Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone Cannes 2018 (cropped)

Deepika Padukone is an acclaimed Indian actress and producer who has made significant contributions to the Bollywood film industry as well as international cinema. Born on January 5, 1986, in Copenhagen, Denmark, and raised in Bangalore, India, Padukone is the daughter of former badminton champion Prakash Padukone. Her journey in the entertainment industry began with a career in modeling, eventually leading to her acting debut in the 2006 Kannada film Aishwarya. However, it was her lead role in the 2007 Bollywood blockbuster Om Shanti Om, opposite Shah Rukh Khan, that catapulted her to stardom.

Early Life and Background

Deepika was born to Ujjala and Prakash Padukone, a renowned name in the world of badminton. Her family moved to Bangalore, India, when she was a year old. Deepika pursued her schooling at Sophia High School in Bangalore and completed her pre-university education at Mount Carmel College. She later enrolled at the Indira Gandhi National Open University for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with her modeling career.

Career

Modeling

Before her acting career took off, Deepika had a successful modeling career. She appeared in several television and print advertisements, gaining recognition with her Liril soap commercial and a highly popular advertisement for Kingfisher Calendar in 2006.

Acting

Deepika made her acting debut in the Kannada film Aishwarya in 2006. Her Bollywood debut came in 2007 with Om Shanti Om, for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Over the years, she has delivered several critically acclaimed performances in films such as Love Aaj Kal (2009), Cocktail (2012), Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), Piku (2015), and Padmaavat (2018). Her portrayal of Rani Padmavati in Padmaavat was particularly praised and marked one of the highest-grossing films of her career.

In addition to her work in Indian cinema, Deepika made her Hollywood debut in 2017 with the action film xXx: Return of Xander Cage, opposite Vin Diesel.

Production

In 2018, Deepika established her production company, Ka Productions. The first film under her banner was Chhapaak (2020), in which she also starred as an acid attack survivor. The film was praised for its sensitive portrayal of its subject matter and Deepika's performance.

Personal Life

Deepika is known for her advocacy on mental health issues and founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation in 2015, which aims to reduce the stigma, spread awareness, and change the way India perceives mental health. She has been open about her own battle with depression and uses her platform to encourage others to seek help.

In 2018, Deepika married actor Ranveer Singh, her co-star in several films, in a private ceremony in Lake Como, Italy.

Filmography

• Aishwarya (2006)
• Om Shanti Om (2007)
• Love Aaj Kal (2009)
• Cocktail (2012)
• Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)
• Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013)
• Piku (2015)
• Padmaavat (2018)
• Chhapaak (2020)
• xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017)

Awards and Recognition

Deepika Padukone has received numerous awards, including three Filmfare Awards. She has been listed among the country's most popular and attractive personalities and is a high-profile celebrity endorser for various brands and products.