Bollywood’s beloved actress Deepika Padukone, who has recently graced cinemas with box office successes such as ‘Jawan’ and ‘Pathaan’, is poised to capture the audience’s imagination with her high-flying role in the much-anticipated film ‘Fighter’. In light of her engagement with this action-packed cinematic endeavor, Padukone recently opened up about her experience working in movies that are predominantly male-oriented, and the evolving concept of feminism within the industry.
The conversation about feminism in cinema, according to Padukone, requires a fresh perspective. Specifically, she opined that success neither for women nor for men is conceivable in isolation—they are interdependent. The import of her words suggests an underlying call for redefining the feminist narrative in a way that honors this symbiotic relationship.
The actor’s role in ‘Fighter’ follows her involvement in other male-led blockbusters, including the upcoming ‘Singham Again’ and the much talked about sci-fi feature ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, starring alongside Prabhas. Despite this string of collaborations, Deepika remains a strong proponent of female-driven narratives. She teased fans with the prospect of ‘Shakti Shetty,’ a project under Rohit Shetty’s cinematic universe, anticipated to be a standout female-centric film.
Responding to whether she could return to more character-driven, nuanced roles such as the one in ‘Piku’, Padukone expressed optimism. Highlighting that great storytelling is contingent on writers’ penning down those stories, she placed faith in the industry’s ability to move past the uncertainties engendered by the COVID-19 pandemic towards a diverse film landscape.
The actress’s forthcoming feature, ‘Fighter’, casts her as Squadron Leader Minal Rathore, co-starring with Hrithik Roshan and Anil Kapoor, and portrays the valorous lives of those in the Indian Air Force. With a trailer already stirring up excitement, fans can also relish in the film’s music album, featuring tracks like ‘Sher Khul Gaye’ and the melodious ‘Heer Aasmani’. However, it’s worth mentioning that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has recommended four cuts and assigned the movie a U/A certificate, yet this hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm surrounding the film’s release.
Padukone’s impactful presence in action and drama genres alike has contributed to her status as one of the most versatile and respected actresses in contemporary Indian cinema. As she forges ahead with ‘Fighter’, her commitment to dynamic roles and the portrayal of complex female characters stands testament to her vision of a cinema that embraces the richness of diverse narratives and the imperative of redefining what feminism looks like on the big screen.
Affirming her belief in the collaborative spirit of filmmaking, she underscored that actors are merely vehicles expressing the vision of their directors, the depth of scripts, and the emotions of the characters they embody. Through such expressions, the interplay between actor and story unfolds, revealing a shared journey that transcends gender and spotlights human endeavor.
With ‘Fighter’ setting its course for theatrical dominance, Deepika Padukone remains the heartbeat of the story, as her nuanced approach to storytelling and representation ensures that each performance, irrespective of scale, remains grounded in authenticity and shared human experience. As she so fittingly puts it, “you invest in people, you invest in the journey,” and it is this investment that continues to propel her and the industry to chart new territories, both cinematically and culturally.
