Deepika Padukone's POV As an Outsider: Nepotism Will Continue To Exist

Deepika Padukone's debut in Bollywood commenced with the blockbuster Om Shanti Om, a movie that garnered immense love and continues to hold a special place among audiences. Following this debut, Padukone consistently delivered captivating performances, ascending to the pinnacle of her entertainment career.

Expanding her horizons, she ventured into Hollywood and established herself as a global icon. In a recent interview, Padukone shared insights into her early days in the industry, particularly reflecting on her modelling phase. 

Deepika Padukone On Why She Refused To Move To The West 

Recollecting that time, she revealed, "Early on in my modelling career, I had an offer to move overseas and all of the fashion gurus in India said, 'You shouldn’t be here, you should be in Paris, New York or Milan,' and I was like, 'No, those places are not my home. India is home."

Emphasising her global impact, she questioned the need to uproot herself, stating, "Why do I need to move with bag and baggage to have a global impact?"

On Dealing With Insecurities From Insiders In Bollywood

Addressing the challenges faced by outsiders in Bollywood, Padukone acknowledged that two decades ago, being an outsider left her with no alternative. She acknowledged, "Back then, as an outsider, there were limited choices. It’s an uphill task for any individual trying to make a mark in a field or profession that their parents don’t come from." Reflecting on the prevalent nepotism, she remarked, "The fact that we’ve started to articulate things like nepotism is a new trend. It existed then, it exists now and it will continue to exist. That was my reality."

Padukone recounted managing personal and professional struggles during her early days, including arranging meals and transportation, as well as handling her luggage. Despite these challenges, she never perceived them as burdensome, looking back on those times with pride and acknowledging her resilience: "Not bad, girl! You did this and you did it on your own."

Upcoming Projects

Following the triumph of movies like Pathaan and Jawan, Padukone gears up for an exciting lineup of projects. She is set to star in Kalki 2898 AD, sharing the screen with Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan. Additionally, she's preparing for Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again and Fighter alongside Hrithik Roshan. 

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