More than just an Indian actor — why Deepika Padukone deserves to be Cannes jury

For the first time this year, Deepika Padukone will not be visiting the French Riviera to endorse a film or a beauty brand. She is now part of the Cannes jury. From ‘ek chutki sindoor’ to being the girl with a lion tattoo in the 2017 Hollywood film XXX: Return of Xander Cage, Padukone has established herself as a force to reckon with not just in Bollywood but much beyond it. She is a living embodiment of the phrase — “with great power comes great responsibility” and, like wine, has gotten better through the years.

In 2018, she became the only Indian actress to feature in the Time 100 Influential People in the World. And now, as one of India’s best actresses, she will deservedly join eight crème de la crème artists across the globe on a jury panel for the 2022 Cannes Film Festival next month.

“Actor, producer, philanthropist, and entrepreneur…,” reads the bio under Padukone’s name released by Festival de Cannes. From making her debut in 2006 with Kannada film Aishwarya, Padukone’s career trajectory is one for the books. As an outsider in the film industry, she has established herself as one of the most successful female actors in just 16 years, appearing in 38 films so far. But her journey has not entirely been hunky-dory.

Also Read: Deepika Padukone showed you can rattle power with silence too – if you just stand up

From Om Shanti Om to Cannes

After the blockbuster Om Shanti Om (2007), films like Housefull (2010), Race 2 (2013), Chandni Chowk to China (2009) put her in the standard box of ‘heroine’ in a film that is marketed and manufactured as a big hero film. But if there is one thing we know about her, it’s that she cannot be typecast into a ‘role’. Her carefree and fiercely independent Veronica in Cocktail (2012) to a diametrical opposite Naina in Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani (2013) gives a glimpse of the abundance of talent she carries.

Ditching the more predictable route of taking after her father Prakash Padukone, a legendary badminton player, Deepika chose to shift gears towards Mumbai — the city of dreams. After initial hiccups, Padukone found her groove in 2012, with Cocktail and from thereon, what stayed with her audience is a long list of rich, fleshed-out characters. Padukone found the sweet spot between being an ‘actor’ and being a ‘superstar’ — a delicate balance not many can handle.

Her contemporaries —  Sonam Kapoor and Katrina Kaif — stepped into the film industry roughly around the same time. And much like Padukone, they also had to play hero’s heroine in their initial films. Not to take away from Kapoor or Kaif’s talent or journey, but Padukone clearly emerged as a more versatile actor devoid of any ‘star’ backing. Someone who kept perfecting her craft, listening to critics, and making better film choices. Perhaps that’s the reason she was chosen in the Cannes jury.

Padukone will become the fourth Indian actor to be included in the jury that will present the distinguished award Palme d’Or honours at the film festival’s closing, which is scheduled to be held from 17 to 28 May. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, in 2003, was the first Indian artist to be part of the Cannes Film Festival’s jury. This was followed by Nandita Das (2005), Sharmila Tagore (2009) and Vidya Balan (2013).

Also Read: Not fair to make only actors speak up on social or political issues, says Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone and her ‘global’ appeal

Although several Bollywood superstars can boast of massive fan following, there are only a handful of ‘desi’ artists who have made it to the West. Apart from Padukone, the only other name that comes to mind is Priyanka Chopra. While Padukone may just be ‘one-movie-old’ in Hollywood years but her global fandom is gaining mileage day by day.  In Vin Diesel’s words, “Deepika is the best Earth has to offer. She’s not just here to represent India; she’s here to represent the world.”

In the last decade, Padukone has not just limited herself as an actress. In 2014, she confessed to having gone through depression — a rarity for a mainstream actor to open up about. In the following year, she launched a mental health foundation, LiveLoveLaugh Foundation. In a recent interview with film critic Anupama Chopra, she also said, “Work-life balance is important and I don’t intend to burn out.” One can argue that an actor of her stature can afford to relax and take up fewer projects. But in a world where hustle culture is glorified — look no further than billionaire Kim Kardashian — it speaks volumes when a public figure such as Padukone says it.

Not only mental health, but she is also not afraid to ‘stand out’ when it comes to battling political forces. In 2020, she stood alongside protesting students at Jawaharlal Nehru University while she was in Delhi on a promotional visit for Chhapaak (2020). One does not have to be a public relations expert to predict that such a step would cost her dearly. After all, she comes from an industry where people usually shy away from speaking up on burning social issues fearing the backlash.

With Padukone, you don’t just get a successful actor but a responsible global citizen. It is noteworthy that Festival de Cannes was smart enough to note her achievements as a philanthropist and an influential person.

Since the launch of her own production house, Ka Productions, she has spoken about the changes she wishes to introduce in the industry — compensation for overtime, equitable working conditions, nutritious food options and healthy work-life balance. Judging from her journey so far, she is here to break the norm and not follow it. Her representation at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival shows that her story is far from over — the sky’s the ceiling for her.

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(Edited by Srinjoy Dey)