PremiumDeepika Padukone on tackling nepotism and forging her own path: It existed then, it exists now, and it will continue to exist
Deepika Padukone spoke at length about tenacity, independence, and her early days in Bollywood.
Last Updated: 05.35 PM, Nov 13, 2023
The recurring theme in Deepika Padukone's career has been that she has always gone her own way. Her breakthrough debut film, Om Shanti Om (2007), pushed her into the spotlight and marked her entry point into an industry entrenched in built-in bias. In a recent interview, the actor was asked about the infamous N-word, which has haunted Bollywood for the past few years. She was asked how a non-nepotism actor handled the jealousy of the other "star kids" when she entered the film industry.
Navigating nepotism and industry challenges
Deepika told Vogue India, "I had no choice," adding that 15 or 20 years ago, one had no choice but to live as an outsider. The actor also shared that making a name for oneself in an area or career one's parents aren't from is a difficult endeavour, and it's a recent development that they can put words to concepts like nepotism. It has always existed, always does exist, and always will; that was the truth for her.
Brushing aside obstacles
She continued by brushing aside previous obstacles, stating that back then, she had so many things to deal with, not just professionally but also personally. Deepika was a teenager starting out in a new field and a new place with no ties to either. Back when there was no such thing as Swiggy or Zomato, she had to plan her own meals and carry all of her belongings. Back then, the actor didn't see it as a hindrance at all. When she finally got home late at night, she would be so tired that she would fall asleep in the cab while lugging her suitcase across town. Deepika revealed that her mom would be very anxious if she didn't return home safely. Today, when she looks back at that journey, the actor thinks, "Not bad, girl! You did this, and you did it on your own." But there was no time for it back then.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Deepika will next be seen in Siddharth Anand's Fighter, in which she will be seen opposite Hrithik Roshan for the first time. The film is slated to release on January 25, 2024.