DEEPIKA PADUKONE'S QUIET POWER

In an industry of noise, the Bollywood star leads with calm and conviction

- BY MANJUSHA RADHAKRISHNAN | Entertainment, Lifestyle and Sport Editor

Let's get one thing straight, Deepika Padukone doesn't need anyone's validation. She's the real OG boss lady, the kind of woman who doesn't need to shout to be heard.

In an industry that thrives on noise and inflated egos, she leads with calm, conviction, and class. A decade ago, when India barely acknowledged mental health as a real issue, Padukone stood up and said, “I’ve been there.” That one admission flipped the national conversation about acknowledging depression and anxiety as a disease that can be treated and managed. Fast forward to her recent CNBC interview, and she's still doing what she does best: leading uncomfortable but necessary conversations with grace.