Just like her Bollywood debut film Om Shanti Om, birthday girl Deepika Padukone walked into the industry, waved, and never turned back! Yes, the Mastani of our hearts turns 35 today and continues to make us pick up our dropped jaws off the floor with her flawless beauty and her charming dimpled smile. Post alluring us with her ‘Ajab Si Addayein’ in OSO, Deepika swept us off our feet with her acting chops in Cocktail, Love Aaj Kal, Chennai Express, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastaani, Padmaavat, Piku amongst many others. From having a brief appearance in Himesh Reshammiya’s music video Naam Hai Tera to playing an acid attack survivor in Chhapaak, Padukone has come a long way! Well, we for one, can’t wait to see this stunner spread her charisma on the silver screen with Shakun Batra’s next untitled relationship drama!
Besides being an actress, a true- blue fashionista, and Queen of hearts, Deepika, above all, is a perfect version of herself. Time and again she has been socially active and addressed as well as voiced many issues that other tinsel townies would have steered clear of. Right from admitting to having suffered depression to standing in solidarity with the JNU students, Padukone has always stood her ground. On the stunner’s 35th birthday, here’s taking a look at what makes Deepika Padukone more than just an actress!
MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE
It takes a lot of guts and courage for a public figure, especially a successful actress to admit to having suffered from depression and mental health issues but Deepika, being a path breaker, normalized the discussion of the tabooed topic of mental wellness. She time and again spoke about her mental health issues and personal struggles as well. In order to urge people to come out with their stories and help people battle depression, she started The Live Love Laugh Foundation that focuses on people’s mental health, assuring them that they are not fighting alone.
ADDRESSING SOCIAL ISSUES
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Though the actress has time and again spoke out on several issues, the loudest that she spoke with her silence was during her visit to Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University ahead of her film Chhapaak. She stood in solidarity with the students of the university when the Bollywood was quiet on the entire fiasco of students being attacked inside the university. Not caring two hoots about how this would risk her upcoming release as an actress and a producer, DP took a huge step with respect to speaking (rather not speaking) about political issues and it was lauded by many of her fellow colleagues and co-stars.
OPENING HEART AS WELL AS CLOSET
Giving us the opportunity to shop for a cause, Deepika along with her TLLLF foundation launched a new initiative, ‘The Deepika Padukone Closet’ on the occasion of World Mental Health Day. Her closet initiative has featured multiple edits till now with her favorite pieces from her wardrobe put up for charity. Every contribution supports TLLLF that aims at giving hope to those experiencing stress, anxiety and depression.
A WELLNESS AFICIONADO
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In the times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Deepika made sure to take care of her personal wellbeing and be ‘productive’ during the social distancing phase. From skincare regime to eating healthy and exercising, the diva gave us some handy tips to take care of ourselves via her self-care Instagram posts.
AND LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST, OUR GO-TO FASHIONISTA
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Hailed as one of the most stylish actresses in the B-town, Deepika has always served us some outrageously sexy looks on the fashion platter to sink our teeth into. Mediocrity is never really her thing as one can always find her rock utter dramatic attires with perfect ease or flaunt elegant six yards looking like a dream. She certainly knows how to strike a perfect balance between quirky and serene and bring in the best of both worlds…
Wishing the woman who wears many hats, a very Happy Birthday!
(Source: Instagram)
