Deepika Padukone came from the sports background to the world of modelling and then Bollywood happened. Today, she stands tall as one of the strongest female icons of the nation. Her journey in showbiz, her drive to super stardom and further towards strength, beauty and grace, is truly awe inspiring. On her 30th birthday today, we take a look at 10 reasons why Deepika is an inspiration to many of us and why she sets your adrenaline pumping with her charm -
1. Top of her game and yet humble
Deepika inspires everybody with her modesty. She is known in the industry for her gentle, caring and down to earth nature. Even though she is at the top of her game at present, yet she is kind and humble. In the words of her rumoured boyfriend, Ranveer Singh, “Deepika treats everybody equally, she never discriminates between anyone, be it on the sets or anywhere else.” Well, he should know it better. Deepika has been quoted as saying,'When I go home, when we have no house help at dinner time, we lay our own table, make our own food, serve ourselves from the kitchen, sit at the table, eat and then we all have to wash up. We divide the work. If my dad is clearing the table, I'll wipe the table, and mum is washing the dishes, I might empty the dishes, put it back in the fridge, that's how it is. In the Bengaluru house, it definitely works like that, even over here I am not dependent on my maids at all. If they are up, fine. If they are not, I can manage this house (her Mumbai house) on my own.’
2. Hardwork can break barriers
Deepika has accomplished the impossible and has established herself as a top star without having high profile connections. She has done it without having a long tail of recommendations tagging her, all with her hard work, dedication and the right attitude. As a child of a famous badminton champion, and a former national level player herself, she has certainly broken strong barriers and managed to reach the top of the industry by her hard work.
3. A proud feminist
In her own words- “New feminism isn’t about being aggressive; it’s about reaching the top yet being soft. It’s about being you — feminine, strong and full of will power”. Deepika has spoken at length about the gender issues. Through the support she has extended towards women’s rights, she is now a symbol of strength for all women.
4. Not afraid to experiment with her roles
Popularly known as the queen of versatility, Deepika Padukone never shies away from experimenting with her roles and looks. With no glamour associated with her role in Piku, she looked phenomenal in a Bengali character. In Tamasha, the leggy lass looked simply sexy and in the period drama Bajirao Mastani, she donned a traditional avatar and pulled it off brilliantly. Earlier, in Chennai Express, she depicted the role of a South Indian girl Meenama, then she played a Gujarati girl in Goliyon Ki Raasleela Raamleela and even went on to play a Christian girl in Finding Fanny.
5. Style and fashion icon
From a cautious dresser to a role model who has never failed to impress, Deepika Padukone often woos us with her appearances. She does not shy away from experimenting with her looks be it chopping her long locks for her role or wearing a six-yard drape, or even a ghaghra. She has made all a fashionable thing. In her umpteen appearances in the recent past, she looked comfortable sporting denim shorts. She has even managed to bring the retro look back with her detailed eye make-up in her very first film. Not just in movies like she did for her role in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani where she made the nerdy looking Naina sexy, but even in real life, you can spot Deepika having no qualms about sporting her black-framed glasses with her-uber stylish ensembles in public. Like her deep dimples even her chashmish look adds to her charm.
6. Opening up about ‘Depression’
The actress took the entire nation by surprise when in a heart-rending revelation; DP came out into the open and talked about her struggles with mental illness – Depression. When the actress on her way to roaring success, DP courageously stepped forward and broke her silence about the issue. She stressed on the importance of spreading awareness about mental illness in an exclusive television interview. Her reason to the same was to do away with the stigma attached with it.
7. Helping the cause with ‘Live, Love, Laugh’ Foundation
Deepika further decided to take her efforts a step ahead and launched a not-for-profit organization, ‘Live Love Laugh' Foundation. The organisation focusses on de-stigmatizing mental illness. On the launch of the organisation, Deepika said, “The fight against depression is a cause very close to my heart and is one of the largest health issues facing the country today. Having experienced depression in the recent past, I realise how difficult it is to recognise the problem, find information and get the right kind of professional help.” More Power to you gal!
8. Breakups to Makeup –Reinventing herself
Post her much-publicised breakup with Ranbir Kapoor, the actress went through a rough patch on a personal front, but held her head high and bounced back on the professional front, with double the zeal and hard work. Her co-star and one-time boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor, during the promotions of Tamasha revealed, “Deepika has actually turned all her disadvantages into advantages!” Speaking volumes for her work was when on Koffee with Karan Salman Khan expressed his desire to work with DP in the current of actress. Even Sanjay Leela Bhansali, her director in Raamleela and Bajirao asserts, “Deepika has never ever gone over the top with her role.”
9. Dignified calm about her relationship
The actress, who is rumoured to be in a steady relationship with Ranveer Singh since 2012, has decided to not make a circus of her private life and maintain a dignified silence about the same. Even their public affection and adoration for each other speak volumes; the actress is in no mood to let paparazzi enter her bedroom. The closest DP came to confess her relationship and summed up in a beautiful manner was when she quoted (to India Today), ““He is my best friend. I am emotional, sensitive and vulnerable and I hurt easily. I can be so naked in front of Ranveer and I know he will never hurt me or take me for granted. That is the kind of trust and understanding we have. The reason I love and respect him is that I can bare my soul and still feel comfortable. If this is a divine connection - then this is what it is.”
10. Strongest Female icon
Deepika in the truest sense is one of the strongest female icons we have today. In the world of glamour, it is difficult to find a woman of substance. And she truly is! Never shies to speak up her mind, takes failures in her stride, handles success with grace and accepts her weakness; Deepika Padukone undoubtedly is inspiring, in every sense of the word.