Birthday Special: From Piku to Veronica, Deepika Padukone went on winning our hearts one role at a time
The golden girl of Bollywood, Deepika Padukone turns a year older today. Her birthday is going to be even special since it’s her first after her marriage to boyfriend Ranveer Singh. Last year, with one release only (Padmaavat) the actress managed to remain in the news for all the right reasons. Deepika had the dreamiest wedding with long-time boyfriend Ranveer Singh in Italy and we still are gushing over the pictures of it. But apart from her wedding to Ranveer, her fashion, her impeccable beauty, there’s something about Ms Padukone that makes her stand out of the rest. That’s the way she wears the character like her second skin whenever she’s on the screen. Hit of flop, but Deepika Padukone is always remembered in a movie, be it Karthik Calling Karthik, Lafangey Pardiney, etc. In a journey that begun 11 years ago, let’s see, in retrospect, how Deepika Padukone has evolved into a better version of herself with each film.
Meera Pandit in Love Aaj Kal
Deepika Padukone played the role of a strong-headed sorted modern woman Meera Pandit in this Imtiaz Ali film. She lets go of her love when she realizes that her presence means nothing to a guy who is on his way to live the life of his dream. She has no qualms in leaving a prospective groom behind and leading her life alone. Deepika Padukone as Meera is a girl you cannot dislike. You will relate to her, sympathise with her and ultimately fall in love with her.
Veronica in Cocktail
After playing roles like Gayatri from Bachna Ae Haseeno and Shanti Priya from Om Shanti Om, no one expected that this mesmerising beauty could play a wild, tameless woman Veronica in Cocktail. The film went on to be a hit and what everyone took away from it was Deepika Padukone’s character. It was relatable in many ways and Deepika Padukone’s convincing act made it even more relevant. The scene where she roughs up her hair and exits a loo is where we lost our heart to DP.
Pinky Palkar in Lafangey Parindey
Deepika essayed the role of a blind woman in the film, who manages to pull off all day-to-day chores without anyone’s help. She doesn’t believe that losing her vision is a disability to her. She roller skates like a pro leaving everyone agape. The film didn’t do well at the box office, but we still remember that Pinky Palkar roller skating with her eyes gazing into the dreams in her head.
Naina Talwar in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
If you’ve been that girl who never had many friends in the school, who used to carry books even to a college trip, Naina Talwar is your spirit person. As much as the film is talked about Ranbir Kapoor’s character, we’re still transfixed by Deepika Padukone in this Ayan Mukerji directorial. She has played the role of a meek and shy girl in the film who is strong enough to let go of her love of life just so he could realise his dreams.
Piku
The film that made laugh and cry at the same moment. It was a Shoojit Sircar wonder to make death look so subtle while Bollywood is used to injecting high-voltage drama into everything. But it was Deepika Padukone as Piku who made this film possible. If it wasn’t for her as Piku, the film wouldn’t be as memorable as it is now. Do you remember how many young girls tried to recreate Deepika Padukone’s look from Piku: Those Kurtas on jeans, open hair and a black Bindi.
