After two decades of commanding both Indian and global cinema, Deepika Padukone reflects on her evolution as an actor, entrepreneur, and purposeful leader. In an exclusive interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the star reveals how her understanding of success has fundamentally shifted, moving away from fame and wealth toward meaningful impact and authentic storytelling.
From Oblivious Beginnings to Strategic Clarity
Padukone openly acknowledges that her initial years in the industry were characterized by uncertainty and self-doubt. “I was almost oblivious. I knew this was where I’d be and what I’d be doing, but I had no clue how I was going to get there,” she recalls. What started as a two-year modeling career- spanning runway shows, print work, and commercials—quickly evolved into a film career that caught even the actor herself off guard. Despite early film offers, she chose to delay her transition to cinema, seeking time to settle into the glamour and show business world. The release of Om Shanti Om in 2007 was the pivotal moment she believed was appropriate.
Today, Padukone carries an enviable confidence born from experience and learning. “At that age there’s so much self-doubt, so many questions about whether you’re doing it right, what people think. Now it’s about being sure of who I am and what I want to do,” she explains, highlighting the vast psychological distance between her younger self and today’s version.
Redefining Success: Beyond Numbers and Fame
The actor’s definition of success has undergone a profound transformation. Where youth equates success with fame, wealth, and lifestyle, Padukone now measures it through an entirely different lens. “Success is physical and emotional well-being. Time is our greatest currency—how I spend it, who I spend it with, and having the freedom to decide that. That, for me, is success,” she states.
This philosophical shift becomes evident in her career choices. Despite commanding box office power and lucrative opportunities, what truly excites Padukone now is enabling storytelling and supporting creative talent. “At this stage, it’s not about the ₹100-crore films, or even the ₹500-₹600 crore ones,” she emphasizes, revealing how her motivations have transcended commercial appeal.
Building a Brand on Authenticity and Non-Negotiables
Padukone’s globally recognizable brand stands apart for its consistency, quiet intensity, and refusal to be performative. She attributes this deliberate construction to a single non-negotiable principle: authenticity. “Anything that doesn’t feel true to me doesn’t cut. Sometimes people offer a lot of money and think that’s enough, but it isn’t,” she explains. Her approach applies equally to high-profile endorsements and smaller, mission-driven projects; she backs both based on genuine belief rather than commercial merit alone.
The “Global Indian” Philosophy
When discussing her role as a global Indian star, a label frequently attached to her, Padukone reframes it as cultural pride without apology. She questions why Indian talent must dilute their identity to gain global acceptance. “If certain cinemas and talent from other parts of the world are accepted globally, why do we need to change who we are?” she asks pointedly. Her campaigns with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton represent not personal victory but collective recognition of Indian talent on the world stage. She celebrates peers like Alia Bhatt with Gucci and Ananya Panday with Chanel as evidence of collective arrival.
Motherhood, Mental Health, and Future Frontiers
Beyond entertainment, Padukone’s influence extends into advocacy through The Live Love Laugh Foundation, which has evolved beyond her personal mental health disclosure into a broader movement for destigmatization. She identifies the critical gap as accessibility and affordability of mental health services, a frontier she intends to address.
Motherhood has also shaped her priorities, particularly around supporting working mothers and normalizing workplace flexibility. In her own office, she has implemented eight-hour workdays and family-friendly policies, challenging the culture of glorified burnout.
The Lasting Legacy
Two decades into her career, Deepika Padukone’s legacy is built not on noise but on steadiness. Her power lies in purposeful choices, authentic expression, and a commitment to lifting others in the industry- a quieter, more enduring form of influence that transcends temporary fame.
By – Sonali