Thanks to These Celebs, We’re Finally Discussing Some Real Issues

A few salute worthy revelations made by our favourite Bollywood celebrities that have sparked public debates

Deepika Padukone in a scene from Piku

With the giant smokescreen of prejudice, taboos, and judgement surrounding most important social issues in India, some of them rarely get the attention they deserve. A lot gets swept under the rug despite the fact that they’re problems we’re plagued by every day. One of the only real ways to bring serious subjects under the spotlight is if opinion leaders, public figures and important icons point to them. The voice of a public figure is an important one. It’s loud and strong when they have something significant to say. And when it comes from their personal experience, we’re all ears.

We’ve seen Bollywood personalities sparking public debates by addressing social causes, like Farhan Akhtar’s MARD campaign, or Nafisa Ali’s care home Ashray for HIV/AIDS patients. But, when celebrities really reach out and open up about issues from their own lives, the pedestal that they sit on disappears, and they become relatable to you and me. Here are a few salute worthy revelations made by our favourite Bollywood celebrities. 

Deepika Padukone’s Struggle With Depression

Deepika Padukone in a scene from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

Earlier this year, Deepika Padukone came out publicly about suffering from depression and anxiety, a bold move in a social setting where mental health issues are surrounded by stigma. As she created an honest, open environment to discuss her struggle, she not only broke down social barriers, but also dispelled many misconceptions about depression. Her open letter turned chronic depression as a mental disorder into a public conversation that educated people, and facilitated empathy in the uninitiated. She even took it one step further by setting up The Live Laugh Love Foundation in aid of people suffering from mental disorders.

Nandita Das Calls Out Skin-Colour Discrimination

Nandita Das, the dusky beauty (Photo: Reuters)

Talking about discrimination she has faced, Nandita Das embarked upon a journey to call out fairness and light skin-toned biases. While consumerism-promoting brands pushing fairness creams and other such products, the public opinion of ‘fair is beautiful’ is constantly fed by media messages, which leads to skin-colour judgements. Nandita’s ‘Dark Is Beautiful’ campaign links to her personally, and is relevant owing to her personal brush with such prejudice. Fighting the fight for darker-skinned people everywhere, Nandita aims to break down skin-colour based identities altogether, and criticises products and advertisements that promote it for commercial benefits.

Vidya Balan Tackles Beauty Myths

Vidya Balan in a scene from Bobby Jasoos

As preconceived notions regarding beauty flood media texts, certain body images are shamed for not conforming to the conventional ‘slim fit’. Vidya Balan’s honest exchange about her struggles with weight loss, owing to Bollywood’s brutal standards and rigid ideas of attractiveness, was one of the rare conversations that addressed this important issue, that effects the health and self esteem of millions. After dietary restrictions, weight loss pills and gym work outs, getting into a desirable shape became an obsession for her. As she came out to talk about her trouble with conformist beauty myths, she is now the voice tackling these myths and promoting nutrition and good health over succumbing to peer pressure regarding body images. Vidya Balan strongly advocates taking pride in your appearance and body type.

Kalki Koechlin Talks About Sex Abuse

Kalki Koechlin in a scene from The Girl In Yellow Boots

Coming out about having been sexually abused at the age of 9, Kalki brings one of India’s biggest social issues riddled with stigma - child sexual abuse, into the conversational spotlight. Her satirical viral video ‘It’s Your Fault’ addresses the taboo and conventional mindset around dealing with rape in this country, and her openly raising the topic for public discussion changes the tone of the conversation completely. Stirred by her own experiences, Kalki has even talked about her divorce in public, bringing to the table another socially ignored subject.