As Deepika Padukone reaches the milestone of 40, the actress has decided to celebrate her birthday by giving back to the film industry that has played
a significant role in her life. Taking to social media, the Om Shanti Om star revealed her passion project, an experiential learning initiative called ‘On Set’, designed to support aspiring technicians across various sectors of Indian cinema and television. This program will provide opportunities for emerging professionals in writing, directing, cinematography, lighting, editing, sound design, art direction, costume design, hair styling, make-up, and production. In a video announcement sharing her vision, Deepika stated, "Last year, I shared a video about collaborating with all of you. We received some amazing submissions, which made me reflect and coincided with a time in my life when I felt ready to give back to the industry that has given me so much.”
The actress continued, “Over the past year, I have been deeply motivated to discover remarkable creative talent from across the nation and beyond, providing them with a platform to be recognized, heard, and experienced. So here I am with a 2.0 version of Create With Me, and our inaugural program under Create With Me is the ONSET initiative, an experiential learning program for technicians in all departments aspiring to build a career in Indian film and television."
The Bajirao Mastani actress further urged passionate and raw talent to step forward, highlighting the significance of dedication and commitment. "If you possess the passion, patience, and a readiness to commit, then this opportunity is for you. Submit your work, share a bit about yourself, and you could have the chance to learn from the best in the industry. I genuinely look forward to meeting the next generation of creative talent," she added.
On the professional side, Deepika Padukone will soon appear in Shah Rukh Khan’s King, directed by Siddharth Anand. The film also features Suhana Khan, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, and Jackie Shroff in significant roles, and is set for a 2026 release.
Deepika Padukone is celebrating her 40th birthday today, January 5, and is currently in New York with her husband Ranveer Singh, where the couple also welcomed the New Year. Earlier, a video of the actress celebrating her birthday with fans went viral on social media, showing her cutting a cake alongside them. The clip is from December 18, 2025, when Deepika celebrated a day of gratitude with a special meet-and-greet session for her fans.
