A recent clip from India’s Got Latent, Samay Raina’s popular show, has stirred controversy after a female contestant made an insensitive comment about Deepika Padukone’s battle with depression. The clip, which quickly went viral, has caused an uproar among viewers, leading to widespread criticism of both the contestant and the panel for trivializing mental health issues.
India’s Got Latent Under Fire
India’s Got Latent, an online talent show known for its edgy humor, has garnered a significant following. However, this particular episode has put the spotlight on the fine line between comedy and the potential harm caused by reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
The episode, which aired recently, featured a comment from contestant Bunty Banerjee, who mocked Deepika’s depression. The show’s judging panel, which included comedians Tanmay Bhat and Raghu Ram, neurologist Dr. Sid Warrier, and actor Balraj Singh Ghai, did not object to the inappropriate joke.
The Offensive Joke
The viral moment came when Bunty Banerjee made a comment about Deepika Padukone’s recent experience of motherhood. Referring to her previous struggles with clinical depression, she said, “Deepika Padukone became a mom recently, right? Great, now she’ll really understand what depression feels like… I am not trying to insult breakup-wala depression, actually – I am.”
While some on the panel and in the live audience laughed, the joke was perceived as deeply disrespectful by many viewers, especially those who have dealt with mental health challenges.
Viewer Backlash and Criticism of the Panel
The incident quickly garnered backlash, with viewers pointing out how deeply inappropriate it was to make light of clinical depression. Deepika Padukone, one of the most prominent celebrities to speak openly about her struggles with mental health, has been an advocate for awareness and support for those suffering from depression. Her openness about her own battle was intended to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and mocking her experience in such a manner was seen as offensive by many.
One Reddit user commented,
“This is so exhausting. Deepika has NEVER ever claimed that her depression was a result of a break-up… Her whole point of coming out and speaking of her depression was to show that she, a person who should’ve had no reason to feel that way, went through clinical depression… this is not only unfunny but also extremely inaccurate.”
Dr. Sid Warrier’s Lack of Response Angers Viewers
The absence of any intervention from Dr. Sid Warrier, a well-known advocate for mental health, added fuel to the fire. Viewers were particularly upset to see a neurologist on the panel who did not call out the insensitivity of the joke. Some pointed out that the joke was a means of “male validation by a female comedian,” and many voiced their frustration that mental health issues were being trivialized on national television.
Deepika’s Advocacy for Mental Health
Deepika Padukone has long been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness. In 2015, she founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation to promote mental health awareness in India. She also launched the ‘More Than Just Sad’ campaign to provide resources and support for those struggling with anxiety and depression. The actress has spoken candidly about her experiences to help others understand the complexity of mental health, making this recent mockery even more harmful.
While India’s Got Latent is known for pushing boundaries in comedy, this incident has sparked a larger conversation about the responsibility of comedians, panelists, and media platforms in handling sensitive topics like mental health. Viewers continue to call for greater awareness and respect for those battling depression, stressing that jokes about such serious issues can have a lasting, negative impact.
