Om Shanti Om (2007)
Plot Summary
Om Shanti Om is a supernatural romantic drama starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, directed and written by Farah Khan. The story unfolds along two timelines, beginning with a junior actor working in the Hindi film industry in the 70s. Om Prakash “Omi” Makhija (Khan) falls in love with the superstar actress Shanti Priya (Padukone). Om and Shanti die in a fire orchestrated by the studio head, Mukesh Mehra (Arjun Rampal). Om is reincarnated as a superstar who then learns about Shanti and embarks on a quest to bring her killer to justice.
Why is it Special?
Om Shanti Om is Deepika Padukone’s debut movie, and she knocks it out of the park. Her chemistry with SRK is dazzling with romance and love. Here, like Khan, she also acts in a dual role, as Shanti and then her lookalike (Sandy). As Shanti, she brings her charm, dignity, and regality. With Sandy she infuses her playfulness and innocence, which bounces off well with the reincarnated version of superstar Om. Padukone enraptures the audience with her glamour and commands attention on screen, making this one of the top 10 movies of Deepika Padukone.
Tamasha (2015)
Plot Summary
Directed by Imtiaz Ali, Tamasha is a coming-of-age romantic drama where Padukone stars opposite Ranbir Kapoor. The story follows the journey of Ved (Kapoor), who meets Tara (Padukone) on a trip to Corsica. The two embark on a playful adventure on which Ved develops his love for storytelling and forms a deep connection with Tara. Unfortunately, Ved succumbs to the trappings of a monotonous corporate life. Ved and Tara meet again, and he regains the connection to his creative side once more. The relatable story and nuanced performance of Padukone made it one of the best Deepika Padukone movies.
Why is it Special?
Tamasha’s speciality lies in its humanity, groundedness, and its relatability. It is one of the more grounded roles of Deepika Padukone, where she portrays Tara with warmth and emotional depth. Tara is the most significant influence on Ved’s life by helping him reconnect with his creative side. Tara reinforces Ved’s identity as a creative person and helps him transform and confront his true self. Padukone delivers Tara with a layered performance and subtlety. Her portrayal is relatable and realistic, and one of the best romantic movies of Deepika Padukone.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)
Plot Summary
The second Padukone-Kapoor starrer on this list, this coming-of-age drama was directed by Ayan Mukerji. The movie revolves around Naina (Padukone), a studious medical student who struggles to express her feelings and has problems making friends. He meets Bunny (Kapoor), his childhood friend, on a trip to Manali, where she learns to let herself go. She reconnects with him years later through a common friend’s wedding, where they rediscover their love for each other. The movie explores themes of love, friendship, and connecting with your passion.
Why is it Special?
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is one of the most popular Deepika-Ranbir pair-ups in recent memory, filled with memorable moments and subliminal performances. Padukone nails her part as the hardworking medical student Naina. Her shyness, vulnerabilities, and eventual transformation from an extrovert to a more social personality are a sight to behold. Deepika Padukone exudes emotion in her scenes with Ranbir Kapoor, enriching the cinematic experience. Her nuanced and emotional depth make this one of the best romantic movies of Deepika Padukone.
Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013)
Plot Summary
Based on the famous play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Ram-Leela follows the story of Ram (Ranveer Singh) and Leela (Padukone), two star-crossed lovers from rival gangster families. Set in Gujarat, this Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial also focuses on gang rivalry and the consequences for offspring born amidst such gang war. Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela is praised for its lead’s chemistry, production value, cinematography, and songs.
Why is it Special?
This movie marks the first collaboration of Padukone, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and Ranveer Singh. Deepika portrays Leela with dignity and innocence of a woman stuck between family rivalry and navigating her way to her lover. Her chemistry with Ranveer Singh’s Ram is electric, passionate, and mesmerising, which makes this film one of the iconic Deepika Padukone hit movies. The mesmerising visuals and acting made this film one of the highest-grossing Deepika Padukone movies of its time.
Piku (2015)
Plot Summary
Piku is a comedy-drama directed by Shoojit Sircar, starring Deepika Padukone in the titular role. The story follows the journey of Piku, a Delhi entrepreneur who lives with her father, Bhashkor Banerjee (Amitabh Bachchan). Piku balances her career and her father’s antics and hypochondriac tendencies. The movie also focuses on the chemistry between Piku and a taxi business owner named Rana Chaudhary (Irrfan Khan). The film is an excellent take on a slice of the genre and forms one of the best Deepika Padukone movies owing to her performance.
Why is it Special?
Piku platforms Padukone’s acting capabilities through the portrayal of a modern independent woman. Her performance is understated, nuanced, and realistic, navigating the complexities of career, family responsibilities, and relationships. Deepika Padukone shines in her scenes with Bachchan, where she embodies a daughter who is both frustrated and attached to her elderly father. Her chemistry with Khan’s Rana Chaudhary also forms an essential pillar for the movie. Upon release, the critics praised Padukone’s performance, making it easily one of the top 10 movies of Deepika Padukone.
