Deepika Padukone reflects on struggles after Bollywood debut
Last updated on: 30 December,2020 07:21 pm
Deepika Padukone reflects on Bollywood debut
(Web Desk) - Deepika Padukone, arguably one of the biggest female superstars in Bollywood, made her debut with Om Shanti Om in 2007 and has since delivered numerous blockbusters in her 13-year film career.
In a recent interview, Deepika opened up about being subjected to criticism that she faced at the initial stage of her career.
"After hustling and grinding through the modelling world for some years, I finally got my big break in movies. I landed ‘Om Shanti Om’ at the age of 19 and was immediately thrown into the deep end. My very first movie was a big-ticket, marquee project with the biggest names in the business. In 2007, when the film finally released, there was love and appreciation in abundance, but there was also a section of people who scathingly criticised my work, ‘Oh she is a model, she cannot act.’ My accent was made fun of," Deepika said.
"A lot was said and written about me and my craft, and, the truth is, all of it was extremely hurtful. When you are all of 21, these kinds of brickbats most certainly affect you," she added.
She also credited her parents for teaching her ‘to live within our means, encouraged us to focus not only on our professional achievements but on being remembered as good human beings.’
She credited those very beacons of life and learnings in helping her navigate her personal and professional path with humility and gratitude.