Deepika Padukone (born 5 January 1986) is an Indian film actress and model. She appears mostly in Bollywood films.

Born tobadminton player Prakash Padukone, she chose to become an actress.[3] Padukone made her acting debut with the 2006 Kannada film Aishwarya.[4] The following year, she played the lead female role in the reincarnation melodrama Om Shanti Om; the film proved a major commercial success and earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She was later noted for portraying modern, independent women in several commercially successful films, including the 2009 romantic drama Love Aaj Kal, the 2010 comedy Housefull, the 2012 romantic comedy Cocktail and the 2013 coming-of-ageromantic comedy Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (also her biggest financial success). Her performance in Cocktail proved to be a turning point in her career, earning her unanimous critical appreciation and Best Actress nominations at several award ceremonies.
Contents
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1 Early life and background 2 Career

o o o o

2.1 Early modelling career, until 2006 2.2 Debut and film breakthrough, 200609 2.3 Initial success, 201011 2.4 Cocktail and commercial success

3 Other work

o o

3.1 Philanthropy 3.2 In the media

4 Personal life 5 Filmography 6 Notes 7 External links

Early life and background

Padukone was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her father, Prakash Padukone, is a former top world level badminton player, and her mother is a travel agent. Her father was then training in Denmark in the sport and when she was eleven months old her family moved to Bangalore, Karnataka, India.[5] Padukone has a younger sister, Anisha, born on 2 February 1991. [6] Padukone attended Sophia High School in Bangalore, and completed her pre-university studies at Mount Carmel College Bangalore.[7] While in high school she played badminton at the state level.[8] However, she was not keen on pursuing a career as a badminton player.[9] During the time of her film debut she was enrolled with the Indira Gandhi National Open University in Bachelors of Arts (Sociology).[10][11]

Career
Early modelling career, until 2006
Whilst in college, Padukone pursued a career in modelling.[12] She was spotted in a ramp competition in NLS, Bangalore,[citation needed] and consequently made her debut on the ramp at the Lakme Fashion Week in 2005.[2] Over the years, she has modelled for various Indian brands like Liril, Dabur Lal powder, Close-Up toothpaste and Limca, and has been "brand ambassador" for the Jewels of India retail jewellery show.[13] The cosmetics company Maybelline made her its international spokesperson.[14]

At the fifth annual Kingfisher Fashion Awards she was awarded the title "Model of the Year". [15] Shortly afterward, she was chosen as one of the models for the Kingfisher SwimsuitCalendar for 2006 and won two trophies at the Idea Zee Fashion Awards: "Female Model of the Year (Commercial Assignments)" and "Fresh Face of the Year".[16][17] Padukone was also chosen as the brand ambassador of Levi Strauss.[18] In addition, she appeared in the music video for Himesh Reshammiya's song "Naam Hai Tera".

Debut and film breakthrough, 200609

Padukone made her cinematic debut in Kannada with the romantic comedy Aishwarya opposite Kannada superstar Upendra in 2006. The films emerged a commercial success.[19]She later made a successful Bollywood debut in 2007 with Farah Khan's blockbuster Om Shanti Om opposite Shahrukh Khan. The film was a re-incarnation melodrama, featuring her in a double role.[20][21] Her performance was well received, earning the actress a Filmfare Best Female Debut Award as well as her first Filmfare Best Actress nomination.Taran Adarsh from indiaFM noted, "Deepika has all it takes to be a top star the personality, the looks and yes, she's supremely talented too. Standing in the same frame as SRK and getting it right is no small achievement. She comes as a whiff of fresh air!"[22] About being cast opposite Shah Rukh Khan, she said, "When Farah was casting for Happy New Year, she saw my commercials on TV and called my agent. I met her when she was rehearsing at a dance hall in Juhu. When that film didnt happen, she offered me OSO. Farah took care of me right from the fi rst meeting, introducing me to Shah Rukh Khan and ensuring that I was comfortable with him. Six months prior to shooting, we frequently met up for lunches and dinners."[23] Padukone was then seen playing a feisty, modern-day Indian woman, Gayatri, in Siddharth Anand's romantic comedy Bachna Ae Haseeno alongside Ranbir Kapoor, Bipasha Basuand Minissha Lamba.[24] The film performed reasonably well at the box office,[25] but her performance drew flak. Adarsh wrote, "Deepika is a sore point. Her role isn't convincing and that's the reason why this performance doesn't work. The only consolation is, she looks gorgeous." [26] Her first release of 2009 was Nikhil Advani's action comedyChandni Chowk To China, in which she played a double role again. Featuring alongside Akshay Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty and Ranvir Shorey, it was a critical and commercial disaster, with Padukone receiving mostly negative reviews for her performance. Nikhat Kazmi of The Times of India comments that "Deepika looks lost and forlorn for most of the film."[27][28] Padukone's second release of the year, the romantic drama Love Aaj Kal proved to be one of the biggest hits of 2009 and earned critical appreciation.[29] Directed by Imtiaz Ali and featuring Saif Ali Khan opposite Padukone, the film documented the changing value of relationships among the youth. Padukone's portrayal of Meera Pandit, a practical and head-strong career-minded woman, received a mixed reaction from critics, with NDTV's Anupama Chopra writing, "Deepika looks fabulous but she isnt a strong enough actor to breathe life into the character."[30] Despite this, she received her second Filmfare Award for Best Actress nomination.[31]

