Deepika Padukone was born on January 5, 1986, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her father, Prakash Padukone, is a famous Indian badminton player while her mother Ujjala is a travel agent. The family moved to Bangalore when Deepika was just a year old. She grew up in a close knit family with her younger sister Anisha.
Deepika Padukone Wiki, Biography
Transition to Becoming a Successful Model:
Deepika’s interest in modeling sparked at the age of 8 when she would often accompany her mother to photo shoots. After completing high school, she enrolled in Indira Gandhi National Open University for a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. At the same time, Deepika also pursued modeling and became an instant hit with her striking looks and tall frame.
Breakthrough Role in Om Shanti Om:
In 2007, Deepika made her acting debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Farah Khan’s blockbuster movie ‘Om Shanti Om‘. Her performance as ‘Shantipriya’, a yesteryear actress who is reborn after being killed by her lover’s jealous wife, received critical acclaim and catapulted her to stardom overnight.
Early Life and Family Background
Growing up in a sports oriented family, Deepika was exposed to the world of sports from a young age. Her father’s influence led her to take up badminton as well and she played at the state level until the age of 16. However, her true passion lay in modeling and acting.
At the age of 8, Deepika moved to Bangalore with her family after her father retired from his badminton career. She completed her schooling at Sophia High School and then pursued pre university studies at Mount Carmel College. During this time, she also did some modeling assignments and caught the eye of various fashion designers.
It was at the age of 17 that Deepika’s life took a major turn when she participated in the Kingfisher Fashion Awards and won second place. This opened doors for her in the world of modeling and she started getting offers for various endorsements including Liril soap, Limca, and CloseUp toothpaste.
Success and Global Recognition
Deepika ventured into Hollywood with her role in “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” alongside Vin Diesel, making her a global icon. With this crossover, she proved that talent knows no boundaries and can transcend geographical barriers. She also became the first South Asian woman to make an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and walked the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival, representing L’Oreal India.
Her success does not end there; Deepika has graced prestigious magazine covers such as TIME magazine’s Next Generation Leaders issue, Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women list, and Variety’s International Women’s Impact report. She has also become a brand ambassador for top global brands like Louis Vuitton, Coca-Cola, and Nike.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5′ 8″, 167.64cm
- Weight (approx.): 55 kg, 121.254lbs
- Figure Measurements (approx.): 34-26-34
- Hair Colour: Brown
- Eye Colour: Black
Controversies and Challenges Faced
Like any other celebrity, Deepika has faced her fair share of controversies and challenges throughout her life. We will dive deeper into some of the major controversies and challenges that she has faced.
Childhood struggles and challenges:
Growing up in Bangalore, Deepika faced many struggles in her childhood. After quitting badminton due to various reasons, she had a tough time adjusting to a new school and coping with her parents’ divorce. In an interview, she revealed how these experiences affected her mentally and made her introverted and shy. However, with the support of her family, she overcame these challenges and found solace in modeling.
Controversy surrounding her relationship with Ranbir Kapoor:
Deepika Padukone with ex-bf Ranbir Kapoor |
Deepika’s relationship with fellow actor Ranbir Kapoor was the talk of the town when they started dating during the filming of their movie “Bachna Ae Haseeno.” But things took a turn for the worse when rumors emerged about Ranbir cheating on Deepika with his co-star Katrina Kaif. It led to a public fallout between Deepika and Ranbir, causing immense backlash for both parties. While this controversy did affect Deepika personally, she handled it with grace and moved on from it.
Mental health advocacy and backlash from certain groups:
Deepika Padukone has been an advocate for mental health awareness and has openly spoken about her own struggles with depression. She founded The Live Love Laugh Foundation in 2015, an organization focused on creating awareness, reducing the stigma around mental health issues, and providing support for those dealing with mental health problems.
While Deepika Padukone has received widespread support for her advocacy work, it’s important to note that any public figure can face backlash or criticism, particularly when they address sensitive issues like mental health. Backlash can come from various sources, including individuals or groups that may have differing opinions, cultural attitudes, or stigmas related to mental health.
Some critics may question the authenticity of a celebrity’s advocacy, while others might express discomfort with the openness surrounding mental health discussions. Additionally, cultural and societal attitudes towards mental health can vary, and some individuals or groups may be resistant to acknowledging or addressing mental health issues.