom 3?

Deepika- According to her she has worked very hard no for the film (Smiles). So how can you call her a show piece. I am trying to say the hard work and the effort is the same. Being a heroine is not easy at all. Every role has a lot of hard work. I can’t comment on other people’s choice of roles. Something I don’t like will be liked by somebody else. I have done films including my flop films like Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se, Break K Baad, Lafangey Parindey they are all character driven film. People remember a character only if a film does well.

http://www.talkingmoviez.com/xclusive-deepika-talks-about-bajirao-mastani-tamasha-katrina-more/

[INTERVIEW] My heart belongs to cinema

She came, she saw, she conquered. It’s clearly going to be a very Happy New Year for Deepika Padukone.

If looks could kill, the audience would be dead. Dressed in black, with red lipstick and red nail polish, Deepika Padukone looks striking. She is in Chennai with the film crew to promote her upcoming Farah Khan film Happy New Year, and exudes all the charm of her on-screen character Mohini.

The fact that she remembers that I have interviewed her before is self-assuring, as I sit down all geared up to shoot a few questions before I run out of my allotted minutes. Om Shanti Om to Happy New Year and back to Farah Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, it must feel like a homecoming after seven years. “Well, though I have done a film with Shah Rukh in between this, working on Happy New Year brings back memories of Om Shanti Om, my first movie, simply because of the way they were protective about me. Not coming from a film background, I have learnt everything here. And it’s only when I sit down for interviews like this do I realise that it’s been seven years. I have so much to learn and to do still!”

The cameraman walks in and begins clicking feverishly. A little peeved, she asks him to click after the interview is done.

We talk of Brand Deepika. “Everything I do — be it films, ads or endorsements — is all because of my films. The films have made me, and the brands know that I bring some value to them. However, the characters in the movie leave a lasting image on the minds of people and this is what brands work on. And if I can make that lasting impression or make a difference, why not?”

Shantipriya, Gayatri, Meera, Shonali, Aaliyah, Veronica, Naina, Angie — the list of characters Deepika has played. Which is closest to her heart? “Naina Talwar,” she says, instantly. “Very rarely do you come across a character that you identify with. I identified with her back story and her journey and that’s why she remains closest to my heart.”

In Happy New Year, Deepika is bar dancer Mohini. How did she prepare for it? “Fortunately,” she says, “I had seen a few movies on bar dancers, but you don’t want to typecast it; you want to do it differently. I am lucky that a large part of my character is in the writing itself. For the body language, Farah and I sat together. You also need to be true to the moment. And as far as challenging goes, it was only the initial part that was difficult. Once I bit into it, I was able to enjoy it.”

In Finding Fanny, critics and audiences found Deepika’s acting beautifully natural. Would she rather do more such roles or does she prefer masala movies? “I don’t like to classify voices as masala or other types. For me, the effort I put into a film whether it’s Finding Fanny or the masala movies is the same. I enjoy both, depending on the character and what I like at that point.”

How could I end without touching upon the huge cleavage controversy? But Deepika doesn’t bite: “The more I talk about this, the more meanings will be drawn. I have made my point and I think it’s best to leave it like that.”

But if there’s one thing she will want on screen or off screen, what would it be? “Respect,” she says, “It’s what all women want.”

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/article6471387.ece

[ARTICLE] Deepika Padukone to lead ‘Bend the Rules’ campaign

Express News Service | New Delhi | Posted: October 2, 2014 12:01 pm

HP India today launched its new ‘Bend the Rules’ campaign featuring brand ambassador, Deepika Padukone. The campaign celebrates how millennials in India ‘Bend the Rules’ by taking the unconventional road to success.

Millennials strive for success at an early age using the power of technology. HP is inviting them to share their stories by uploading a video on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube using the hash-tag #BendTheRules, of how they have bent the rules to achieve success. A winning entry from India will get a chance to share their inspiring story with a larger audience through a short film which will be aired on Bindass, a popular youth entertainment TV channel in India.

“India has one of the youngest populations in the world, and through the #BendTheRules campaign, we are highlighting the ideas and philosophies of this generation,” said Lloyd Mathias, head of marketing, Printing and Personal Systems, HP India. “Keeping millennials’ needs in mind, HP has a range of stylish, yet productive notebooks, tablets and hybrid devices that will enable them to go that extra mile.”

