Deepika Padukone, who made her international debut with the 2017 Hollywood action film XXX: Return of Xander Cage, recently shared her thoughts on how India is still viewed through outdated stereotypes in the West. Speaking at CNBC’s Global Leadership Summit, the actor said she was conscious from the start that she wanted to take the India she knew to the global stage, not the clichéd version often portrayed internationally.
Deepika recalled noticing the limited and sometimes superficial understanding of Indian culture when she began working in Hollywood. “What bothered me every time I went to the West was this idea of India they have. It is so different from the country that I know,” she said. She pointed out how stereotypes around accents, skin tone, and casting were still prevalent. However, she explained that instead of changing herself to fit what was expected, she chose to stay true to her identityeven if it meant a slower path.
Beyond acting in an international film, Deepika has steadily strengthened her global presence. She is a global ambassador for Louis Vuitton, served on the main competition jury at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in 2022, and unveiled the official trophies at the FIFA World Cup final that same year. In 2026, she will also be honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Motion Pictures category.
On the film front, Deepika is set to appear in Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film King and will also collaborate with Allu Arjun in Atlee’s next project, tentatively titled AA22xA6.