Woman ‘jokes’ about Deepika Padukone’s depression, fans irked as Tanmay-Samay laugh

India’s Got Latent, the YouTube comedy show which judges comedians for their out-of-the-box comic skills, might just be under fire for a recent incident. Turns out a contestant on the show mocked actor Deepika Padukone’s depression during a skit, while the judges kept laughing. The clip of the video is now going viral on social media, triggering angry reactions from people. Many have highlighted how belittling someone’s struggle with mental health, and making a joke out of it on the show wasn’t funny.
Among the judges who couldn’t control their laughter were Samay Raina, who’s also the creator of the show, Tanmay Bhat, Raghu Ram, neurologist Dr Sid Warrier and Balraj Singh Ghai. The clip which is going viral shows a female contestant named Bunty Banerjee referring to the birth of Deepika and Ranveer Singh’s daughter, Dua Padukone Singh.
The comedian first said, “Deepika Padukone also became a mother recently, right? Great, now she knows what depression really looks like (sic),” inviting laughter from Samay, Tanmay, Raghu and others on the judges’ panel. Tanmay also covers his face with his hands, then when Samay goes almost rolling on the floor laughing, he starts to appreciate the ‘joke’.
The contestant went on to say: “I am not trying to insult breakup-wala depression”, quickly adding, “I am”.
A Reddit user commented to highlight how Deepika’s battle with depression resonates with people. The comment read, “Deepika was one of the first mainstream actresses who talked loudly about depression. I remember when she spoke about it I felt seen! Many don’t understand that, irrespective of how good things are going, it’s hard to control how you feel (sic).”
Another user mentioned how it’s more disturbing to see a woman disrespecting another woman’s struggle. The comment read, “Making fun of someone’s clinical depression is disgusting, but it’s even worse coming from a woman, all in the name of comedy. The lengths some people go to for male validation are truly pathetic. And what does she mean by ‘now she knows what real depression looks like now that she’s a mother’? Does she think postpartum depression is a joke? (sic).”
Another user wrote about people who don’t express their battles with depression in public, fearing the same kind of judgement and mockery. “I get that it’s supposed to be a “joke”. But we live in a country where mental health is still a huge taboo and a large section of people don’t take it seriously. These kinds of jokes just make things worse and a step back for all those people working hard to bring awareness. Sorry but I don’t think we’re ready for such tasteless jokes (sic),” the comment on the post read.
Deepika first spoke about her condition in 2015 while launching The Live Love Laugh Foundation, which helps people fighting mental health issues. She spoke on many national and international platforms, urging everyone not to fear criticism and come forward with their side of the story. She also advocated taking medical help while going through clinical depression and not suffering any more.
Deepika gave birth to a girl last month. She is currently taking a break from work.