Young actors continue to look up to Deepika Padukone not just for her screen presence but for the path she has carved for women in cinema. Adding to the growing list of voices admiring her journey, Palak Tiwari recently opened up about why Deepika remains her biggest inspiration and reflected on the kind of femininity and strength she represents on screen.
Speaking about what makes Deepika stand apart, Palak said:
“Nobody does it like her. You know, I think she is your quintessential heroine. And what I love about her is that she’s never tried to be a hero. Because being a heroine in itself is so powerful. You know, and heroines exist for a reason. You know, not every girl needs to beat up a man. You know, I love that even when she’s done strong roles, and she’s done such strong roles. They are strong because of what makes them a woman. You know, even when she was in, I think it was Jawan, right? With that whole jail sequence. How strong. She didn’t beat anyone up. She didn’t do anything. But that’s a woman, right? And that’s the crux of a woman.”
Palak’s words reflect a sentiment increasingly shared by the younger generation of actors. Over the years, Deepika has built a filmography filled with memorable performances while becoming one of the most recognisable Indian faces globally.
This isn’t the first time a young actor has publicly acknowledged Deepika’s influence. Ananya Panday had previously spoken about how she idolised Deepika while growing up and looked up to her journey and achievements in the industry. More recently, Rasha Thadani has also been vocal about her admiration for Deepika, often expressing how she is captivated by her screen presence and the effortless impact she creates every time she walks into a room.
Today, Deepika’s influence goes beyond films. From representing India on global platforms to helping expand the presence of Indian celebrities internationally, she has become a cultural figure whose success story continues to inspire a new generation of performers.