Global star Deepika Padukone turned 37 today. On this occasion, birthday wishes have been pouring in from all corners of the world. She is one of the highest-paid actors in India, and her accolades include three Filmfare best actor Awards.
Padukone has given several iconic roles in 13 years of her acting career, and the actor does not shy away to wear flaws on her sleeves.
From being the only Indian to be a brand ambassador of Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Levi’s to having her Madame Tussauds wax statue with the elitists, the actor has several feathers on her cap.
As Deepika Padukone celebrates her 37th birthday, we bring to you 5 promising roles that only DP could have pulled off.
The film that went unnoticed at the time of its release but is now the highest-regarded film for Bollywood lovers, Tamasha is a once-in-a-lifetime film. Just as the actors say, Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor were lucky to have been chosen by Imtiaz Ali to play the character of Tara and Ved.
While Kapoor gave his career-best performance in Tamasha, Padukone brought the much-needed anchor ship to the film. Tamasha is a film that everyone can relate to at some point in their life and the credit goes to both the lead actors.
Padukone’s character’s rawness and the emotions in her eyes was the highlight of the film, like literally, people could just look into her eyes and know what was Tara going through.
Deepika Padukone in and as Piku
A daughter dealing with her father’s constipation seems like a fun story, but it was Padukone who added emotions and swing to that character. A woman hailing from Kolkata to be living in Delhi and dealing with her father’s constipation and uncalled for critical approach is Piku’s theme.
An actor like Padukone to be picking up a character like Piku, that too after heavy-handed films like Bajirao Mastani and Ram Leela was a smart choice.
The character is still regarded as one of the most-layered characters played on screen and DP’s work in Piku was widely appreciated by critics as well as the audience. She also ended up winning the Filmfare award for Best Actor that year.
Mastani Bai in Bajirao Mastani
After Ram Leela, not only fans but even Padukone wanted to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali only because the audience thought the Om Shanti Om actor could pull off a historical character after seeing her as Leela.
And the actor didn’t disappoint the audience. Bajirao Mastani! the grand ethereal Bollywood film, with prominent actors like Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Milind Soman, and many others proved Padukone’s mettle once again.
With the traumas that Mastani was going through, the hardships that she had to deal with, and the non-acceptance the character received, the star made it her own. From deadly sword fights to impactful dialogues, she got everything absolutely spot on in this film.
Veronica in Cocktail
The actor, who hails from Bangalore made a mark on the big screen with a Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan, after a few flops and turn around in her personal life, Deepika Padukone’s Cocktail turned out to be a game changer for her. The role of Veronica not only established her as a capable actor but also opened the gate for Padukone in women-centric films.
The way she portrayed Veronica’s emotions on screen, made the audience fall for her pain. The actor was also credited for dealing with her character’s mental issues very well.
Shanti and Sandhya (Sandy) in and Om Shanti Om
To all those who are wondering why with films like Chhapaak, Padmavat, Ram Leela, Chennai Express, and Gehrayiyan in her kitty, Om Shanti Om in this list, please look back at Deepika Padukone walking out of that yellow taxi in pink lehenga waving at us and letting the world know that she has arrived.
An actor like Padukone deserved a grand debut like Om Shanti Om opposite one and only Shah Rukh Khan. The film had both actors in double roles and Padukone nailed both the roles of Shanti and Sandhya. She brought much-needed calmness to Shanti’s character, while the actor seemed to have a fun time playing Sandy.
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh: R Madhavan, Ananya Panday first looks unveiled
R. Madhavan plays the role of Neville McKinley, who was introduced on social media with an intriguing caption: “Sharp, fearless, undeniable… but playing for the other side!”
Following the acclaim of the 2019 Hindi film Kesari, directed by Anurag Singh and featuring Akshay Kumar, a sequel has been officially announced by Dharma Productions. Titled Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh, this new installment is directed by Karan Singh Tyagi and produced in collaboration with Cape of Good Films and Leo Media Collective. The film stars Akshay Kumar alongside R. Madhavan and Ananya Pandey in prominent roles.
Recently, the production team unveiled a teaser for the film, which is set to hit theaters on April 18, 2025. On March 28, 2025, they further teased the audience with the first look of the lead actors. This film draws its narrative from the tragic event of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which occurred on April 13, 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab.
