The Kindling of Stars

The Deepika Padukone we see as perfectly successful and radiant once suffered from acute depression. This person who shook screens with blockbuster hits and extraordinary performances was, behind the screen, terrifyingly fragile.

During the very period when we were thrilled by her brilliant acting on screen, behind that screen she slept on sleeping pills, powerful antidepressant medications. She remained under regular psychiatric checkups. She was deeply suicidal by nature. She had contemplated killing herself countless times!

The famous Stephen Hawking! This infinitely brilliant man, struck by an incurable disease, lost his ability to walk. His entire body and entire life became imprisoned in a wheelchair. Everyone had given up hope on his life, hope for his survival.

Who says stars don't burn out? Who says fireflies don't lose their glow? The lamp that burns all night giving light—when its kerosene runs out, that lamp too wants to die.

The lamp that burns all night giving light—after it goes out, that lamp too needs light. The boat that saves many people from drowning—when that boat sinks, it too needs another boat to save it.

People are just like lamps, like boats. When flickering low, they need kerosene to rekindle them; when nearly drowning, someone else must pull them up.

Then light comes, the tide returns to shore. The lamp burns, the boat sails.

One day, bringing that procession of light, Ranveer entered Deepika's life. Jane entered Stephen's life as his companion shadow. The Stephen who wasn't supposed to live—that near-dead man, with his wife's support, stunned the intellectual world. With the gesture of one finger he changed so much; sitting in his wheelchair, he discovered epochal theories, essential formulas. The Deepika who once wept in secret from anguish now weeps openly from joy.
Life is just like this!

When fallen, if someone gets a helping hand to stand up, some people ignite with twice their former strength. When drowning, if someone gets a foothold to rise above water, they gain the power to run at double speed.

Life is like a camera. The camera on whose screen beautiful pictures appear—behind that camera someone stands. The lamp that blazes brightly—behind that lamp's light too lies someone else's hand.

This is how stories are made—some sink like stones, others ignite like stars.