Before the accolades, Deepika Padukone was a national-level badminton player and a successful model. Her film debut in 2006’s Kannada blockbuster Aishwarya was a regional footnote, but it was Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om (2007) that launched her into the Bollywood stratosphere. Paired opposite Shah Rukh Khan, Padukone played the dual role of the tragic 1970s superstar Shantipriya and the reincarnated Sandy. The film’s retro aesthetics, melodramatic plot, and the chart-topping song "Deewangi Deewangi" became instant fodder for popular video compilations. Even today, clips of Padukone in a red chiffon sari, replicating yesteryear divas, remain a staple of "iconic Bollywood entrances" montages on YouTube.
(2008): A romantic drama where she played Gayatri, an independent taxi driver in Australia, showcasing a modern, progressive woman.
– In a 2025 CNBC‑TV18 interview, Deepika boldly called out Bollywood’s double standards regarding 8‑hour work shifts for women. “It is no secret that a lot of superstars, male superstars in the Indian film industry have been working for 8 hours for years and it’s never made headlines,” she said. Hours later, she was spotted at the Mumbai airport glowing and exuding “boss‑lady charm”. Before the accolades, Deepika Padukone was a national-level
Deepika's subsequent films, such as "Bachna Ae Haseeno" (2008), "Love Aaj Kal" (2009), and "Kaminey" (2009), cemented her status as a leading lady in Bollywood. Her performances in these films showcased her range and versatility as an actress, and she received critical acclaim for her portrayal of complex characters.
Beyond the silver screen, Deepika Padukone dominates video platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and global entertainment channels. Her most popular digital video categories include: 1. Iconic Music Videos The film’s retro aesthetics, melodramatic plot, and the
The turn of the decade brought a string of experimental roles with mixed box-office returns, including Karthik Calling Karthik , Housefull , and Break Ke Baad (2010). The true turning point in her artistic trajectory came in 2012 with Homi Adajania’s Cocktail . Portraying Veronica, an impulsive, emotionally vulnerable, fast-living woman, Padukone shed her conventional image. Her performance received widespread praise from critics, marking the beginning of a brand-new phase in her career. 2013: The Unprecedented "Golden Year"
: A grand historical romance where she played the warrior-princess Mastani. – In a 2025 CNBC‑TV18 interview, Deepika boldly
The turning point of her career arrived in 2012 with Homi Adajania's . Playing Veronica, an impulsive, deeply flawed, and emotionally vulnerable wild child, Padukone shattered her "pretty girl" stereotype. It was a transformative performance that earned unanimous critical acclaim and marked the beginning of her golden era.
Her portrayal of Mastani is considered one of her finest.
This remains one of the most iconic debuts in Hindi cinema history. Paired with Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika played the dual role of Shantipriya (a yesteryear actress) and Sandy (a modern girl). The song "Deewangi Deewangi" featuring the entire Bollywood fraternity remains one of the most popular videos on YouTube.