At the Waves Summit 2025, a major event focused on boosting India’s media and entertainment industry, Bollywood stars Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan, and filmmaker Karan Johar came together for a special discussion. This two-day summit featured voices from around the world and aimed to shape the future of Indian cinema with global support.
One of the most memorable parts of the event was the heartwarming chat between Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. The two shared stories about their personal journeys in Bollywood, giving fans and attendees a closer look at their experiences in the film industry.
During the conversation, the topic of nepotism and the long-running “insider vs outsider” debate came up. Deepika shared her views on the subject. She said that terms like “insider” and “outsider” are being talked about more nowadays, but they weren’t used as much when she started out.
“These are terms we seem to be discussing now. When I began, it was just a new world for me. I was a 17-year-old girl from Bangalore,” Deepika said.
Before making her Bollywood debut, Deepika had already acted in a Kannada film, Aishwarya (2006). But it was her debut in Om Shanti Om alongside Shah Rukh Khan that made her a household name. She opened up about how the opportunity came to her without much effort on her part.
She recalled, “Farah Khan showed interest in casting me. I was moving between Bangalore and Mumbai at the time. She didn’t even audition me. I met her once, and she said, ‘I want you to meet Shah Rukh.’ He was in Australia filming Chak De! India then. She said we’d have a meeting after he returned. That’s how it happened. For me, it just came together.”
Deepika also spoke about how her background as a model helped her get noticed, but it was her passion and commitment that truly helped her succeed. “Yes, I was a model before that. They had seen some of my work. But I never felt like an outsider trying to break in. What mattered were things I could control – my hard work, determination, and passion,” she said.
She also shared a fond memory from the set of Om Shanti Om, recalling how warmly Shah Rukh welcomed her. “He made me feel so loved and comfortable on set,” she said.
During the session, Shah Rukh also praised Deepika, especially in her new role as a mother. His kind words brought smiles to the audience, and it was clear how much he respected her both as an actor and as a person.
The Waves Summit 2025 turned out to be a platform where stars not only discussed their careers but also addressed real issues within the film industry. With voices like Deepika and Shah Rukh sharing their honest stories, the event gave fans and aspiring artists a rare and valuable look into what it takes to build a successful career in Bollywood.
For more such updates, stay tuned to DNA Bollywood!
