New Delhi, Actress Deepika Padukone on Friday said her international career has been shaped by a conscious effort to represent India on its own terms while rejecting global stereotypes about the country or its people.
Speaking with designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee at CNBC TV’s Global Leadership Summit on Friday evening, the 38-year-old actor said he has personally experienced the “clichés” that often shape Western perceptions of India – from prejudice to comments on one’s accent and skin colour.
“It’s been very deliberate… I was very clear about taking India to the world, but the India I know. For example, going to Hollywood and getting into that industry, or doing it in a way that’s expected of us or appropriate for a global audience, was something I never wanted to do, even if it took more time,” Padukone said.
She added, “I think the thing that bothered me whenever I went to the West was this idea they had about India. It’s so different from the country I know. I’ve experienced all those stereotypes first-hand, whether it’s related to casting, our accent or the color of my skin. I was clear that I wanted to do it in my own way and on my own terms.”
The actor made his Hollywood debut in the 2017 hit “XXX: Return of Xander Cage”, co-starring Vin Diesel. Since then, she has been a regular at major international events, from serving on the competition jury at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in 2022 to unveiling the trophy at the FIFA World Cup Final in Qatar the same year.
Padukone also became the house ambassador of Louis Vuitton and later the global spokesperson for Cartier. She has appeared on major international magazine covers, walked red carpets at the Oscars and BAFTAs.
The actor recalled a key moment during his Louis Vuitton global campaign, in which he was featured on the hoardings of Los Angeles’ Sunset Boulevard.
She said, “It was strange but at the same time I felt incredibly proud to see a brown face on the hoardings of a global luxury brand. More than a personal victory, it felt like a victory for every single Indian woman.”
Padukone also talked about becoming the celebrity voice of Meta AI.
She said, “It’s interesting because when I came into the industry, I was someone whose voice was made fun of and now suddenly I’ve become the voice of Meta AI. It’s weird… and so is my accent. But I continued to embrace it. And I think that’s how and why that happened.”
When asked about the role of artificial intelligence in cinema, Padukone said she is both optimistic and cautious.
“I’m very excited about the possibilities. The only thing it can’t replace is human emotion. That’s the only place where AI won’t be allowed or matched… because you can’t put a soul into AI.”
Describing himself as “an old soul”, he said that human expression remains irreplaceable.
Padukone said, “I’m all for embracing everything that is new and forward. When it comes to the human soul and spirit, I think it’s irreplaceable. But other than that, I’m very excited about the possibilities.”
The actor will next be seen in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer “King” as well as an untitled project from filmmaker Atlee, in which she will be seen alongside Allu Arjun.
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