From the badminton court to Bollywood and way beyond… Deepika’s journey is nothing less than a game changing match, says Bhavana Choudhari.
With bright, inquisitive eyes, a dazzling smile, and a couture gown gracing the red carpet, the oh-so-gorgeous reigning queen of Bollywood, Deepika Padukone, recently walked the prestigious ‘Cannes Film Festival 2022’ aisle. Deepika’s journey from being a national-level badminton player, to a successful model, to one of the highest-paid actors in the Indian film industry, has inspired millions around the world… And despite being long, arduous and full of challenges, her road to success has been nothing but fantastically beyond belief!
Beating her counterparts in every sphere – be it in the world of modelling, films, ad campaigns or getting associated with renowned brands across the world – Deepika has carved a deep and incisive niche for herself in 15 years. Nothing less than an inspiration, she has established herself as one of India’s most bankable stars. A few weeks ago, global brand Louis Vuitton welcomed Deepika into their A-list ambassador family through their latest Dauphine bag campaign. As she made her first appearance in California, it looks like 2022 is adding more fame and glory to her already fantabulous career.
Stepping Into Glam Zone
Fondly called DeePee, the actress began her journey with a few advertising campaigns and TV commercials when she was just eight years old. Her initial breaks as a gorgeous grown-up model were served up through the ‘Liril’ soap and ‘Close-Up’ toothpaste TV commercials. In no time, Deepika had several brands vying for her, and she was also chosen as Maybelline’s international spokesperson.
There was no looking back after that… she made her ramp debut at ‘Lakme Fashion Week’ and sizzled on the ‘Kingfisher Calendar’. While her modeling career was immensely successful, our lovely lady set her honeyed eyes on Bollywood – and conquered what she saw!
Today, Deepika is the face of around 15 campaigns – HP Computers, Axis Bank, Tissot, Parachute, Tanishq, Lux, Kellogg’s, Gillet women’s grooming products range and a whole lot more…
Bollywood Calling…
While she was making headlines down south through popular Kannada film ‘Aishwarya’, Bollywood’s famed choreographer-director Farah Khan spotted this gorgeous actress and gave her a tailor-made launchpad, ‘Om Shaanti Om’, with the Badshah of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan. Expectedly, the movie became a blockbuster and DeePee, the crowned queen.
This bright eyed beauty owes a major part of her success to her badminton sportstar father Prakash Padukone’s disciplined way of life which she has imbibed, and to her working mother’s mindset (she is a travel agent). A proud child, Deepika shares that there are three factors that have led to her success. “From a very young age, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to be. Second, I have very encouraging and supportive parents who never pressured me to pick a certain profession. My grandfather also allowed my father to do what he wanted.”
Padukone has a long list of movies which has seen her share screen space with superstars like Ranbir Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Farhan Akhtar, Saif Ali Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. There are movies such as ‘Love Aaj Kal’, where she essayed the role of Meera, and there is ‘Cocktail’ where she portrayed a bratty party girl Veronica, and then who can forget her essaying the role of Rani Padmavati in Bhansali’s biopic ‘Padmaavat’?!
Every single film has brought her either commercial success or critical acclaim or both, with most of her films crossing the coveted 100-crore mark. She has grown as an actor with every role, enjoying success and also taking the failures in her stride.
Last seen in ‘Gehraiyaan’, a drama on modern-day relationships that she was involved in producing too, Deepika now has a bunch of films in her kitty including ‘Pathaan’ with Shah Rukh Khan and ‘Fighter’ with Hrithik Roshan.
Love, Success & Marriage
While she has had a super successful career, her love life had been a bit of a rollercoaster ride – till she sealed the deal with Ranveer Singh on November 14, 2018. The gorgeous achievers took their wedding vows at Lake Como, Italy, in a traditional Konkani and Sindhi style wedding that had millions waiting with bated breath for their wedding picture to drop at 6 pm IST post the ceremony!
Deepika can’t help but gush about her confident husband, who she says has helped her reaffirm her belief in the “good men exist in the world” maxim. On the other hand, Ranveer is head-over-heels in love with his wife, sharing that she’s fiercely independent and meticulous. He shares, “The more I get to know her, the more I fall in love with her. She is doing things that are unprecedented for any man or woman in the entertainment world. I am truly lucky and blessed that I am her man.”
Battling Depression
Deepika, while narrating her journey on several occasions on global platforms, has been vocal about every phase she has gone through – career highs ‘n’ lows, breakups, and a phase of depression followed by months of seclusion, and eventually her phoenix-rising.
She said that she found it difficult to articulate the feeling of “emptiness and directionlessness” that she had been experiencing, describing how the mental health condition resulted in a loss of appetite and caused fatigue. But she sought help and today, she runs an NGO called Live Love Laugh (LLL). The Foundation combines knowledge and domain expertise to create awareness about mental health, reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, and provide credible mental health resources.
Hollywood & The International Stage Beckons…
Deepika made her Hollywood debut opposite Vin Diesel in the 2017 film ‘XXX: Return of Xander Cage’. Reportedly, she will soon start working on a Hollywood rom-com. This year, as already mentioned, the stunning actress represented India as a Jury member at the prestigious ‘Cannes Film Festival 2022’. Giving fabulous fashion goals to her fans, she bedazzled in every single outfit that she wore for the event!
The latest international feather in her cap is her entry into French luxury house Louis Vuitton. The brand recently named actress-turned-producer Deepika Padukone as its first-ever Indian brand ambassador. The move comes two years after Padukone became the first Indian actor to feature in a campaign for the label where she was seen posing with international celebrities including French actor Léa Seydoux and English actor Sophie Turner. This stupendous association speaks of her phenomenal popularity across the globe!
Giving Back
Besides her flourishing career, among the many philanthropic activities that she pursues, Deepika has adopted a Maharashtrian village, aiding it with proper electricity and water supply. Never afraid to voice her support for various social causes confidently, she says, “New age feminism is not about being aggressive; it’s about reaching the top, yet being soft. It’s about being you, feminine, strong and full of willpower.”
We have only love and respect for this girl!
Image Credits: Google