Top 10 Coolest Things About Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone is known for starring in both huge, popular movies and critically acclaimed, character-focused films, achieving international recognition that few Indian actors have. Here are ten notable facts about her work in film – including record-breaking releases, awards, and important career decisions – followed by one key accomplishment that highlights her global success.

‘Om Shanti Om’ (2007) – A debut that became a phenomenon

Farah Khan’s film marked Deepika Padukone’s debut in a dual role alongside Shah Rukh Khan, becoming one of the year’s biggest Bollywood hits. Her performance won her several ‘best newcomer’ awards. The popular music and the film’s unique structure, featuring a movie within a movie, helped it reach audiences across India. This success quickly established Deepika as a top choice for leading roles in major films.

‘Chennai Express’ (2013) – Shattered contemporary box-office benchmarks

As a huge movie fan, I remember when Rohit Shetty’s film came out – it was massive! It broke all the records for a Hindi movie at the time, both for its opening weekend and how much it eventually made overall. I especially loved Deepika’s character, Meenalochini – she spoke Tamil and was just so memorable, it definitely made people want to see the movie again and again. It wasn’t just popular in India either; it did incredibly well internationally. That film really proved that Deepika could carry a huge, blockbuster movie.

‘Piku’ (2015) – Headlined a small film to major awards

Shoojit Sircar’s heartwarming film brought Deepika Padukone together with Amitabh Bachchan and Irrfan Khan. Her subtle and realistic performance earned her numerous Best Actress awards. The movie demonstrated that simple, relatable stories could be very popular with audiences, and it showed that Deepika was capable of more than just roles in big-budget, visually impressive films.

‘Bajirao Mastani’ (2015) – Embodied a warrior-princess in an epic

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic romance starred Deepika Padukone as Mastani, and was famous for its stunning visuals, elaborate costumes, and impressive dance sequences. The film won several awards recognizing its artistic and technical achievements, including a National Film Award, and performed exceptionally well during the holiday season. Padukone’s sword fighting and classical dance became key features in the film’s marketing and live performances.

‘Padmaavat’ (2018) – Fronted one of the highest-grossing Hindi period dramas

Let me tell you, seeing Deepika Padukone back working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali was a treat. This film was clearly made for the big screen – think 3D and IMAX! It had a bit of a rocky road getting to release, but it absolutely crushed it at the box office, both here and abroad. What really stuck with me, though, was how much everyone was talking about the music, the stunning costumes, and that incredible finale. It just proved, if there was any doubt, that Deepika is a true star when given a director with a strong vision.

‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’ (2017) – Entered Hollywood as a lead action star

Deepika Padukone entered Hollywood with a role alongside Vin Diesel in the third film of a popular series, playing the character Serena Unger. The movie was released worldwide with a large publicity campaign that highlighted her as one of the main stars. This introduced her to new audiences in North America, Europe, and East Asia, expanding her reach beyond existing fans. The part also established her as an action star on the international stage.

‘Pathaan’ (2023) – Expanded a shared spy universe at record scale

In the spy thriller directed by Siddharth Anand, she starred as an undercover agent alongside Shah Rukh Khan, as part of Yash Raj Films’ connected universe of spy stories. The film became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films ever released globally. After its theatrical run, the movie’s songs and action sequences generated huge numbers of views online and on social media. This success helped to boost Bollywood’s momentum after cinemas reopened following closures.

‘Kalki 2898-AD’ (2024) – Anchored a pan-India sci-fi epic with a superstar ensemble

Nag Ashwin’s ambitious film, blending mythology and futuristic elements, brought together a star-studded cast including Deepika Padukone, Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan. It quickly gained huge pre-release buzz and became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the year worldwide. The film’s impressive visual effects and clever marketing made it feel like a major cinematic event. Deepika Padukone’s character helped ground the epic mythological story in relatable human emotions.

‘Chhapaak’ (2020) – Turned producer to champion a survivor’s story

Deepika co-produced and acted in Meghna Gulzar’s film, a powerful drama based on the true story of an acid-attack survivor. The movie was so impactful that several states waived taxes on it to help spread awareness. Its release led to national discussions about legal changes and support for survivors. This project showed Deepika’s commitment to producing meaningful films while continuing to take on leading roles.

Cannes Jury Member – Elevated Indian representation on a premier world stage

Deepika Padukone was chosen to be a judge at the Cannes Film Festival, making her one of the few Indian artists to ever hold that position. As a jury member, she helped decide the winners of one of the most prestigious awards in film. This appointment recognized her growing international profile, which she’s built through attending film festivals and working with major brands. It also helped strengthen connections between the Indian film industry in Mumbai and filmmakers around the world.

Share your favorite Deepika Padukone moments in the comments!

2025-11-20 10:15