Bajirao Mastani (2015)
Plot Summary
Bajirao Mastani is the second collaboration of Padukone with Bhansali, along with Ranveer Singh. The movie is a historical epic centering around the love story of Peshwa Bajirao and his wife Mastani (Padukone). The film also explores the dynamics between Mastani and Bajirao’s first wife, Kashibai (played by Priyanka Chopra), and Mastani’s navigation of the intricacies and politics of the Maratha court. Mastani also has to face prejudice from the people in the court due to her religious identity, portraying the religious divide prevalent during that time.
Why is it Special?
Bajirao Mastani is one of the best romantic movies of Deepika Padukone, where she portrays Mastani with majesty and courage. She is visually captivating and emotionally compelling, adding nuance and drama through her performance. Padukone portrays Mastani with the grace of a warrior queen who is equally fierce as she is vulnerable. Deepika injects Mastani with dignity, which roots her love for Bajirao in valor, not fragility.
Padmaavat (2018)
Plot Summary
Padmaavat is a historical epic directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh. Padmaavat narrates the story of Queen Padmavati, her marriage to Ratan Singh, and her courage in the face of Sultan Alauddin Khilji’s invasion. The film is inspired by a popular legend where the Sultan, hearing of her beauty, invades Merwar. The Sultan tries to enslave Padmavati, and a war ensues between the two rulers. When Alauddin Khilji defeats the king of Merwar, Padmavati, along with other Rajput women of the court, sacrifices herself on the pyre.
Why is it Special?
This is Deepika Padukone’s first big-budget movie where she was the sole lead role. She broke ground as one of the first actresses to command such a screen presence. Padukone portrays Padmavati with regality and honour, with the right amount of stoicism. She is the crux of the movie, and she delivers it with panache and glory. The film went on to become one of the highest-grossing Deepika Padukone movies despite the controversy and limited release.
Love Aaj Kal (2009)
Plot Summary
The second Imtiaz Ali directorial on the list, Love Aaj Kal, is a romantic comedy starring Padukone opposite Saif Ali Khan. The story unfolds in two parallel timelines, mainly focusing on Jai and Meera, a London-based couple who are in love but not ready to commit to each other. Jai meets Veer Singh, who narrates his exploits to woo his lover, Harleen Kaur. As the two narratives unfold in the past and present, Jai and Meera fall in love once more. They overcome their reluctance, understanding that commitment to true love is worth it and a testament to different expressions of love. The film is also emblematic language and gestures of love throughout the ages.
Why is it Special?
The movie is special for its relatable characters and for making connections from the past to the present. Deepika grounds Meera in reality and makes her chemistry with Saif’s Jai organic with tender moments and playful banter. Padukone’s Meera transitions from lover to friend and back to lover with subtlety and composure without slipping into melodrama. The memorable moments make this one of the best romantic movies of Deepika Padukone.
Cocktail (2012)
Plot Summary
Cocktail is a Hindi romantic comedy directed by Homi Adajania, where Deepika Padukone plays the role of Veronica Melaney. Veronica is friends with Meera, a traditional Indian girl, and she allows Meera to stay in her house. Gautam (Saif Ali Khan), Veronica’s lover, becomes a part of their life. However, complications begin when Gautam falls in love with Meera (Diana Penty) and a love triangle ensues. The movie focuses on Veronica’s journey from feeling betrayed to eventual acceptance.
Why is it Special?
Deepika Padukone gives one of her career-defining performances in Cocktail as Veronica. Veronica is bold, unapologetic, and confident, which also hides a vulnerable interior, breaking the “good girl’ typecast. Padukone commands the screen every time she’s visible and portrays Veronica with charm and personality. She also performs Veronica with complexity in line with the character’s arc from being a victim of betrayal to acceptance and moving on.
Pathaan (2023)
Plot Summary
Directed by Siddharth Anand, Pathaan is an action-thriller in which Padukone reunites with her debut co-star Shah Rukh Khan. Here she plays the ISI agent Rubina Mohsin to stop a rogue RAW agent Jim from attacking India via a bioweapon. The movie jumps to and fro between timelines, showing flashbacks of the titular character. The film generally received favourable reviews from critics, garnering over 1000 crores at the box office, becoming one of the highest-grossing Deepika Padukone movies.
Why is it Special?
The movie is a quintessential blockbuster that Deepika Padukone is famous for. She aptly fits into the role of ISI agent Mohsin with all the qualities of an action star. She’s sleek, confident, and enigmatic with a captivating screen presence that mesmerised the audience. Padukone shows her martial arts skills from hand-to-hand combat to high-speed chase scenes. She brings the proper physicality and athleticism the role needs. What stands out is her vulnerability, where she forgoes her stoicism so that the audience can connect with her at an emotional level.
Conclusion
Deepika Padukone is one of the rare actresses who has balanced her portfolio between mainstream blockbusters and memorable gemstones. Her roles and performances have been impactful and powerful, with a range of characters living in different worlds. With her charm and magnetic screen presence, she doesn’t just deliver performance; she changes the landscape of contemporary Bollywood. With such a prolific range of movies under her belt, wouldn’t it be amazing if you could watch them on one platform? DHOOMDB can solve that problem for you. Watch and celebrate Deepika Padukone’s cinematic gems on DHOOMDB. We have all the movies mentioned above on our platform and more. Check out our movie collection across various genres and Indian languages, and our music collection. Sign up for DHOOMDB and start watching.
