Shalini Pandey Applauds Deepika Padukone's Commitment and Mental Health Advocacy

On October 13, 2025, actress Shalini Pandey, who was recently seen in the Tamil film 'Idli Kadai', expressed her support for Deepika Padukone amid the ongoing debate around the latter's professional commitments. Shalini, who has admired Deepika since her school days, praised the 'Fighter' actress for her advocacy on mental health issues.

Addressing Deepika's recent exits from the films 'Spirit' and 'Kalki 2898 AD 2', Shalini stated that she does not know the details of what transpired, but she has "love" for Deepika, who is an "incredible actor" and a "woman who has always spoken about what she wanted to even when it comes to mental health." Shalini lauded Deepika for setting a precedent for others to be open about mental health.

Deepika had recently spoken about the need for the film industry to adopt better measures to support new mothers, including eight-hour work shifts. Her decision to step away from major projects was reportedly due to her requests for limited working hours and time to care for her daughter.

Shalini's recent release 'Idli Kadai' has received positive reviews, with critics praising its messaging on non-violence and encouraging dialogue to resolve disputes.