Did Deepika Padukone Really Support Activist Sonam Wangchuk? The Truth Behind the Viral Screenshot

A viral screenshot suggesting that Deepika Padukone supported activist Sonam Wangchuk has sparked widespread speculation on social media. While many believe she posted and then deleted the story, a thorough review of her verified accounts reveals no evidence of such a post. As Wangchuk continues his hunger strike advocating against examination irregularities, the claims surrounding Padukone remain unverified, emphasizing the importance of fact-checking before sharing information online. Discover the full story behind this controversy and the ongoing support for Wangchuk.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 16, 2026, 10:37 IST

The Controversial Screenshot

A recent viral screenshot claiming to show an Instagram story from actress Deepika Padukone has stirred considerable buzz on social media. The image implies that Padukone voiced her support for activist Sonam Wangchuk, only to remove the post shortly after. This has led to rampant speculation, with many questioning if the actress deleted the post due to negative feedback. The purported screenshot features a reshared image of Wangchuk, along with the caption, "He's fasting. We are scrolling," and a statement asking, "Why is no one speaking about this? We are living through the darkest hour of democracy." Another segment of the alleged story states, "No matter how many films are made to glorify a failed leader, their reality remains unchanged."

As the screenshot gained traction, debates about its authenticity grew. Some users were convinced that Padukone had indeed shared the story before taking it down, while others doubted the screenshot's legitimacy. The topic quickly became a trending discussion, with one user on X commenting, "Oh my god, according to Reddit, Deepika Padukone posted a story supporting Sonam Wangchuk where she criticized the BJP but later deleted it. What could be the reason? Did Ranveer Singh make her delete the story?" This speculation only added fuel to the fire, prompting many to circulate the screenshot without verifying its truth.

However, a careful examination of Deepika Padukone's verified social media profiles shows no evidence that such a story was ever posted. There is no credible record indicating that she uploaded and subsequently removed the alleged Instagram story. Experts suggest that the screenshot might have been digitally manipulated, making the claim unfounded. Currently, there is no proof that Padukone publicly endorsed Wangchuk through the viral post, emphasizing the need to verify information before sharing unconfirmed claims.

In the meantime, Sonam Wangchuk is on the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, advocating for the Cockroach Janta Party's CJP protest against the alleged NEET UG 2026 paper leak and other examination irregularities. His declining health has raised alarms, leading to support from various public figures, including Sarah Bhaskar, Shabana Azmi, Soni Razdan, Zined Aaman, Nasiruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Abid, Omi Vya, Anurag Kashyap, and Munawar Faruqui, all urging the government to engage in dialogue. While support for Wangchuk continues to grow, the claims involving Deepika Padukone remain unverified and false, highlighting the importance of confirming the authenticity of viral posts through reliable sources.