On August 10, 2025, news broke that Deepika Padukone has stepped back from acting in the Hindi remake of The Intern, choosing instead to focus solely on producing the long-delayed project under her banner, KA Productions. Deepika, a Bollywood powerhouse last seen in Singham Again (2024), was set to star alongside Amitabh Bachchan, who remains in the senior intern role originally intended for Rishi Kapoor. The remake of the 2015 Hollywood hit, starring Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro, explores mentorship and purpose in a modern workplace. Mumbai-based KA Productions, co-producing with Warner Brothers India and Azure Entertainment, drives the project. Announced in 2020 with a planned 2022 release, delays from the pandemic, Rishi Kapoor’s passing, and Deepika’s maternity break stalled progress. Deepika will oversee a “creative and logistical reboot,” per Mid-Day, with a new leading lady to be cast for her former role.
A Strategic Leap Forward
Deepika’s decision marks a defining moment in her career. “The Intern is the first of five projects I plan to mount this year, focusing on globally relevant stories,” she shared via a source in India Today. The original film, a Nancy Meyers-directed comedy-drama, grossed $190 million worldwide, with its heartwarming tale of a 70-year-old intern (De Niro) bonding with a young CEO (Hathaway). Deepika, initially drawn to its “breezy, relationship-driven” vibe, per her 2020 Instagram post, now aims to shape its Hindi adaptation as a producer. Amit Ravindernath Sharma, attached as director, will helm this reboot, though casting for the new female lead remains underway.
The Human Cost of Ambition
Imagine Deepika, a new mother to daughter Dua (born September 2024), balancing stardom with storytelling. Her choice reflects a deeper hunger to control narratives, especially after rumored exits from projects like Spirit over creative differences, including demands for eight-hour workdays. On X, fans are bittersweet—some, like Mumbai’s Riya, posted, “Sad she’s not acting, but excited for her vision!” Others worry the remake may lose its spark without her onscreen. Her shift aligns with a global trend—stars like Margot Robbie producing to amplify diverse voices.
A New Chapter for The Intern?
With 65% of Bollywood’s 2024 audience favoring female-led stories, Deepika’s producer role could redefine The Intern for Indian viewers. Will her vision elevate this tale of unlikely friendships, or will fans miss her onscreen magic? As #TheIntern trends with 5,000 X posts, the industry watches closely. Deepika’s gamble promises a fresh narrative, proving she’s not just a star but a storyteller shaping cinema’s future.
-By Manoj H