Deepika Padukone On Being Stereotyped In Hollywood: 'Experienced Cliches To Do With Accent, Skin Colour'

Actor Deepika Padukone said her international career has been shaped by her conscious decision to represent India in her own way, rejecting global stereotypes about the country and its people. Speaking

at CNBC TV’s Global Leadership Summit with designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, she shared that she has personally faced the clichés that often shape Western views of India, from casting biases to comments about her accent and skin colour.

Padukone explained that she was clear about taking India to the world, but wanted to show the India she knows, not just what suits a global audience. “It’s very deliberate… I was very clear about taking India to the world, but the India that I know. For example, moving to Hollywood and getting into that industry, or doing it in a way that has been expected of us or suits a global audience was something I never wanted to do, even if it took longer,” said Padukone.

“I think what bothered me every time I went to the West was this sort of idea of India they have. It is so different from the country that I know. I have experienced all those cliches firsthand, whether it has to do with casting, our accent or the colour of my skin. I was clear that I wanted to do it my way and on my terms,” she added.

Padukone made her Hollywood debut in the 2017 film ‘XXX: Return of Xander Cage’ with Vin Diesel and has since appeared at major international events, including serving on the Cannes Film Festival jury and unveiling trophies at the FIFA World Cup final. She became a House Ambassador for Louis Vuitton and a global spokesperson for Cartier, appeared on international magazine covers, and walked red carpets at the Oscars and BAFTAs.

She recalled feeling proud to see her face on a Louis Vuitton billboard in Los Angeles, saying it felt like a victory for every Indian woman. Padukone also spoke about becoming the celebrity voice of Meta AI, noting that her voice was once mocked, but now she is the voice of Meta AI. She said she continued to own her accent and believes that’s why she succeeded.

On artificial intelligence in cinema, Padukone said she is excited but cautious, believing that AI cannot replace human emotion or soul. She called herself an ‘old soul’ and said human expression is irreplaceable, but she is excited about the possibilities outside of that. Padukone will next be seen in the Shah Rukh Khan film ‘King’ and an untitled project with filmmaker Atlee and Allu Arjun.