Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone is one of the highest-paid and most influential actresses in India, with a career spanning nearly two decades. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, and raised in Bangalore, India, she is the daughter of legendary badminton player Prakash Padukone. She began her career as a model before making her Bollywood debut in the blockbuster Om Shanti Om (2007) opposite Shah Rukh Khan. The film was a massive commercial success and immediately established her as a leading lady in Indian cinema.

Padukone’s career reached new heights with critically acclaimed performances in films like Cocktail (2012), Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), Bajirao Mastani (2015), and Padmaavat (2018), all directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Her portrayal of Rani Padmavati earned her widespread praise and multiple awards. She also delivered powerful performances in Piku (2015), for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress, and Chhapaak (2020), where she played an acid attack survivor. Her production company, Ka Productions, produced Chhapaak, marking her debut as a film producer.

Padukone made her Hollywood debut in xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017) alongside Vin Diesel, expanding her international profile significantly. A substantial portion of her wealth comes from brand endorsements, as she is one of the most sought-after celebrity endorsers in India. She has been the face of brands including Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Levi’s, and numerous Indian companies. She has consistently ranked among the highest-paid actresses in Asia.

Beyond entertainment, Padukone is a prominent mental health advocate and founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation in 2015 to raise awareness about mental health issues in India. She married actor Ranveer Singh in 2018, and the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in September 2024. Padukone’s combination of box office power, brand value, and cultural influence has made her one of the most bankable stars in the global entertainment industry.