Deepika Padukone Reveals How She Bagged Her Debut Role In 'Om Shanti Om' Without An Audition

The classic film, Om Shanti Om, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, has been a fan favourite since its release back in 2007. However, do you remember ‘Shanti Priya’ from Om Shanti Om? It was played by the then-debutant, Deepika Padukone. Recently, at the WAVES 2025 Summit, the Bollywood actress revealed how she had landed the role without an audition. It was Farah Khan who chose Deepika to cast for her film, Om Shanti Om, opposite Bollywood superstar, Shah Rukh Khan. The newbie mom took a trip down her memory lane when she made her debut in Bollywood.

Deepika Padukone shared how she made her entry in Bollywood

At the WAVES 2025 Summit, Deepika joined Shah Rukh Khan in a panel discussion titled The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler, moderated by filmmaker, Karan Johar. During the discussion, Deepika shared how she came to Mumbai from Bangalore when she was just a 16-17 year old girl. It was filmmaker, Farah Khan who first showed interest in casting her in her film.

The duo sat for a meeting as well when Shah Rukh Khan was busy shooting in Australia for his film, Chak De! India. The gorgeous actress also revealed how she landed the role without giving an audition. Taking a trip down memory lane, Deepika shared:

“I was a 16-17 year old girl, came from Bangalore, and Farah Khan showed interest in casting me in a movie. I was transitioning between Bangalore and Mumbai at the time. I remember doing a meeting with her once. For me, it just happened because I was a model before that. They’d seen some of my work.”

Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan shared their views during the insider vs outsider debate

Both Deepika and Shah Rukh shared their views on terms like ‘insider’ or ‘outsider’ that are prevalent in the film industry. Deepika shared that when she started her acting career, it was just a new world for her. The only thing she believed back then was the hard work and dedication that got paid off. Sharing the same, Deepika said:

“These are terms that we seem to be discussing now, insider-outsider. When I began, it was just a new world. I never felt like I was an outsider trying to make my place in a new industry. I had the dedication, I had the passion, I had the determination, the hard work. Those were the things in my control. And those were the things that I applied to what I was passionate about.”

Shah Rukh, too, joined Deepika by sharing his journey in Bollywood. The actor made his debut in Bollywood with the film, Deewana in 1992. Sharing how he made his entry into Bollywood, the actor said:

“Jab main yahan (Mumbai) aaya tha, I never thought ki main outsider hoon iss liye main iss duniya ka hissa nahi ban sakta… I believed this is my world… Mujhe laga yeh duniya meri hai… yeh jagah meri hai.”

Deepika Padukone’s professional achievements

Deepika Padukone was born on January 5, 1986, in Copenhagen, Denmark. She was the daughter of renowned badminton player, Prakash Padukone. Her family shifted to Bangalore when she was just eleven months old. Deepika was a national-level badminton player until she gave up sport at the age of 16 and pursued her love for acting. She made her debut in Bollywood with the film, Om Shanti Om, and the rest is history. The actress shared with many Bollywood stars, including Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. Deepika also made her debut in Hollywood with the 2017 film, xXx: Return Of Xander Cage, starring Vin Diesel.

What are your thoughts on Deepika Padukone's revelations about getting her debut role in Bollywood without an audition? Let us know.

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