Deepika Padukone is now at a stage in her career where box office numbers no longer define her choices. After years of delivering massive hits and being part of big-budget films, she says she’s no longer impressed by the idea of ₹500-crore or even ₹600-crore projects and has even walked away from two major films with Prabhas. In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Deepika said, “It’s not about ₹100 crore or ₹500–600 crore films anymore.”
What matters to her now is creativity and helping others grow. She explained that her focus has shifted toward empowering new talent, writers, directors, and producers and creating space for fresh stories. Through her banner KA Productions, she has already backed films like Chhapaak and 83, proving she wants to support impactful and meaningful cinema, not just massy big numbers.
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Deepika believes honesty is more important than scale.
“Sometimes people offer a lot of money and think that’s enough but it isn’t,” she said. She added that she’s willing to support smaller projects if she believes in the team or the message. The clarity she has today comes from experience. She admits she may not have always been this sure about her decisions.
“Do I look back sometimes and think, ‘What was I thinking?’ Yes. And maybe 10 years from now, I’ll question today’s choices too. But right now, they feel honest.”
Deepika also highlighted a major issue in the industry, overworking. She believes Bollywood has normalized burnout and mistaken it for dedication. “Eight hours of work a day is enough. Only when you’re healthy can you give your best,” she said.
This played a huge part in her stepping away from both the films Spirit and Kalki 2898 AD, reportedly due to concerns about fair pay and unrealistic work schedules. For Deepika, meaningful choices, healthy working conditions, and creative integrity now matter more than box office milestones.
On the work front, Deepika Padukone will next be seen in King opposite Shah Rukh Khan which is already turning out to be one of the most awaited projects.
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