Deepika Padukone is an Indian film actress and model. One of the most popular and highest-paid Indian celebrities, she has established a career in Bollywood films, and is the recipient of two Filmfare Awards.

Deepika Padukone, the daughter of the badminton player Prakash Padukone, was born in Copenhagen and raised in Bangalore. As a teenager she played badminton in national level championships, but left her career in sport to become a fashion model. She soon received offers for film roles, and made her acting debut in 2006 as the titular character of the Kannada film Aishwarya.

Deepika Padukone then played dual roles in her first Bollywood release—the 2007 blockbuster Om Shanti Om—and won a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Padukone received praise for portraying the lead female roles in the romance Love Aaj Kal (2009) and the drama Lafangey Parindey (2010), The 2012 box office hit Cocktail marked a turning point in Padukone’s career, earning her critical acclaim and Best Actress nominations at several award ceremonies.

Deepika Padukone went on to star in the comedies Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), Chennai Express (2013), and Happy New Year (2014), all of which rank among the highest-grossing Bollywood films. She also garnered praise for her performances in the tragic romance Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress, and the comedy-drama Piku (2015).

Deepika Padukone is also a writer, having contributed to opinion columns and women’s health and fitness magazines. Aside from that, she has led many successful philanthropic and charity event efforts.

Deepika Padukone also participates in stage shows, has written columns for an Indian newspaper, is a prominent celebrity endorser for brands and products, and is vocal about issues such as feminism and depression. Her off-screen life is the subject of fervent tabloid reporting in India.