Deepika Padukone, the Bollywood sensation known for her grace, talent and stunning beauty, is in the midst of her winner-takes-all era. The 37-year-old star, dressed in a long-line oat kurta over baggy trousers, exudes an air of vivaciousness as she graces the cover Vogue of India. Her unwavering commitment to her craft is evident as she talks about her intense training regimen and journey so far with Megha Kapoor. “I’ve been working really hard in the gym, and it’s so rewarding,” she shares.
As she prepares to fly to Italy to shoot two songs for her upcoming film, Fighter, opposite Hrithik Roshan, her disciplined schedule keeps her firmly in control of her destiny. Reflecting on the past year and a half, she recalls the history-making Louis Vuitton Global Embassy as the starting point of her incredible journey. From Louis Vuitton and Cartier embassies to the unveiling of the FIFA World Cup trophy, which adorns the YEAR magazine cover, presentation at 95u Academy Awards and launching the self-care brand, 82°E, Padukone has achieved notable milestones while also starring in blockbuster films. However, he’s taking nothing for granted as he looks back on the moment it all went down during the Cannes Film Festival.
Indeed, the world’s attention is now firmly on India, and international brands are keen to capitalize on the growing luxury market. Padukone, a staunch advocate of authenticity, believes it’s about time. According to Padukone, the realization has been a long time coming. “India’s presence has always been here, it just took a long time for the world to recognize our influence. We stayed true to our authentic selves.” Instead of seeing it as a pivotal moment, he sees it as the start of something bigger. “This is not a fleeting event. It is not an overnight creation. What adds significance to India’s current recognition as a global player is its enduring nature.”
When asked if she plans to move for her global impact, Padukone is adamant that India is her home. She recalls an offer early in her modeling career to move abroad, but her heart and soul were rooted in India. “India is home,” he affirms.
Throughout her illustrious career, Padukone’s determination to forge her own path has been a recurring theme. Her first film, Om Shandi Om, catapulted her into the limelight at a young age and exposed her to an industry marked by entrenched prejudices. But how did a young person, who does not belong to a film dynasty, deal with the insecurities surrounding an outsider?
“I didn’t really have a choice,” she replies, punctuating her words with one of her signature thoughtful pauses. “Being an outsider 15 or 20 years ago left you with no alternative. It exists now and it will persist. That was my reality.”
He continues emphatically, “During this time, I had many challenges, not only professionally but also personally. As a teenager relocating to a new city, I had no family or friends in this unfamiliar industry. I had to figure out meals (pre Swiggy or Zomato era, mind you), transportation and carry my own bags. It never felt like a burden then. Exhausted after work late at night, I carried my suitcase around town in a taxi, sometimes falling asleep during the journey home. My mother was worried about my safety. Looking back on that trip now, I think, “Not bad, girl! You did it, and you did it alone.” But at that moment there was no time for reflection.”
“Are you a workaholic?” asked the hostess, the weight of her accomplishments and unwavering sense of purpose at the forefront of my thoughts. “Yes,” she answered confidently. “I’m a workaholic, but I’ve reached this happy phase where I’ve become a Monday-to-Friday workaholic, achieving a sense of balance.” Padukone’s public journey with mental health has led her to consciously prioritize and maintain that balance. “I was diagnosed with depression in 2014. When that happens, you realize that taking care of your mental health is also a form of work. Part of that daily effort is finding balance. I’ve discovered a point where I proudly label myself as a workaholic, but not the workaholic kind leading to exhaustion, exhaustion or agitation on the brink of collapse’.
She stood in solidarity with students at Jawaharlal Nehru University, even as she was given a bounty on her head after his release Padmaavat. Her willingness to voice her opinions, own up to her mistakes, and engage in difficult conversations is a testament to her courage. “I love being at home, doing pottery and resting. I’ve found that this is a form of absorption for my mind as well,” she shares. Her reveal perfectly aligns with the serene tone of her home office, extending her outfit and the happy mood of her staff working outside – an interesting contrast to the typical frantic activity surrounding Bollywood celebrities.
As for indulgences, she confesses: “Food brings me comfort. I derive immense joy from food. My husband and I share a love of good food.” Amidst the busy schedules of her and husband Ranveer Singh’s Bollywood career, Deepika also discussed the challenges of making time for each other.
She stressed the importance of prioritizing their relationship, stating, “Spending time with my husband is very important to me. You have to make time… I have to say that he and I both make the effort. He can’t she’s one-sided. We have to schedule it.” In navigating their professions, where extended travel and conflicting work hours are common, she acknowledged the struggle of being in the same city but not having quality time together. Deepika emphasized that she doesn’t it’s about the quantity but the quality of their time. Expressing their dual preferences, she added: “We like it when it’s just the two of us, but we also like to spend time with our families.”
On the topic of their shared interests, especially dancing, Deepika shared, “I love dancing. Sometimes on weekends, my husband and I play music in the living room and stay up dancing till 4 in the morning, showing the our playlists to each other.” Interestingly, this mirrors her earlier report of the same activity in a recent one Coffee with Karan episode that aired last month.
In her own words, Deepika encapsulates her journey and her unwavering spirit: “I don’t think I have a problem with that. I’m surrounded by people who don’t care about fame. I’m a daughter, I’m a wife, I’m a sister, I’m a daughter-in-law. When I get out of this world, then I’m famous. What I love about fame is the fact that you can make a difference, you can touch and affect people’s lives. To me, that’s the exciting part. I don’t mind being famous for all these reasons.”
In a world that often exalts the superficial, Deepika Padukone is a refreshing change. Deepika Padukone, a rebel at heart, is here to stay.
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