Deepika Padukone

Deepika Prakash Padukone (pronounced d̪iːpɪkaː pəɖʊkoːɳeː; born 5 January 1986) is an Indian actress who works predominantly in Hindi films. Her accomplishments include three Filmfare Awards, and she was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time in 2018, receiving the Time100 Impact Award in 2022.

Padukone was born in Copenhagen and raised in Bangalore, and is the daughter of badminton player Prakash Padukone. She began her career as a fashion model before making her acting debut in the Kannada film Aishwarya in 2006. Her first major success came with the Bollywood film Om Shanti Om (2007), starring opposite Shah Rukh Khan, for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.

Throughout her career, Padukone has taken on many different kinds of roles. She starred in romantic comedies like Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Chennai Express and period dramas such as Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat. She has also appeared in international films, including the Hollywood action movie XXX: Return of Xander Cage (2017).

In addition to her acting, Padukone founded The Live Love Laugh Foundation to raise awareness about mental health in India. She has also been involved in fashion, investing in startups, and promoting various brands. Padukone is married to fellow actor Ranveer Singh, and they have a daughter.

Early life and modelling career

Deepika Prakash Padukone was born on 5 January 1986 in Copenhagen, Denmark, to Konkani-speaking Indian parents. Her father, Prakash Padukone, was a professional badminton player, and her mother worked as a travel agent. The family moved to Bangalore, India, when she was a year old. She attended Sophia High School and later studied at Mount Carmel College, but left university to focus on her modelling career.

As a child, Deepika was shy and spent much of her time playing badminton. She began modelling at eight years old and took it up full-time in 2004 under the guidance of Prasad Bidapa. Her big break came in 2005 when she debuted on the runway at the Lakmé Fashion Week and won Model of the Year. Her popularity grew after appearing in a 2006 Kingfisher Calendar and a music video for Himesh Reshammiya. Soon after, she began receiving offers to act in films.

Acting career

See also: Deepika Padukone filmography

Padukone began her acting career in 2006 with the Kannada film Aishwarya, directed by Indrajit Lankesh. Her performance in this romantic comedy, a remake of the Telugu film Manmadhudu, helped establish her as a rising star. Her breakthrough came with the 2007 film Om Shanti Om, where she played dual roles and received critical acclaim, winning her first major award.

Throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, Padukone took on diverse roles in films like Bachna Ae Haseeno, Chandni Chowk to China, and Love Aaj Kal. These roles showcased her versatility and ability to handle both commercial successes and critical praise.

In 2012, her role in Cocktail marked a significant turning point, earning her further recognition and awards. The mid-2010s saw her in major successes such as Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Chennai Express, and Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, cementing her status as a leading actress in Hindi cinema.

Padukone expanded her career internationally with her role in the Hollywood film XXX: Return of Xander Cage in 2017. She continued to take on challenging roles, including portraying historical figures and characters in big-budget films like Padmaavat, Chhapaak, and recent action films such as Pathaan and Jawan, which have been major box-office successes.

Personal life

Deepika Padukone values her family and often visits her hometown of Bangalore. She lives in Prabhadevi, a neighborhood in Mumbai, and practices her Hindu faith, regularly visiting temples and other religious shrines.

She dated actor Ranbir Kapoor while filming Bachna Ae Haseeno in 2008, and later began dating fellow actor Ranveer Singh in 2012. The two married in 2018 in Italy and welcomed their daughter Dua in 2024.

Off-screen work

Deepika Padukone has done many things besides acting. She has written articles, helped with women’s health and fitness magazines, and supported charities. In 2009, she wrote weekly columns for Hindustan Times and ran in a marathon in Bangalore to raise money for many helpful groups. In 2010, she helped a village in Maharashtra get electricity.

She has performed at big events, like the start of the Indian Premier League and concerts in North America. Padukone also helped support Indian athletes through the Olympic Gold Quest team. In 2022, she helped show the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the big match in Qatar. She has started her own clothing lines, served as chair of the Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image, and invested in different business projects. In 2022, she also began her own self-care brand called 82°E.

Advocacy

Deepika Padukone has spoken out about important issues like feminism and mental health. She believes that true feminism means being strong yet gentle, and she created a foundation called The Live Love Laugh Foundation to raise awareness about mental health in India. In 2020, she showed support for students who faced rough treatment during a protest, even though some people disagreed with her stand.

Padukone has also been involved in campaigns to help people dealing with depression and anxiety. She worked with Facebook and an organization called AASRA to provide tools and resources for those in need. In the same year, she joined with the Indian Psychiatric Society to launch a campaign called #DobaraPoocho to support people and survivors of depression. For her efforts, she received an award from the World Economic Forum in 2020.

In the media

Deepika Padukone is known for being a strong, disciplined, and professional actress. She has built a reputation for handling both praise and criticism with grace and always striving to improve. Her active presence on social media and her roles in films have made her one of India's most popular and high-profile celebrities.

Over the years, Padukone has been recognized for her success in acting, her brand endorsements, and her work in philanthropy. She has been listed among the most powerful people in India and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2018. Her hard work and dedication have earned her many awards and a place as one of the leading stars in Indian cinema.

Accolades

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone has won three Filmfare Awards from ten nominations. She received the Best Female Debut award for her role in Om Shanti Om in 2007. She also won Best Actress awards for her performances in Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela in 2013 and Piku in 2015. These awards show her talent and success in the world of acting.