Good Vibes Only

Calm, composed, and compassionate, Deepika Padukone has charmed her way into peoples hearts since her very first movie. The global icon talks to Rushmika Banerjee about her biggest learning, mental health advocacy, and her pursuit of happiness.

Hi, I am Deepika Padukone,” is how the actor introduced herself to the stylist when she walked into the sets of Femina’s cover shoot. Dressed in a simple white tee and denims, she arrived at 9:25 for a shoot call time of 9:30 am. Later, she jokingly told the stylist how technologically challenged she is when it comes to ordering food online. During the shoot as well, when the stylist couldn’t find a pair of denims that would fit, Padukone happily offered to wear her own pair and she did. Deepika Padukone on screen is phenomenal. Deepika Padukone off-screen is grounded and her world is as simple as it gets. As we wrapped up the shoot in less than three hours, I couldn’t help but appreciate her work ethic, which was devoid of the starry air that one would expect of one of the highest-paid Indian actors in the Hindi film industry.

Years later, when I will recall this interaction, I will always remember how diligent, committed, and level-headed Padukone was. These are all the qualities that she brings to her work as well, which make her characters so convincing—the vulnerable Tara (from Tamasha in 2015), the feisty Piku (from Piku in 2015), and the courageous Rani Padmavati (from Padmaavat in 2018). In this freewheeling chat, Padukone talks about embracing failures, empowering individuals, and her evolving relationship with Ranveer Singh:

Was acting your first love?