On January 5, 2026, Deepika Padukone turns 40, celebrating a remarkable journey from Bollywood blockbusters and global recognition to motherhood and mental health advocacy, including her fan meet, AA22xA6, and role as India’s first Mental Health Ambassador.
New Delhi: As Deepika Padukone celebrates her 40th birthday on January 5, 2026, the Bollywood icon looks back on a remarkable 20-year journey filled with hit films, personal achievements, and meaningful advocacy. On the eve of her milestone, she hosted an intimate fan meet in Mumbai. She cut a massive cake to “Aankhon Mein Teri” from her debut film Om Shanti Om, booked round-trip flights for over 50 fans from across India, and gifted 5-kg hampers worth ₹15,000 each. Emotional moments included promising a Paris trip to one fan and a design collaboration to another, while sharing her hands-on motherhood experiences. She also unveiled the first look of her upcoming sci-fi action film AA22xA6 with Allu Arjun, directed by Atlee, and expressed excitement for husband Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar Part 2.
Early Life and Entry into Entertainment
Deepika Padukone was born to badminton legend Prakash Padukone and travel agent Ujjala Padukone. She grew up in Bangalore after relocating from Denmark at age 1. Her sister Anisha is a golfer, and her grandfather Ramesh was a badminton official.
In her youth, Deepika was a competitive badminton player, but she shifted to modeling after school. She won Kingfisher Model of the Year in 2005 and appeared in ads such as Liril.
Her acting debut came with Aishwarya (2006), but it was Om Shanti Om (2007) that launched her to stardom.
Career Highlights and Achievements
Deepika’s filmography spans more than 30 films. Some of her blockbusters include:
| Film | Worldwide Gross | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai Express | ₹3.95 billion | 2013 |
| Bajirao Mastani | ₹3.5 billion | 2015 |
| Padmaavat | ₹5.45 billion | 2018 |
| Pathaan | ₹10 billion+ | 2023 |
| Kalki 2898 AD | ₹10 billion+ | 2024 |
She has won three Filmfare Awards:
| Award | Film | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Best Female Debut | Om Shanti Om | 2008 |
| Best Actress | Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela | 2014 |
| Best Actress | Piku | 2016 |
Her Hollywood debut in xXx (2017) grossed US$345M. In 2024, she was named the Most Viewed Indian Star on IMDb. Her upcoming project is AA22xA6 (2026 release). Deepika advocates 8-hour workdays and sometimes exits projects to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Personal Life and Motherhood
Deepika dated Ranbir Kapoor (2008-2009) before marrying Ranveer Singh in 2018 in Italy. Their daughter was born on September 8, 2024. She describes motherhood as both challenging and fulfilling, remaining hands-on despite receiving help. A practicing Hindu, Deepika values temples and family deeply.
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Mental Health Advocacy and Philanthropy
After opening up about her depression in 2014, Deepika founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation in 2015. The foundation has supported over 21,000 people through rural and school programs.
On October 10, 2025, she was appointed India’s first Mental Health Ambassador, promoting equitable access to mental healthcare through Tele MANAS.
Her awards and advocacy include:
• WEF Crystal Award (2020)
• Time100 Impact List (2022)
• Supporting JNU protests (2020)
• Opposing the CAA
• Supporting Black Lives Matter
Philanthropy efforts include World 10K, Greenathon, Olympic Gold Quest, and FIFA Trophy (2022).
Business Ventures and Global Recognition
Deepika launched 82°E in 2022 with $7.5M funding. She also invested in Blu Smart and Epigamia. Her brand endorsements include being the first Indian ambassador for Louis Vuitton (2020) and Cartier.
Other recognitions:
• Time 100 (2018)
• Forbes Highest-Paid Actor (2018, ₹1.12B)
• Net worth ₹500 crore (2023)
• Chairperson of MAMI (2019-2021)
• Appeared at Met Gala (2017-2019)
This milestone at 40 highlights Deepika Padukone’s resilience—from overcoming depression to embracing motherhood and mental health advocacy. As she prepares for her 2026 comebacks, her influence in cinema, philanthropy, and society continues to grow.
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