Deepika Padukone, born on January 5, 1986, has etched her name as one of Bollywood's leading actresses through a series of memorable roles and box office successes. Her journey in the Hindi film industry began with a debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Farah Khan's "Om Shanti Om" (2007), where she played dual roles. The film's music, including the song "Ankhon Mein Teri," became immensely popular, contributing to the film's blockbuster status.
Padukone's career saw its ups and downs in the initial years. While she received praise for her performance in "Love Aaj Kal" (2009), some of her subsequent films didn't fare well at the box office. However, she demonstrated resilience and continued to seek challenging roles that would showcase her talent.
The year 2012 marked a turning point with Homi Adajania's "Cocktail," where she played an impulsive party girl. This role was a breakthrough, earning her critical acclaim and several acting nominations. It paved the way for a string of successful films in 2013, including "Race 2," "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani," and "Chennai Express". In "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela" (2013), directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, she played a character based on Juliet, winning her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress.
Padukone continued her successful collaboration with Bhansali in "Bajirao Mastani" (2015) and "Padmaavat" (2018), both period dramas that achieved significant box office success. In "Piku" (2015), she played a headstrong architect, earning her second Best Actress award at Filmfare.
In 2017, Padukone ventured into Hollywood with "XXX: Return of Xander Cage," which grossed over $345 million worldwide. She has also produced films under her company, Ka Productions, including "Chhapaak" (2020) and "83" (2021). In 2023, she reunited with Shah Rukh Khan in the action films "Pathaan" and "Jawan," both of which became her highest-grossing Indian releases. In 2024, she starred in the action films "Fighter" and "Kalki 2898 AD".
Beyond her acting career, Deepika Padukone is also the founder of The Live Love Laugh Foundation, which promotes mental health awareness in India. She received the World Economic Forum's Crystal Award in 2018 for her work in this area.
