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It’s been 13 years seeing Deepika Padukone gracing the silver screen. With time, the diva has made sure to make heads turn with her on-screen energy, power-packed performances along with well-defined characters, allowing us to connect and resonate with her. Be it portraying the historical characters like Mastani or Padmavati or being the fictional characters like Veronica or Piku, Deepika has made sure to make each of these personalities so believable, that more often than not, it felt like we’ve known them, through her. Every personality portrayed by the star has created an impact on us as they aren’t devoid of depth. She has surely crafted a niche for herself, among other star celebs. Deepika was last seen in ‘Chhapaak’ alongside Vikrant Massey. She will soon be seen in Kabir Khan’s 83′ alongside Ranveer Singh. As she completes 13 years in the industry today, here’s to revisiting certain phenomenal characters brought to life, by her.
Shanti Priya – Om Shanti Om
13 years ago we met Deepika for the first time, as Shanti Priya, the ‘dreamy girl’ of the tinseltown with the storyline of ‘Om Shanti Om’. She was seen sharing screen space with Shah Rukh Khan. According to a news portal Deepika said,”Om Shanti Om put me on the map. It changed my life overnight. When I left Mumbai for the world premiere, people viewed me very differently. The minute I landed at immigration, I realised my life had changed.” Helmed by Farah Khan, the movie instantly struck a chord with the audiences as it allowed one to travel back in time, as it brought alive the golden era of cinema.
Veronica – Cocktail
This movie proved to be a turning point in Deepika’s career. She played the character of a free spirited yet emotionally vulnerable Veronica – a resilient and independent personality wanting to embrace her stand for herself. Speaking about her character, Deepika acknowledged, “Veronica allowed me to explore a side that I had never explored and opened me in a lot of ways. I was a very inhibited actor and I had to shed a lot of my inhibitions. It’s one character I would like to flirt around with every now and then.” Helmed by Homi Adajania, the film also featured Saif Ali Khan and Diana Penty in pivotal roles.
Leela – Ram Leela
Watching Deepika as Leela was endearing enough to be etched in our lives forever. Helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the movie was an adaptation of the classic love story Romeo and Juliet. Ranveer on working with Deepika said to a news portal, “I would love to collaborate with her again because she is one of the best we have. Hopefully, we will get that opportunity sooner rather than later. I hope after Ram Leela it will just happen on its own,” Ram Leela was Deepika and Ranveer’s first film together.
Naina – Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
7 years ago, we met Naina taking an impromptu trip to Manali, meets and makes the best of friends for a lifetime. Deepika’s character as Naina found her as a nerd, who learns to embrace her uniqueness eventually. She is one of the most loved on-screen characters of Bollywood, allowing one to resonate with her feelings. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the movie also starred Ranbir Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapoor and Kalki Koechlin in pivotal roles.
Padmavati – Padmaavat
Rani Padmavati boasts courage, resilience and empowerment. Deepika truly made this historical character breathable. Her majestic walk during the climax, gave all of us goosebumps. Sanjay Leela Bhansali made sure to make this film a life time experience for the audience. Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor also played major roles in driving the movie.
Mastani – Bajirao Mastani
Watching Deepika as Mastani, was a visual treat for the audience and cinema lovers. Bringing alive a historical character is indeed challenging; Deepika truly did justice to her character with perfection. Deepika shared that the qualities of Mastani are something that every woman has. “We may not be warriors, but we women have survival and fighting instinct. Every woman is a lover and nurturer. All these qualities are there in every woman,” she told a news portal. Helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the movie also starred Ranveer Singh and Priyanka Chopra in pivotal characters.
Meenamma – Chennai Express
Deepika’s character as Meenama found herself to play a comical role in Rohit Shetty’s ‘Chennai Express’. She indeed brought life to the character with her heavy southern accent and all her quirks. She was seen sharing screen space with Shah Rukh Khan. Talking to a news portal, she said “I’ve been after Rohit to take Meenamma forward. If something comes along, I will happily do it”.
Piku – Piku
Piku is one of the most cherished characters in Bollywood. Deepika’s portrayal as a short tempered and a strong independent woman, having an ardent love towards her father won her several accolades from the critics and the cinema lovers. Given a chance, I would do the movie all over again.” she said and also added that she misses Piku and the experience of making the movie. Helmed by Shoojit Sircar the movie also featured Amitabh Bachchan and late actor Irrfan Khan in pivotal characters.
Tara – Tamasha
Tara finds Deepika as a quick, expressive and emotionally graceful. In an interview with Mumbai Mirror Deepika Padukone shared that her character is a fan of a French Comic Series. Directed by Imitiaz Ali, the movie also featured Ranbir Kapoor in a pivotal role. Tara allows one to hope and connect with one’s inner self to achieve success in the journey of life. She also allows one to love without any boundaries, and fight for them no matter what.
Malti – Chhapaak
This was one of finest performances given by the star lady. She portrayed a character of an acid attack survivor. Her co-star Vikrant Massey shared in an interview that she gave “her all and emptied herself to create” the character of Malti. He also added, there were days when she would respond like Malti even off-camera. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, ‘Chhapaak’ managed to make heads turn with Deepika’s impactful dialogue delivery along with her performance.
Source From : Times Of India