In this sequel, Akshay Kumar portrays Sankaran Nair, a determined lawyer who aims to hold the British accountable for the atrocities committed during that fateful day.
Ananya Pandey’s character, Dilreet Gill, expresses a heartfelt sentiment: “Uss din Jallianwala Bagh mein jo hua, uska sach puri duniya ko pata chalna chahiye,” translating to “The truth of what happened at Jallianwala Bagh that day must be told to the world.”
R. Madhavan plays the role of Neville McKinley, who was introduced on social media with an intriguing caption: “Sharp, fearless, undeniable… but playing for the other side!”
The screenplay of Kesari Chapter 2 is based on the book The Case That Shook The Empire, authored by Pushpa Palat and Raghu Palat, with Tyagi collaborating with Amritpal Singh Bindra for the screenplay.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is gearing up for the highly anticipated release of his film Sikandar. While actively promoting the movie, he touched upon various topics, including the ongoing controversy that often surrounds film releases and fan expectations. In a recent interview with ANI, Salman was asked whether controversies have become a trend accompanying every movie launch. He made it clear that he wished to steer clear of any such disturbances in relation to Sikandar.
“Arey nahin chahiye bhai humko koi controversy. Bohot saare controversies se guzar chuke hain hum. Humko nahin chahiye koi controversy,” he asserted, emphasizing his desire for a smooth release. He elaborated on the negative impact controversies can have, stating, “I don’t think controversies make a film successful. We’ve seen that sometimes a movie’s release can be pushed back due to controversies, moving it from Friday to the following Tuesday.”
Salman further expressed his hope for a trouble-free premiere: “There is still time, bhai. Let’s let the film release without any controversy afterward.” He assured fans that Sikandar has much more to offer than what the brief trailer shows. “This is just a 3.5-minute glimpse. When you watch the full 2 hours and 25 minutes, you’ll realize that the trailer is just the tip of the iceberg. We can’t fit everything into it. There are numerous elements in the film that audiences will enjoy. Emotions are vital, especially in an action film.”
On the subject of his father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, attending the trailer launch, Salman expressed pride: “The love and respect he has earned remains intact. When I was leaving home for the launch, he said he wanted to join too. Our family was surprised at his enthusiasm. He climbed several steps to sit at the back, wanting to observe the media’s reaction.”
Directed by A.R. Murugadoss, known for hits like Ghajini and Thuppakki, Sikandar is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, marking a reunion with Salman after their successful collaboration on Kick in 2014. The film is set to hit theaters on March 30, 2025.
Ajay Devgn is back in action as the steadfast IRS officer Amay Patnaik in Raid 2, the sequel to the acclaimed 2018 film Raid. The first teaser for the movie was unveiled on Friday, March 28, generating substantial buzz among fans and followers. This much-anticipated sequel is directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, who also directed the original film, and it brings along a stellar cast with Riteish Deshmukh stepping into the role of the new antagonist. The ensemble also features Vaani Kapoor, Rajat Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla, Supriya Pathak, and Amit Sial.
The teaser opens with a dramatic scene of a convoy of cars making their way down a dusty road, indicating the preparations for an impending income tax raid. A voiceover draws attention to ‘Tauji’, the corrupt strongman played by Saurabh Shukla, who was incarcerated at the end of the first film. While Tauji remains behind bars, Amay, tough and unsmiling, is gearing up for his 75th raid, showcasing his tenacity and determination. His new target is Dada Bhai, portrayed by Riteish Deshmukh, a seasoned politician with a reputation for wielding significant influence and accumulating illicit wealth.
In a bold and defiant phone conversation, Amay makes it clear that he is unfazed by Dada Bhai’s power, declaring, “Who said I am a Pandav? I am the whole Mahabharata.” This exchange sets the stage for a gripping battle of wits, showcasing Amay’s fearless nature as he confronts the challenge posed by Dada Bhai.
Raid 2 promises to deliver more of the thrilling and intense drama that captivated audiences in the original film. The movie is set to be released in theaters on May 1, 2025, and fans are eagerly awaiting its debut. Ajay Devgn, who recently starred in Singham Again and made a cameo appearance in Azaad, is also looking forward to his upcoming projects, including Son of Sardaar 2 and De De Pyaar De 2. With his return as Amay Patnaik, the anticipation for Raid 2 continues to grow.
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