Netizens Call Out Comedian For Joking About Deepika Padukone's Depression

Samay Raina’s YouTube show, India's Got Latent, has gained attention for its distinct and dark humour. However, the latest episode has sparked significant discussion online. One contestant’s remarks about depression, while in line with the show’s usual themes, led to an intense debate about the boundaries of humour and sensitivity. 

Internet Unhappy After ‘India's Got Latent’ Winner Jokes About Deepika Padukone's Depression

The latest episode featured a panel of judges including Raghu Ram, known for Roadies, and popular comedian Tanmay Bhat. However, a moment involving one of the contestants sparked significant debate online.

Contestant Bunty Banerjee, who won the prize money, made a controversial joke about Deepika Padukone's experience with depression, comparing it to her own experience of postpartum depression. The comment quickly became a talking point after snippets from the episode spread across social media platforms.

During her performance, Banerjee quipped, "Deepika Padukone also became a mother recently, right? Great. Now she knows what depression really looks like." The audience laughed, and she continued, “I am not trying to insult break-up wala depression. Actually, I am. What is breakup-related depression? Actually, depression happens when your sleep breaks and your kid wakes in the middle of the night. Jiska jiska breakup wala depression hota hai, they should go through postpartum. Sab bhool jayenge.”

Social Media Divides Over Remarks

The joke, though met with laughter in the show’s setting, prompted divided opinions online. Some users felt that comparing different types of depression was inappropriate, especially given Padukone’s openness about her battle with mental health. Others viewed Banerjee’s perspective as an honest, edgy, take on postpartum struggles.

a contestant on India's got latent trolled #DeepikaPadukone for her fake sob story which she created to defame her ex. pic.twitter.com/E2v0FxM8b2

— V🐧 (@V_for___) November 17, 2024

The entire panel should be ashamed. And to see that one of the panelist is a famous neurologist Dr Sid warrier. Shameful.

— Vighnesh Rane (@Vighrane01) November 17, 2024

The show, India's Got Latent, is known for its dark humour. The participants and panellists are often individuals who have faced personal challenges and openly share their experiences through standup, or commentary. They encourage others to speak up about their own struggles. Bunty Banerjee's jokes about her own postpartum journey were initially received as humorous, but things took a turn when she began commenting on someone else’s experience. Postpartum depression is a real challenge that many modern women face, and Deepika Padukone, like Bunty, is no exception.

When Deepika Padukone Spoke About the Reality of Postpartum Stress and Burnout

Recently, the actor opened up about feeling “stressed” and “sleep-deprived” after welcoming her daughter just last month. In a conversation about mental health with Arianna Huffington, the founder and CEO of Thrive Global, ahead of World Mental Health Day, Deepika shared her personal struggles. 

Discussing the challenges of being a new mom, she told Huffington, “When you are sleep-deprived or burnt out, the decisions that you make, and I think sometimes I can actually feel it. I know on particular days when I am feeling stressed or burnt out because I haven’t slept enough or practised my self-care rituals… I can tell that my decision-making is getting affected to some extent.”

Deepika not only opened up about her own experiences but also sought advice and offered support on topics related to motherhood and mental health awareness. She has long been an advocate for mental health, having bravely spoken about her own battle with depression early in her career, at a time when such conversations were often seen as taboo.