Padukone unveils the new Blackberry Torch

The same year, she teamed up with Farah Khan and Shah Rukh Khan once again for an item number in the Irrfan Khan-Lara Duttastarrer Billu.[32]

Initial success, 201011

In 2010, Padukone starred in five films, her first being Excel Entertainments psychological thriller Karthik Calling Karthik. Padukone featured opposite Farhan Akhtar as Shonali Mukherjee, the supportive girlfriend of a troubled schizophrenic. Critics were more appreciative of her performance this time, with Anupama Chopra noting that "Padukone finally seems to be thawing in front of a camera."[33] However, the film underperformed at the box office, and received mixed reviews. [34] She then featured in Sajid Khan's multistarrer comedy Housefull with Akshay Kumar, Ritesh Deshmukh, Lara Dutta, Arjun Rampal, Jiah Khan and Boman Irani. She played the role of Sandy, Kumar's girlfriend and later fiance. Despite a largely negative reception from critics, the film became a major economic success.[35][36] As for her performance, Taran Adarsh mentioned that "Deepika is a surprise. She carries her part with amazing confidence...Housefull is the film that would make people notice her talent as well as beauty". [37] She then appeared in her second Yash Raj production, Lafangey Parindey which was directed by Pradeep Sarkar. She starred opposite Neil Nitin Mukesh as Pinky Palkar, a blind girl, hellbent on winning a skating competition. Upon release, Padukone's performance gained critical acclaim, with Sudhish Kamath, of The Hindu writing, "This really is Deepika Padukone's film though. She exercises considerable restraint, dances, skates, makes you cry and smile."[38] Despite this, the film received mixed reviews and performed moderately well at the box office.[39]

