Deepika Opens Up on Her Darkest Battle ' I Didn’t Want to Live'

Life is like a rollercoaster full of highs and lows, twists and turns. For Bollywood star Deepika Padukone, one of the toughest rides of her life was her battle with depression. During the 8th edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025, a program led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help students cope with exam stress, Deepika shared her personal struggle with mental health. She encouraged students to open up about their fears and never keep their problems bottled up.

Deepika spoke about the immense pressure students face and the fears that come with it. She urged them to talk to their parents, friends, and teachers instead of suffering in silence. Recalling her own journey, she shared how everything seemed fine until 2014 when she suddenly felt lost and empty. Living alone in Mumbai, she didn’t realize she was suffering from depression until one day, during her mother’s visit, she broke down completely. It was the first time she expressed her pain, telling her mother that she had lost all hope. Her mother’s advice led her to seek professional help, a decision that changed her life.

She also highlighted how mental health is often ignored or misunderstood in society. "Many people around us struggle silently because they look fine on the outside. But the truth is, depression and anxiety run deep. The moment I shared my pain, I felt lighter. Talking about it is the first step to healing," she said. Deepika emphasized that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but of strength, encouraging students to be open about their struggles.

Just like every night is followed by a new dawn, Deepika believes that mental health challenges can be overcome with awareness, support, and the courage to speak up. She hopes that by sharing her journey, more people will break the silence around mental health and embrace the help they deserve.