1. Om Shanti Om (2007) Starring Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan
Deepika kick-started her acting career in Bollywood on a high note, as she was cast opposite the superstar of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan. Other than looking absolutely incredible onscreen, the debutant left audiences astounded with her miraculous acting potential. Om Shanti Om did go on to become a commercial success, which launched Deepika's career in Bollywood off to a flying start. The film till today, is noted as one of Deepika's best films, in which she acted ever so gracefully and naturally, proving she was more than just a pretty face!
Ratings: 7.5/10
2. Love Aaj Kal (2009) Starring Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan
After the disappointing turn out of Chandni Chowk to China in 2009, Deepika came back stronger than ever before in Imtiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal. Paired opposite another Khan of the film fraternity, Deepika enacted the role of a modern-day youngster's attitude towards being in a relationship, and eventually falling in love. She enacted the role superbly well, and was the perfect actress to be cast opposite Saif. They both put their heart into making this script work, as critics applauded Deepika and Saif's onscreen chemistry and fine performances.
Ratings: 7.5/10
3. Break Ke Baad (2010) Starring Deepika Padukone and Imran Khan
Break Ke Baad was the 2010 romantic drama that I believe totally worked in Deepika's favour. Although this was another romantic movie, Deepika's character was displayed as someone with a short fuse, argumentative in nature, and ever so career driven. The romance as such was a mere side story to everything else going on in the female protagonists life. I loved the way she performed in this film, and her very natural portrayal of the 'girl next door' worked well in Deepika's favour.
Ratings: 8/10
4. Aarakshan (2011) Starring Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan
A highly powerful and socially driven film, in which Deepika had the opportunity to prove herself as a far more versatile actress. A story depicting the class and caste system in India, had very little to do with romance, and was in fact a mere subplot to the overall story. In this case I'd have thought the quintessential Deepika would be uncomfortable with playing a role out of her comfort zone, however, she undoubtedly proved audiences wrong, and gave us a power-packed performance in a very emotionally moving avatar.
Rating: 8/10
5. Cocktail (2012) Starring Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan
Her most recent of success stories has to be Cocktail, in which she performed outstandingly well! Deepika played the very difficult role of a character anguished of love, a desperate, needy, yet very bold and brash girl, leading a very questionable life. It's not easy to put yourself in the position of someone quenching for love, yet Deepika managed to play this character ever so naturally, without over acting. She looked uber sexy, performed fantastically, and was key to making this film one of the box office successes of 2012!
Ratings: 9/10
With four more films under her belt releasing across the year, I'm sure Deepika has more successes to look forward to! I look forward to seeing more of her film appearances over the years to come, and wish her the very best luck and good wishes for many more birthdays to come too!
Until next time, is there any other film starring Deepika that are considered her best till date?
Happy Birthday once again Deepika!
Kin x
