From being called just a ‘model face’ to becoming the face of Indian cinema on an international front, Deepika Padukone has come a long way and when better than her birthday to talk about her list of achievements?
We first saw Deepika Padukone, as ‘Dream Girl’ aka Shanti Priya in Om Shanti Om. I’m sure all of us vividly remember how she walked that red carpet with utmost poise. Winged eyeliner, a gorgeous dress, and ‘Ajab Si Adayein Hain’ playing in the background, not to forget her wave which had this Queen like vibe to it. You just knew then that a star was in the making! After her first film, she was often stereotyped as just a model because of her height or her command over the language, but she knew that she was here to stay and make a mark for herself. She worked hard, took up more movies and one day she was discovered by one of the most prolific filmmakers of the Hindi film industry, Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The two went on to make one of the most iconic trilogies in Bollywood with Ram-Leela, Bajirao-Mastani and Padmaavat. That was the era when she really got to show a side of herself as an actor that no one was ready for. She was fierce, she played her character with such conviction and more than anything, she really wanted to experiment as an actor.
Some of her other phenomenal works over the years are Chennai Express, Cocktail, Piku and Love Aaj Kal. She exuded that main character energy in all of these films and honestly just carried the story on her shoulders IMO! Then there are movies like Tamasha and Gehraiyaan, where her characters unravel the depths and layers of life. She has gone from playing a historic warrior princess, a fun girl next door, to characters that feel like soup for the soul. There’s versatility written all over her career. So there’s no doubt that she was approached for a Hollywood film soon enough and made her International debut with XXX: Return of the Xander Cage. Since then she has represented India on so many accounts be it the Met Gala or being on the jury for one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, The Cannes! The most recent feather in her cap would be unveiling the trophy at the FIFA World Cup Final.
She also brings her A-game when it comes to her fashion choices. From chic couture gowns that have often made it to the red carpet highlights to looking absolutely stunning in a simple Indian saree, she can truly make anything look good. But even though we’ve seen her in numerous outfits, nobody can adorn a Sabyasachi piece like Deepika does. She is also the house ambassador for Louis Vuitton, and it’s the first time that an Indian celebrity has been chosen for representing the world renowned brand. And if ruling the fashion world wasn’t enough, she also recently dipped her toe in the skin care and wellness world with her brand 82°E which was founded with the intention of catering to all Indian skin types. I think calling her an all-rounder would be the perfect title for her!
Being one of the leading ladies in Bollywood, she spoke about her struggle with depression and the stigma against mental health at a time where no one was really talking about it. She used her platform to promote normalizing conversations about seeking therapy and in the process of it also started her own Live. Laugh. Love Foundation. The organization has helped saved many lives and has a vast list of reliable therapists. Using your voice to help the ones in need is the sign of a person who is beautiful inside out.
A life so largely lived and so much more still on the horizon, Deepika Padukone is an unstoppable force of talent and we wish her a very Happy Birthday and nothing but the best in for her future projects!
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