Deepika Padukone has become the only first Indian actor to feature on Variety's International Women Impact Report 2018. Film producer Guneet Monga is also a part of the coveted list. The Variety list honours Deepika for her contribution to cinema and philanthropic work to raise awareness about mental illness. The magazine also mentions how she withstood 'death threats and verbal abuse' that she received prior to the release of her film 'Padmaavat'. An excited Deepika also took to Twitter on International Women's Day 2018 saying, "Honoured and humbled joining these amazing achievers! Thank you Variety."

The list includes Hollywood stars like Gal Gadot, Nicole Kidman, Adele and writer-author JK Rowling. Introducing Deepika, Variety writes, "The star of the recent Bollywood blockbuster Padmaavat faced death threats and verbal abuse from various fringe groups with poise and elan. Padukone, whose father, Prakash, was a star badminton player, used to participate in the sport before becoming a model."

"She is now one of the highest-paid Indian actresses and has made the leap from Bollywood movies such as Om Shanti Om and Chennai Express to Hollywood titles including xXx: Return of Xander Cage last year in 2017. She is also philanthropically active, starting her own Live Laugh Love Foundation, which focuses on mental illness."

Here is her tweet:

Monga who also holds a place in the list heads Sikhya Entertainment and has produced 'The Lunchbox' and 'The Ashram'. The list acknowledges the works of 50 women including Miuccia Prada, Daisy Ridley, Sofia Vergara, Emma Watson, Lupita Nyong’o, Helen Mirren, Salma Hayek.

The release of Deepika Padukone starrer Sanjay Leela Bhansali was stalled many-a-time stating that the movie distorted historical facts. Protests were held in various parts of the country by Rajput Karni Sena and other fringe outfits who threatened to chop off Deepika's nose. 'Padmaavat' was released worldwide after several cuts on January 25.

In a 2015 TV interview, Deepika Padukone had revealed that she struggled with depression and later founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation on World Mental Health day the same year. The organisation is aimed at reducing the stigma around mental health and spreads awareness on it.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 08, 2018 08:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).