New Delhi: Deepika Padukone turned a year older today. The star actor has now created a name for herself globally after having done an enviable variety of roles in Hindi cinema, having made an impressive debut in Hollywood and now having become a face of many international brands like Cartier and Louis Vuitton. Deepika made her debut in 2006 with the Kannada film ‘Aishwarya’. After that, she made an impressive debut in Bollywood with ‘Om Shanti Om’ opposite Shah Rukh Khan and has since then never looked back.


Here is looking at Deepika’s most iconic and creatively challenging roles which stemmed her position as an actor of commendable merit in the film industry.


Cocktail ( 2012)




Even though Deepika had been working in the industry for quite some time, it was with a film like 'Cocktail' that she changed the way audiences and critics looked at her. In 2012, Deepika portrayed the role of Veronica in the film co-starring Saif Ali Khan and Diana Penty. Besides adding glamour of another level, Deepika put in grey-shades and empathy for a character not many could associate with.


Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela( 2013)




Like before, Deepika challenged herself and was seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s modern Shakespearean adaptation of Romeo and Juliet with Ranveer Singh. Deepika defied stereotypes and played Leela; a society defying woman who could go to extremes for love. Deepika’s performance was equally matched by the tenor of Ranveer’s performance but her screen presence was dominating.


Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani ( 2013)




Deepika Padukone proved her mettle with a typical coming-of-age entertainer ‘Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani’. DP portrayed the role of Naina Talwar, an MBBS student alongside Ranbir Kapoor, an aspiring photojournalist.


Deepika’s innocence and charm in the film touched many hearts and established her as an actor who could pull off any and every kind of challenge.


Tamasha ( 2015)




In 2015, Deepika reunited with Imtiaz Ali, with whom she had worked in Love Aaj Kal ( another commendable role), to play Tara opposite Ranbir Kapoor. Deepika portrayed her role of a modern woman who gets entangled in a not-so-typical relationship with a man who is looking for himself. Deepika’s performance though not the highlight of the film was by all means a feather in her hat.


Piku ( 2015)




One of the most iconic roles by DP, in 'Piku' she portrayed the role of a Bengali designer who is the daughter of Amitabh Bachchan. The father-daughter relationship and just Deepika in general were the highlights of the film. With ‘Piku’, audiences saw a new face and an artist with polished craftsmanship.


Gehraiyaan (2021)




Even though Deepika worked and brought a lot of appreciation for her work in films like ‘Chhapaak’, ‘Padmaavat’, it was with Gehraiyaan that she created a massive storm.


Deepika’s performance in the Shakun Batra film, especially the latter half of the film, brought a different kind of light to her as an artist. 


While this is not a limited edition list, these are some of the audience and critic favoruite roles of Deepika. What are your favourite Deepika Padukone roles? Let us know.