Deepika Padukone Reflects on Film Choices and Upcoming Projects

In a career spanning 18 years, Deepika Padukone has emerged as one of Indian cinema’s most versatile and successful actors. Making her debut with Om Shanti Om, she has since starred in iconic films, including the pan-India blockbuster Kalki 2898 AD. Over the years, Deepika has delivered several commercially successful hits, though some projects failed to resonate with audiences or critics. In a candid conversation, she admitted that she sometimes revisits past choices with a sense of reflection and learning.

Deepika elaborated on her approach to selecting projects at this stage of her career:“The only non-negotiable is 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. And the reverse is also true—some things may not be commercially big, but I believe in the people or the message, and I’ll stand by it,” she explained.

She acknowledged that earlier in her career, she lacked this clarity:“Was I always this clear? Maybe not. But I’ve reached that clarity now. Do I sometimes look back and think, ‘What was I thinking?’ Of course. That’s part of learning. Maybe 10 years from now, I’ll question some of today’s choices. But right now, they feel honest,” she added.

Deepika has appeared in 33 films across 18 years, establishing herself as a leading actor in Bollywood and pan-India cinema. Her filmography includes a mix of commercial blockbusters, critically acclaimed performances, and occasional box office underperformers, reflecting her versatility and willingness to experiment.

She currently has two major projects lined up. She will play a supporting role in Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming action entertainer King, directed by Siddharth Anand, which also features Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Rani Mukerji, and is scheduled for release in April 2026. She will then collaborate with director Atlee on the untitled Allu Arjun-starrer, tentatively titled AA22xA6, set to release in 2027.

These projects mark Deepika’s continued evolution in Indian cinema, balancing mainstream appeal with personal artistic choices.