Deepika Padukone, currently subject to an investigation by India’s Narcotics Control Bureau, has explained to its investigators that she had intended to type the word “daal” or “dhaal”, not “maal”, in WhatsApp messages to her manager and others. She also stated that since the November 2019 software update of her smartphone, the keys “m”, “d” and “h” would sporadically interchange, causing her to misspell words on occasion. When pressed further on the matter, the actress also admitted to sometimes confusing those letters herself, even before November 2019, on account of being in a state of daze and high-headedness.
Whenever Bablu makes our evening dinner, usually at around 2.30 in the morning, he always adds too much tadka in our daal. Because of this, Ranveer and I often get dizzy and high. The same happens when he makes his mushroom dish for us. It’s magical, but it makes us feel a little unhinged. This, in turn, led to some of the typos in our group chats.
Deepika Padukone
When asked what she meant when she wrote “hash” in the same group messages, Padukone provided an equally credible answer to the NCB’s investigating officer:
That’s a very good question, sir, and I am glad you asked that, too. Ranveer has a long-term penchant for mashed potatoes. We refer to this as “mash”. Unfortunately, when typing that dreaded “m” key on my phone again, this time it came up as an “h”.
Upon hearing this explanation, the NCB’s investigating officer asked why someone would even contemplate eating dhaal and mashed potatoes together, and whether that combination were even remotely edible. To this, Padukone replied that she and her husband, as artists, were constantly experimenting with their creativity in all aspects of life. She also added that it’s “my choice”.
It’s my choice.
Upon hearing this, the investigating officer immediately closed the investigation, and apologised to the actress for having doubted her. Padukone, in turn, whilst adjusting the dupatta draped over her head, stated that she respects the intelligence of the Indian public and would never set a bad example to them by indulging in criminal activity. Most of all as a popular public figure.
Nor would she, as such a privileged individual, complain about her life when far less privileged people, struggling to survive every day, still managed to be grateful for and smile through life. Finally, she also stated that she would never accept five crore Rupees from sources alleged to be funded by the propaganda wing of Pakistan’s principal intelligence agency. Most especially to stand by – literally – anarchists seeking the destruction of India. She explained that she had the common sense and basic intelligence never to do such things.
