In a recent conversation with Vogue magazine, Deepika Padukone, the highly regarded Bollywood actress, shared insights into her journey in the film industry, reflecting on the obstacles she encountered as an outsider. Ever since her debut in Farah Khan’s “Om Shanti Om” alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Padukone has taken daring steps to establish her presence in the industry.
Discussing the ongoing discourse surrounding nepotism in Bollywood, Padukone acknowledged the challenges of being an outsider, describing it as a formidable task. “When you were an outsider 15 or 20 years ago, there was no other option,” she remarked. The actress underscored the persistent nature of nepotism, asserting that it existed in the past, endures in the present, and will likely persist in the future. “That was my reality,” she added.
Reflecting on her early days in the industry, Padukone spoke of the various challenges she faced, both professionally and personally. As a teenager relocating to a new city without family or friends, she had to navigate the intricacies of the industry independently. Despite the hardships, Padukone emphasized that she never perceived it as a burden at the time.
Looking back at her earlier days, the actress expressed pride in her well-traveled journey. In 2023, Deepika Padukone achieved significant success with two major films, “Pathaan” and “Jawan.” Although her role in the latter was brief, portraying the wife and mother to Shah Rukh Khan’s characters, she left a lasting impression in the Atlee directorial.
In 2024, Padukone is poised to kick off the year with Nag Ashwin’s sci-fi thriller “Kalki 2898 AD,” featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, and Disha Patani. Additionally, she will be part of Rohit Shetty’s cop universe in “Singham Again,” playing the role of a formidable and intense cop named Shakti Shetty. Despite her accomplishments, Padukone continues to reflect on her early challenges and the journey of forging her own path in the dynamic realm of Bollywood.