Padukone with her Break Ke Baad co-star Imran Khan

Her next release was Kunal Kohli's syrupy romance Break Ke Baad opposite Imran Khan, where she played Aaliya Khan, an impetuous brat. The film was not a commercial or critical success, however won Padukone favourable reviews. [39][40] Nikhat Kazmi noted, "Padukone's climactic act seems to be the best performance in her entire career: completely spontaneous, crazy and cute."[41] Her final release of the year, Ashutosh Gowarikar's period film Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey opposite Abhishek Bachchan, met with scathing reviews and was declared a disaster.[42] The period drama was a retelling of the 1930 Chittagong armoury raid, with Bachchan playing the revolutionary leader Surya Sen and Padukone playing Kalpana Dutta, his lover and confidante.[43] A review carried by The Hollywood Reporter, however, mentioned her portrayal of Dutta as "impressive",[44] with Taran Adarsh adding that "Deepika sheds her glam look and looks every bit the character she illustrates. Kudos to her first of all for accepting a challenging role [of a woman revolutionary of the 1930s] so early in her career and then almost living that character in the film, continuing to prove her mettle far ahead of her poise and exquisiteness."[45] She began the year 2011 with an item number in Rohan Sippy's Dum Maaro Dum starring Abhishek Bachchan and Bipasha Basu. Her song was a remixed version of Zeenat Aman's iconic song from Hare Rama Hare Krishna.[46] The song, although a chartbuster, received mixed reviews for its raunchy lyrics and suggestive dancing.[47][48] Komal Nahta notes that "[the song's] picturisation (by Bosco-Caesar) on Deepika Padukone is very good, keeping the excited audience satisfied." [49] Conversely, Zeenat Aman, herself, was disappointed with the song, commenting that "[i]n the original, there was a certain innocence in Asha Bhonsles voice and also in the lyrics. What Ive heard here just left me cold," although adding that "Deepika is gorgeous and I am sure (that) she ha s done a great job."[50][51] Next, she featured in Prakash Jha's reservation melodrama, Aarakshan starring alongside Amitabh Bachchan, as his daughter, and Saif Ali Khan, as his love-interest.[52] The film, though highly publicised, flopped at the box office and received mixed reviews.[53][54] Pratim D. Gupta noted, "Deepika, though, is again the refreshing thing about a movie. Both her scenes with Bachchan one where she revolts and the other where she redeems herself show how she has come of age as an actor."[55] Padukone next appeared in Rohit Dhawan's Desi Boyz alongside Akshay Kumar, John Abraham and Chitrangada Singh.

The film, which revolved around two friends during the recession, received mixed reviews from critics and underperformed at the box office.[56]

Cocktail and commercial success

In 2012, Padukone appeared in Homi Adajania's romantic comedy Cocktail opposite Saif Ali Khan and Diana Penty. The film gyrated Padukone with accolades and praises, with the film being hailed as the turning point in her career.[57] Additionally, Cocktail earned Padukone her third nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award. [58] Anupama Chopra ofHindustan Times writes that "[t]he big surprise here is Deepika, who moves beyond her usual statuesque mannequin pose and gets into the skin of the emotionally raw and needy poor little rich girl. This is easily her best performance to date." [59] Devesh Sharma of Filmfare agrees, saying that "Deepika looks ravishing and is one actress who can carry off a bikini. Shes the soul of the film and excels in every scene, whether as a material girl who enjoys sex, drugs and rock and roll or as the jealousy ridden girl out to destroy herself."[60] Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama adds that "[t]he scene stealer is, without doubt, Deepika, who not only looks sizzling hot, but pitches in her career-best performance. She lets herself loose, surrenders to her character wholly and nails the performance. It's an incredibly noticeable act. It wouldn't be erroneous to state that Cocktailwould do for Deepika what Jab We Met did for Kareena."[61] Also, the film was a major commercial success in both the Indian[62][63] and overseas markets.[64] Padukone's first release of 2013 was the multistarrer action thriller Race 2, in which she starred alongside Saif Ali Khan, Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, Jacqueline Fernandez andAmeesha Patel.[65][66] The film received a mostly negative critical reception,[67] unlike its predecessor; but despite this, Race 2 was a commercial success,[68] grossing 93.50 crore (US$17 million) nett approx at the domestic box office[69] and US$6 million approx overseas,[70] Padukone received mixed reviews for her portrayal of femme fataleElena. Whilst Taran Adarsh compliments that "Deepika has the best scenes in the film. She looks stunning and immerses herself into her character completely",[71] Subhash K Jha notes that "[she] hardly look[s] provocative enough to be convincing as [a] femme fatale."[72] Padukone was last seen in Ayan Mukerji's coming-of-age romantic comedy Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani under the Dharma Productions banner. Starring opposite former boyfriendRanbir Kapoor,[73][74] Padukone's portrayal of girl-next-door Naina attracted rave reviews from critics. Raja Sen writes that "Deepika [...] plays it beautifully. She acts within herself and eschews exaggeration, and the results are impressive [...] This may be her most self-aware performance so far, and heres to more of the same." [75] Tushar Joshi agrees, saying that "[the] film belongs to Deepika Padukone. She has arrived, and that isn't a dig or a snide remark, but a validation of her evolution from being just another stunning face to someone who can keep you engaged even in the weak moments. I can't think of any other actress who would have done justice to the role, the way she has. Her transformation from 'scholar Naina' wearing frames with straight hair, to the sexy nose ring wearing girl in Badtameez Dil is outstanding." [76] Critics were also appreciative of Padukone's chemistry with Kapoor, with Joshi adding that "[t]he chemistry between [Ranbir] and Deepika is unsurpassable."[76] Whilst the film earned a positive to mixed critical reception,[77] it emerged as Padukone's highest grossing film to date, netting 152 crore (US$28 million) approx at the domestic box office by the end of its second week.[78][79] She will next be seen in Rohit Shetty's action romance film Chennai Express, in which she will reunite with her Om Shanti Om costar Shahrukh Khan.[80][81][82] Padukone is also set to make her Kollywood debut in Soundarya Rajnikanth's Kochadaiyaan opposite Rajnikanth. She is currently filming for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's adaptation ofWilliam Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet entitled Ram Leela, where she will appear opposite Ranveer Singh.[83][84][85] She has recently signed Homi Adajania's English film 'Finding Fanny Fernandes opposite Arjun Kapoor. The film, which brings back the primary team of Cocktail (with the exclusion of Saif Ali Khan and Diana Penty), will reportedly be a short film based on a road trip set in Goa.[86]

