May not have been offered films for being depressed: Deepika Padukone

The actor, who has earlier spoken about a phase of depression that she underwent through, said: "May be there are people who haven't offered me films because they think I am depressed and I can't act...."

Padukone made the comment while stating that mental illness, like getting pregnant or having fever, should be considered a reason to get a break from the professional work.

However, the 31-year actor said she is lucky to be in a profession where she can choose her works on her own. "But I don't think everyone has that luxury of choosing when and where they want to work. So it is important for the organisations to understand that we need to treat this (mental illness) the same way as anything else.." Padukone added.

The actress even feels that mental education should be included in the curriculum of schools.

Speaking about the stigma in mental illness, Padukone said: "I think a large part of the stigma comes from the fact that in schools, we talk about physical education but we don't have nothing to talk about mental health, not one session, not a class and it is not a part of the curriculum."

"So I think if we include that in the curriculum and introduce just the idea of the importance of the mental health at a school level, there will be no stigma..." she added.

Padukone had earlier divulged in a televised show about the phase of depression that she underwent in her life.

The actor, who has already completed 10 years in Bollywood and also ventured out in Hollywood, founded an organisation The Live Love Laugh, which is platform to treat all people who undergo mental illness.

Padukone made her Hollywood debut with xXx: Return of Xander Cage, opposite actor Vin Diesel in 2017.

She will next be seen in Sanjay Leel Bhansali directorial Bollywood film Padmavati, opposite Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, which is slated to release on December 1.