Deepika Padukone has been one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars for over a decade. She has delivered massive blockbusters, led big-budget films and shaped pop culture with her presence. Yet today, the markers of success that once defined her journey no longer hold the same meaning.
In a candid chat with Harper’s Bazaar, the actress revealed that she is now far more selective about what she signs and it has nothing to do with scale or box-office expectations.
Deepika Padukone On Why Big Films Don’t Excite Her Anymore
Deepika shared that she has outgrown the obsession with numbers and commercial milestones. She admitted that the size of a film does not motivate her the way it once did. She said, “At this stage, it’s not about that anymore. It’s not about the Rs 100-crore films, or even the Rs 500-Rs 600 crore ones.”
For Deepika, the turning point appears to be her evolving understanding of work-life balance, fair treatment on sets and emotional alignment with the stories she chooses.
On Walking Away From Mega Projects
Recently, it was revealed that Deepika stepped away from two massive films opposite Prabhas (Spirit and Kalki 2898 AD. While the industry buzz pointed towards scheduling and creative differences, her own words hint at a bigger picture. She has been vocal about fair pay and humane working hours, and these principles now guide her decisions.
Expanding on this, she explained, “Anything that doesn’t feel true to me doesn’t cut it. Sometimes people offer a lot of money and think that’s enough, but it isn’t. And the reverse is also true — some things may not be commercially big, but I believe in the people or the message, and I’ll stand by it.”
Deepika is not only rethinking the roles she takes but also how she contributes to the industry’s ecosystem. Through KA Productions, her banner behind films like Chhapaak, she is investing in stories that might not be conventional Bollywood spectacles but carry strong voices and meaningful narratives.
She shared, “What excites me is empowering other talent. My team and I are now focused on that — enabling storytelling and supporting other creative minds, writers, directors, and even new producers. That’s what feels meaningful to me now.”
Deepika Padukone Calls Out Toxic Work Culture
Deepika also addressed a long-standing issue of the glorification of overworking in the film industry.
She said, “We have normalised overworking. We mistake burnout for commitment. Eight hours of work a day is enough for the human body and mind. Only when you’re healthy can you give your best. Bringing a burnt-out person back into the system helps no one.”
On the work front, Deepika has Shah Rukh Khan starrer King and Allu Arjun AA22 X A6 lined up.
