North Americans often forget that Hollywood is not the only massive film industry in the world. Bollywood produces far more films and sells more tickets than Hollywood on an annual basis. It is often only when a Bollywood actor transitions to Hollywood that they achieve fame and recognition in North America.
Deepika Padukone is one of the most notable Bollywood stars making an impact in Hollywood today. Her appearance in xXx: The Return of Xander Cage was highly anticipated and did not disappoint. She is set to return in the upcoming instalment in the franchise. As she is just now becoming famous in North America, many fans may wonder who she is outside of acting. Her wide array of talents and endeavors certainly deserve attention, so here are 5 of the most interesting facts about Deepika Padukone.
5. She was a child model
Anyone who saw xXx: The Return of Xander Cage immediately appreciated Padukone’s beauty. It is unsurprising that she has modeled professionally for many years. Interestingly, she began modeling when she was only eight years old. By Grade 10, she decided that she wanted to pursue modeling as a career. Obviously, this introduction to the spotlight has led to incredible success in show business.
4. She was not born in India
Although Padukone was raised in India and has become one of the highest-earning Indian actors, she is not originally from the country. Instead, she was actually born in Copenhagen, Denmark. By the time she was 11 months old, however, her family moved to Bangalore, India. While she is a true Indian and was raised in the country’s culture, it is interesting to note that she was born in a different country.
3. She is a talented writer
Acting and modeling are not Padukone’s only gifts. She is also a highly accomplished writer who has done pieces for some notable publications. She mainly writes for lifestyle and women’s health magazines. Perhaps most notably, Padukone wrote weekly columns for Hindustan Times about her own life. While writing is not the focus of her career, it is impressive that she has time to interact with fans in a different medium than film.
2. She is a tremendous athlete
It almost seems unfair that a single person can have such great talent, but Padukone is also an incredible athlete. As her father was a world-class badminton player, she grew up playing the sport. She played at the national level during high school before pursuing modeling full-time. In addition, she played baseball at the state level. Given her athleticism, it is no surprise to see Padukone starring in action films like xXx: The Return of Xander Cage.
1. She cares deeply about mental health
While Padukone is one of India’s biggest stars, some of her most important work has been done outside of the spotlight. She has invested a great deal of time, money, and effort to help those struggling with mental illness. Padukone herself has struggled with depression, one of the key reasons why this issue is so important to her.
Impressively, she founded an organization called The Live Love Laugh Foundation which seeks to inform people about mental illness. In addition, she started the More Than Just Sad campaign in order to help doctors properly treat patients suffering mental illnesses. She is also the ambassador for the Indian Psychiatric Society.
Final Thoughts
The arrival of Deepika Padukone in Hollywood marks the introduction of a highly talented, experienced, and charismatic actor to a North American audience. In addition to acting, fans should appreciate the wide range of talents that Padukone has. These include modeling, writing, and athletics. Further, she should be celebrated for her outstanding efforts in promoting awareness of mental illness. With stars like Padukone leading the fight against mental illness, such issues will likely see a much faster resolution.
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