Deepika Padukone, brand ambassador for HP India is associated with this campaign. As someone who decided to pursue acting and leave behind a promising badminton career, she is familiar with treading the unconventional path to success.

“India is full of creative and innovative young minds that believe in doing things differently,” said Deepika Padukone. “I am excited to be part of the HP’s #BendTheRules campaign as it provides a great opportunity for the youth of this country to showcase their talent and the different ways in which they have achieved success.”

Also featuring in the campaign is the HP Pavilion x360, a value-packed convertible PC, which easily converts from notebook, to stand, to tent, to tablet mode. With optimized touchscreen performance and BeatsAudio™, the device is idealfor the productivity and entertainment needs of consumers.

The campaign is spread across multiple platforms including television, print, digital, social media, out of home, webisodes and Vine videos.

Source: http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/deepika-padukone-to-lead-bend-the-rules-campaign/

[PICS]Deepika’s SLAM team Press Conference – Houston

[INTERVIEW] Deepika: ‘Shweta should not be looked down upon’

[INTERVIEW] I feel awkward at social gatherings: Deepika Padukone

It was refreshing to see this poised lady in a carefree mood; cracking jokes with the media personnel. In a candid interview with india-forums.com, Deepika Padukone shares it all.

Friday, September 12, 2014   |  Copyright: India-forums.com/Bollywood  |

After churning out hits after hits last year, Bollywood’s current ‘Queen Bee’ Deepika Padukone is all set for her first release of 2014 with Homi Adajania’s quirky comedy ‘Finding Fanny’. It was refreshing to see this poised lady in a carefree mood; cracking jokes with the media personnel. In a candid interview with india-forums.com, Deepika Padukone shares it all.

Tell us about your role ‘Angie’?

I play ‘Angie’ who is young widow who helps Nasir Sir’s character find his love ‘Fanny’. She is born and brought up in Goa and loves to stay in her own world. She has accepted certain facts about her life and believes in going with the flow.

This is your second venture with Homi Adajania after ‘Cocktail‘, tell us about him.

He is my number 1 favorite director. With ‘Cocktail‘ he discovered something as an actress in me which nobody did before him. I like to believe that, we are on the same page as far as stories are concerned we understand and trust each other immensely.

How was the experience working with veterans like – Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia?

They are an institution in themselves. So to get a chance to share a frame with such superb talents was an honor but at the same time Arjun and I never got pressurized by it. On the other hand they made us a part of their team and treated equally. Arjun and I feel blessed to get to know these actors on-screen as well as off-screen because of this film.

Were you skeptical about working in a multicast movie like this?

For a film like ‘Finding Fanny’ you need 5 people as the script demands it. It is about this group of people going on a journey to look for Fanny. All of us were comfortable with the roles given to us and never felt insecure about anyone else’s role. Homi casts us for the actors we are and not for the stars we are! He treated us all equally.

This is your second film with Dimple Kapadia too, so how was your bond with her?

She is definitely one of my favorite human beings. We bonded during ‘Cocktail‘ itself. She took me shopping for my new house, we had lunch together and we connected beautifully as women. She is an emotionally strong woman and we had formed a mutual admiration club where she admires me and vice versa.

Was it difficult emoting in different language?

Like we say love is a universal language, same way, even cinema is a universal language. If you connect with the character and the audience, language doesn’t matter at all. It was not difficult but certainly we felt odd during first few days but then you get used to hearing yourself acting in a different language.

After your back to back hits at box office, do you feel confident of Finding Fanny’s success too?

Actors are the least confident people. Personally I am socially awkward but I can say it’s improving. I feel awkward at social gatherings. Like any other actor, no matter how many hits you had earlier, I feel jittery before my every film releases.

What was the response you received from your colleagues?

We invited Mr.Bachchan for the screening of this movie and he liked it very much. After the movie was over, he patted Arjun and me on the back and said, ‘these are the kind of films I would like to do and I really have to learn from you all’. Such a big compliment coming from him was the biggest high for us. It was very encouraging for us.

Gayatri Kolwankar

Source: http://www.india-forums.com/bollywood/starry-takes/46289-i-feel-awkward-at-social-gatherings-deepika-padukone.htm