TIL Desk Bollywood/ As multiple Bollywood films are celebrating how weaknesses can be turned into strengths, leading actor Deepika Padukone says it is important for celebrities to use their place of influence and power to bring about change in society. “I think it is extremely important for those who are in positions of influence or power to bring about social change. It is extremely important for them to speak up about whatever issue it might be,”said Deepika.
Of late, film actors and filmmakers are attempting storylines which have a strong underlying message that can bring change in society. The latest example is Rani Mukerji’s Hichki, which talks about how a woman with Tourette Syndrome, a neuropsychiatric disorder, makes it her strength and becomes a teacher.
Deepika, one of Bollywood’s top-earning actors, believes people can see if you do not have genuine connect or if it is not authentic. “For many years, people always said, ‘You know you are successful, you should do work in social sectors as well or associate with an NGO’. There were so many options (for me), but I didn’t feel like I was being honest to them. It didn’t come naturally to me until I came across mental health, also because of my personal experience,” said the actor.