Other work
Philanthropy
As part of the Greenathon Campaign, Padukone adopted Ambegaon, a village in Maharashtra, that was facing a major electricity crisis.[87]

In the media
In addition to acting, Padukone is also the brand ambassador of prominent brands such as Tissot,[88] Sony Cybershot,[89] Yamaha,[90] Nescafe,[91] Garnier,[92] Wrigley's Orbit,[93]Luxor[94] and Vogue Eyewear,[95] among others. In 2009, Padukone started writing weekly columns for HT City, the lifestyle supplement of Hindustan Times. These columns appear online on social network, Desimartini.[96]

She appeared on the cover of many Indian editions of magazines, including Vogue, Grazia, GQ and Maxim.[97][98] She also walked the red carpet at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.[99] On November 2010, she appeared on Koffee With Karan, a popular chat show along with Sonam Kapoor. Her comments on exboyfriend Ranbir Kapoor led to a lot of controversy among Bollywood inner-circles.[100]

Personal life
In March 2008, Padukone began dating Ranbir Kapoor after meeting on the sets of their film Bachna Ae Haseeno.[101] After their high profile break up in November 2009, Padukone has decided to keep her personal life away from media attention. [102] In 2010, she reportedly started dating Siddharth Mallya, Kingfisher head honcho Vijay Mallya's son; although this was never confirmed by Padukone.[103][104] They broke up in 2012.[105]

Filmography
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Deepika Padukone

Year

Film

Role

Notes

2006

Aishwarya

Aishwarya

Kannada film

2007

Om Shanti Om

Shantipriya/ Sandhya (Sandy)

Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut NominatedFilmfare Award for Best Actress

2008

Bachna Ae Haseeno

Gayatri

2009

Chandni Chowk to China

Sakhi (Ms. TSM)/ Meow Meow (Suzy)

2009

Billu

Herself

Special appearance in song "Love Mera Hit Hit"

2009

Love Aaj Kal

Meera Pandit

NominatedFilmfare Award for Best Actress

2009

Main Aurr Mrs Khanna

Raina Khan

Special appearance

2010

Karthik Calling Karthik

Shonali Mukherjee

2010

Housefull

Sandy

Year

Film

Role

Notes

2010

Lafangey Parindey

Pinky Palkar

2010

Break Ke Baad

Aaliya Khan

2010

Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey Kalpana Datta

2011

Dum Maro Dum

Herself

Special appearance in song "Mit Jaaye Gum (Dum Maaro Dum)"

2011

Aarakshan

Poorbi Anand

2011

Desi Boyz

Radhika Awasthi

2012

Cocktail

Veronica Malaney

NominatedFilmfare Award for Best Actress

2013

Race 2

Elena

2013

Bombay Talkies

Herself

Special appearance in song "Apna Bombay Talkies"

2013

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani Naina Talwar

2013

Chennai Express

Meena Lochni

Post-production

2013

Kochadaiyaan

Tamil film Post-production

2013

Ram Leela

Leela

Filming

2014

Finding Fanny Fernandes

Pre-production