Badminton icon Prakash Padukone has spoken about daughter Deepika Padukone's decision to publicly discuss her battle with depression, revealing that the family fully supported her efforts to raise awareness around mental health.
Speaking on The Something Bigger Show with Rodrigo Canelas, Prakash reflected on Deepika's journey, her advocacy work, and the lessons he learned about managing pressure and emotional well-being.
'We were fully supportive'Prakash said he and his wife Ujjala Padukone stood by Deepika when she decided to share her experience publicly.
"We were fully supportive. She came to us and discussed it, and we had no objections at all. If sharing her experience could help others, we felt it was a positive thing to do."
He revealed that Deepika's determination to work in the mental health space grew stronger after the loss of a friend.
"Later, after one of her friends passed away, she became even more determined to create awareness about mental health. That was when she started thinking about establishing a foundation focused on the issue."
According to Prakash, when Deepika discussed her plans with the family, they encouraged her to move forward.
"When she discussed the idea with us, we encouraged her to go ahead."
'There is no reason to feel ashamed'Prakash emphasized that mental health should be discussed openly and without stigma.
"Mental health is a serious issue, and there is no reason to feel ashamed about talking about it. If someone is in a position to help others by sharing their experience, that should be encouraged."
He believes public conversations around mental health can help many people seek support and treatment earlier.
Lessons on success, pressure and well-beingReflecting on what Deepika's experience taught him, Prakash said health must always remain a priority.
"I learned that mental and physical health must always come first. You need proper rest, a healthy diet, exercise, and ways to manage stress. Everything is connected."
He also encouraged people not to suffer in silence.
"People should not ignore signs of emotional distress. If you are struggling, talk to someone. It could be a friend, a family member, a therapist, or a professional. The worst thing is to keep everything bottled up inside because that is when problems can grow."
According to him, awareness and early intervention are key.
"Mental health issues are much more common than many people realize, and they can affect people of all ages. The earlier someone seeks help, the easier it is to address the issue."
'We are very proud of what she has done'Prakash said Deepika's contribution to mental health awareness is something that makes the entire family proud.
"As parents, my wife and I are very proud of what she has done. Many people work in areas such as education, poverty, or child welfare, but very few were focusing on mental health awareness when she began."
He believes her efforts have helped reduce stigma and increase understanding around depression and anxiety.
"Her foundation has helped create awareness and reduce stigma around depression and anxiety."
Looking at the larger impact of her work, Prakash added, "Besides being known for her acting career, I believe she will also be remembered for the work she has done in the field of mental health. Sometimes the impact of such initiatives is only fully appreciated years later, but I think she has made a meaningful difference."
