Deepika Padukone- From a Super-model to a Super-actress

Its 9th November 2017 and Deepika Padukone has completed 10 years in Hindi films ( her first film though was in Kannada with the very famous Kannada actor Upendra namely 'Aishwarya'(2006)). Its a proud day for every Deepika fan not only because she has completed a decade in Hindi films but its actually her evolution as an actress,person and a professional that makes this journey of hers even more exciting and inspiring.

As a hardcore Deepika fan, lets look at her best performances from her glorious decade

1. Om Shanti Om

Director: Farah Khan

Co-Actor: Shah Rukh Khan, Arjun Rampal, Shreyas Talpade, Kirron Kher 

When Om Shanti Om came, I was 10 years old. I very clearly remember the first song of the film, Ajab Si coming on TV. Thats when I saw Deepika for the first time and instantly recognized her as the girl who has been face of many iconic brands such as Parachute, Limca etc, and I instantly fell in love with her. That gorgeous face, those dimples, her grace and lovely smile made me a fan girl of her. The song Ajab Si perfectly describe Deepika. I actually believed that she is some superstar! And uff.. that 'palat smile'.. will never forget it....Any boy will fall for her..

I keep revisiting this song. It always brings a smile on my face. Very beautifully sung by K.K.

the lyrics fit so perfectly to Deepika ..

Aankhon Mein Teri
Ajab Si Ajab Si Adayein Hai
Hoo Aankhon Mein Teri
Ajab Si Ajab Si Adayein Hai...

Dil Ko Banade Jo Patang Saa Se
Yeh Teri Woh Haawaien Hai...

I watched 'Om Shanti Om' with my parents and came back absolutely spell-bound by this beauty. She looked ethereal and really promising. I became a Deepika fan since then.

2. Love Aaj Kal

Director: Imtiaz Ali

Co-Actor: Saif Ali Khan, Rishi Kapoor

The film that actually made me sit and take notice of her was Meera from love Aaj Kal. The role was complex but she acted amzingly. I could see her go from a range of emotions. I Loved the spunkiness in her in the song 'Chor Bazaari'.  Meera will truely be special to me. The film and her character have aged and will be aging beautifully. Love Aaj Kal is one of my most favourite films of hers. Its a very personal film.

I loved the sequence, where Jai(Saif Ali Khan) is hurt and is remembering Meera. Its a lovely scene.

 Imtiaz Ali gave Deepika wings to fly with this film and hence makes this film even more special to not only to her but also to the film's fans. Meera will always be special.

3. Cocktail

Director: Homi Adjania

Co-Actor: Saif Ali Khan, Diana Penty

A film that surely has been a huge turning point in her life is Cocktail. This shut down all the detractors and made everybody realized of her acting chops who usually associated her to only a glam doll. I am sure, when people talk about her filmography, it will always be about her pre-Cocktail and post-Cocktail journey. For me she was the ONLY interesting aspect in Cocktail. It was amazing to see shedding her inhibitions and personal shyness. And her introduction.. omg!! Hotness overloaded!

I particularly loved the scene where she explains Gautam(Saif Ali Khan), that she can also be loved, have a family etc. The pain,angst and hurt in her eyes was so visible..

Veronica's transformation was the USP of the film.

4. Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Co-Actor: Ranveer Singh, Supriya Pathak, Richa Chaddha

Deepika as leela was on a different level( so was Ranveer Singh as Ram). Her first ever collaboration with the brilliant director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Her performance as Leela made her one of the finest actresses in Hindi cinema. Her fiesty, fiery and bold spirit became talk of the town and so was her sizzling chemistry with her Ram. Her introdcution in the film was fabulous. 

She looked drop-dead gorgeous in the film, particularly in the songs lahu munh lag gaya and Ang laga de. 

Ang laga de

 

Lahu munh lag gaya

I was awesruck with her potrayal of leela.. I loved her in this scene specially when she opposes the chair of leader of her community. Her eyes spoke volumes in this particular scene..

5. Piku

Director: Shoojir Sircar

Co-Actor: Amitabh Bachchan, Irrfan Khan, Moushami Chatterjee, Prosenjit

Piku by far, has to be Deepika's most likable performance. There is so much to admire and applaud her for potraying her character with so much grace and maturity. I loved her styling and more so the way she carried Piku's persona on-screen. I felt a lot of real Deepika in Piku. The easy-breeziness of the film makes the characters very relatable. Thank you Deepika for doing this film and potraying many Pikus' life story in the film. 

My favourite scene from the film is when Bhaskor Banerjee(Amitabh Bachchan) is unwell after last night Chhobi Maasi's party (played by Moushami Chatterjee) and when Piku gets to know about it, she gets emotional. Deepika's eyes were so  expressive. One could see the concern and slight guilt in her eyes. I could feel her pain, she was that good.

Elsewhere, when she meets Rana(Irrfan Khan), who is the owner of a cab service and he talks about his cab's accident in which she was riding last time was hilarious. Deepika's reactions were too good..

I also loved the climax sequence when she is playing badminton with Irrfan..pure genius.. 

6. Tamasha

Director: Imtiaz Ali

Co-Actor: Ranbir Kapoor

Deepika's best performance till date has to be in Tamasha. There is so much to admire about her character in the film. Tara, her character just like her name is always shining. She brings light to Ved's(Ranbir Kapoor) monotonous,dull life.  Its a beautifully written role and is all love. Deepika put her soul to this film. Whenever I recall her in the film, I get emotional and ecstatic. That's the power of her wonderful performance in Tamasha. Tara is independent,sexy,romantic and straight-forward. She could be described as an upgraded version of Meera from Love Aaj kal(Interestingly, Deepika's previous film with Imtiaz Ali). Though both Meera and Tara are very similar yet are different from each other in many aspects. Whenever she came in the scene,she always left a strong impact with her performance.

A special mention to what she did in the song Agar tum Saath Ho. She was unbelievable. Specially, her eyes and the angst,anxiety,concern,pain and guilt on her face was on point. I cried when she hugged Ved tightly, not letting him go. The lighting and costumes added depth to the this sequence. It is one of the best scenes/shot songs of the decade. 

Do watch her unforgettable performance her in the video of the song below.

She had a limited role in the film but made the an ever-lasting impression. Deepika deserved a lot more adulation of what she received for this film. Thank you Deepika for Tara..

7. Bajirao Mastani

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Co-Actor: Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra, Tanvi Azmi

I could not imagine anybody but Deepika as Mastani after watching the brilliant Bajirao Mastani. with another note-worthy performance, she proved that there is no one apart from her who can pull off emotional scenes with such aplomb. She looked very angelic and justified Mastani's character poignantly in the film.

Her expressions and dancing in the songs Deewani Mastani and Mohe rang do laal will be remembered forever. Her chemistry with Ranveer was phenomenal. It was great to see them create such crackling chemistry in few scenes they had together(as compared to Ram Leela). Whenever people will talk about Mastani, the first image in their minds would be of Deepika Padukone as Mastani.

Deewaani Mastani

Mohe rang do laal

There is no one like Deepika.. She has joined the list of great actresses of all time which includes Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Waheeda Rahman,Smita Patil, Shabana Azmi, Sridevi, Maduri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai etc. Her 10 year old journey has taught me personally so much, but i will never forget the first time I saw her on TV and that 'palat smile'.

More power to you Deepika for your film choices and hope you continue to make us proud. Thank you also for being an active advocate for battling mental illness. You are an inspiration to many girls/women today. Keep basking glory with your films and performances.

PS: Can't wait to see you in Padmavati... You truly are looking like a Goddess.. 

From your die-hard fan

Anila Velidimalla