Recently, the illustrious Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone was seen casting her vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha Election, and much to the delight of her fans, she proudly displayed her baby bump. However, this heartwarming public appearance soon took an unexpected turn when a section of social media users began trolling the actress, even going so far as to accuse her of faking the bump. This controversy ignited a heated debate, with several stars coming forward to voice their support for Deepika.
Deepika Padukone, widely recognized for her stellar performances and usually maintaining a low profile in her personal life, surprised her fans with the joyous news of her first pregnancy with husband Ranveer Singh. Since the announcement, Deepika had been keeping a low profile, making very few public appearances, which only heightened the anticipation among her fans for a glimpse of the mommy-to-be. It was this voting day appearance that truly brought her pregnancy to the spotlight and yet, also invited unwarranted scrutiny and criticism from certain netizens.
As news and videos of Deepika’s outing went viral, reactions poured in from all corners. Many fans expressed their admiration and happiness, with comments like “The man who respects her definitely earns her,” and “OMG my baby mama is there.” One fan even remarked, “Kitna pyar hai dono me aur bol rahe the divorce hone wala hai,” addressing rumors of a rift between the couple. Unfortunately, amidst the flood of supportive comments, there were also negative remarks questioning the authenticity of her pregnancy bump and shaming her for what should have been a joyful public appearance.
In a significant turn of events, renowned journalist Faye D’Souza took a strong stand against the trolls. She took to Instagram to criticize those belittling Deepika, urging people to behave and highlighting that the actress was merely performing her civic duty by voting. Faye pointed out the absurdity of the situation, noting that Deepika had neither sought anyone’s approval nor their comments on her personal life. She defended the actress’s right to a private family life while also fulfilling her responsibilities as a citizen.
This bold stance by Faye D’Souza garnered overwhelming support from various quarters, notably from fellow Bollywood star Alia Bhatt.
. Alia, known for her own grace both on and off-screen, voiced her support by liking Faye’s post. This public display of solidarity was not just about one actress supporting another; it was a powerful message against the culture of shaming women, especially during such sensitive periods as pregnancy. Joining Alia in this supportive gesture were other prominent personalities like her mother Soni Razdan, Rakul Preet Singh, Sonakshi Sinha, and Bhumi Pednekar.
As more and more stars lent their voices to the cause, it became evident that the Bollywood fraternity was unified in its stance against any form of shaming or trolling of its members. The event also shone a spotlight on the broader issue of how public figures, particularly women, are often subjected to undue scrutiny and harmful criticism, often based on baseless rumors and judgments.
Besides this public ordeal, Deepika continues to shine professionally. Her recent cinematic endeavor, ‘Fighter,’ where she starred alongside Hrithik Roshan, has been creating quite a buzz. Looking ahead, fans can look forward to her role in an exciting lineup of projects, including ‘Kalki 2989 AD’ with Prabhas, and the much-anticipated Hindi remake of ‘The Intern,’ where she will share the screen with the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. Additionally, Deepika will also be seen in Rohit Shetty’s cop-universe with the film ‘Singham Again,’ a star-studded project that also features Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and, of course, Ranveer Singh.
‘Singham Again,’ the third installment of this iconic franchise, promises high-octane action and drama, and is scheduled for a grand release in theaters on Independence Day in 2024. This robust lineup of professional commitments underscores Deepika’s ability to balance her personal joys and professional responsibilities adeptly.
As Deepika Padukone navigates through this joyous phase of her life, it is heartening to see the camaraderie and support within the film industry. The solidarity from peers like Alia Bhatt not only fortifies the individual being trolled but also sends a broader message advocating for respect and sensitivity towards everyone’s personal life choices. It serves as a reminder that while the public may admire and enjoy a star’s professional work, there is a line that should not be crossed into their personal lives – a tenet that is now being echoed more vocally by the Bollywood fraternity.
