On the immensely talented and graceful actress Deepika Padukone's birthday, let's revisit her iconic characters. Here's hoping for more memorable roles from her.
It wouldn't be an overstatement to declare Deepika Padukone as one of the foremost actresses in Indian cinema today. From her tender debut in Om Shanti Om to her action avatar in Pathaan, Deepika has flawlessly embraced every role she has taken on. Lately, the actress has been venturing into commercial action flicks - first, Pathaan and now, Fighter. However, amidst these ventures, certain roles of Deepika Padukone evoke a sense of nostalgia. Most of her filmography is impressionable actually. It is diverse and most of her characters have become classics. What sets Deepika apart is her ability to breathe life into characters that are not only free-spirited and courageous but also possess a distinctive identity. While credit is due to the writers for crafting such memorable roles, it is Deepika's skilful portrayal that truly brings these characters to life.
As Deepika Padukone celebrates her 38th birthday, let's celebrate the actress and take a look back at her classic characters that we yearn to see more of!
Shantipriya - Om Shanti Om
In one of the most enchanting Bollywood debuts, Deepika portrayed Shantipriya, a Bollywood actress from the 60s. Her elegance, charm, and subtle performance were captivating and felt truly genuine in the film. It would be wonderful to see her take on a similar role once again.
Meera Pandit - Love Aaj Kal
Deepika's character, Meera Pandit, in Love Aaj Kal, was a breath of fresh air- a career-driven woman unafraid to explore life's offerings. Needless to say, Deepika effortlessly portrayed her character in the movie. Moreover, we always stan a good urban rom-com!
Veronica - Cocktail
This marked a significant shift in Deepika's acting journey. Veronica, a strong-willed free spirit, emerged as a turning point. Despite the film not giving the character the best treatment, Deepika truly shone in portraying Veronica during both carefree and self-destructive phases.
Naina Talwar - Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani
This one goes without saying. Again, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani treated Deepika’s character Naina in a sexist way. However, Deepika brought serenity to her role as a wallflower. Even after her transformation to a bolder version of herself, the Naina in her remained intact. It's a testament to her acting skills.
Leela - Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram Leela
Leela wasn't just bold and sexy; she embodied courage - the courage to defy all norms in the name of love. The character was wonderfully crafted, and Deepika made it truly unforgettable.
Angie - Finding Fanny
While not widely known, the movie received positive reviews from critics, especially for Deepika's portrayal of Angie, a widow reuniting with her love. Angie adds to the list of strong-willed women Deepika has convincingly brought to life on screen.
Piku - Piku
This is perhaps Deepika’s most loved character. Piku as a confident, frustrated, and loyal daughter and later, a charming flirt, is nothing short of loveable.
Tara - Tamasha
While I'm not a fan of the idea of women being unpaid therapists for men, I genuinely admire the character Tara and Deepika's authentic and well-suited performance in Tamasha. She smoothly shifted from being fun and assertive to revealing vulnerability in love, all while upholding her dignity.
Malti - Chhapaak
In a film she produced herself, Chhapaak, Deepika portrayed an acid attack survivor named Malti. Unlike other movies with a similar theme, Deepika's character isn't portrayed with pity or patronization; instead, she fights her battles with dignity.
This is one of Deepika's most complex characters. Alisha, portrayed by Deepika, grapples with anxiety and becomes entangled in an affair. Deepika skillfully brings out the intricacies of the character with honesty. The scene where she breaks down in front of her father is especially impressive.
Deepika Padukone brought these characters to life with finesse and in 2024, here’s hoping that we will witness more of Deepika portraying such strong and intricate roles.
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