Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone (born 5 January 1986) is an Indian actress who works primarily in Hindi cinema. She is one of the highest-paid actresses in India and has been named in TIME magazine's list of 100 Most Influential People. Known for her elegant beauty, strong performances, and global appeal, she has established herself as one of Indian cinema's most bankable stars. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, and raised in Bangalore, Karnataka, Padukone is the daughter of badminton champion Prakash Padukone. She initially pursued a career in badminton before switching to modeling and then acting. She made her acting debut in the Kannada film "Aishwarya" (2006) and her Bollywood debut with "Om Shanti Om" (2007), opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Padukone's most acclaimed performances include "Love Aaj Kal" (2009), "Cocktail" (2012), "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela" (2013), "Piku" (2015, for which she won the Filmfare Best Actress Award), "Bajirao Mastani" (2015), "Padmaavat" (2018), and "Patiala House" (2011). Her portrayal of strong, independent women has resonated with audiences worldwide. In 2017, Padukone made her Hollywood debut in "xXx: Return of Xander Cage" alongside Vin Diesel. She married actor Ranveer Singh in 2018, and they have a daughter named Dua (born 2024). She is also the founder of the Live Love Laugh Foundation, which focuses on mental health awareness. In 2024, she was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor.