According to a report in Indian newspaper Deccan Chronicle, the star – who plays the titular legendary 13th-14th century Indian queen – was “disturbed” by harrowing scenes in which she ends her own life.
In the legend, Rani Padmini, also known as Padmavati, and her companions committed johar.
Padukone has been open about her own mental health over the years, so it’s understandable if playing a character in that headspace took its toll.
A source told the paper: “It is not easy to play a character who has to commit suicide, or johar, as it is called.
“And when one is working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, he wants one to feel committed and feel the character all the time.”
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They went on: “Sanjay takes his time to shoot every sequence. The build up to the johar scene and the scene itself was rather elaborate.
“Deepika has already spoken about clinical depression earlier in her career. Hence, she does not want to do anything that will take her back to that space.”
Padukone had powerfully spoken out about depression in 2015, saying: “Overcoming it has made me a stronger person and I now value my life much more.
“Accepting it and speaking about it has liberated me. I have stopped taking medication, and I hope my example will help people reach out for help.”
Padukone was seen in first-look images for Padmavati last month, ahead of its release in December.
She’s also thought to be returning for xXx 4 in the near future.