For decades, the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame has immortalized global legends—those who have left their mark across the worlds of cinema, music, and the performing arts. Now, in a first for Indian cinema, Deepika Padukone joins this illustrious league. Named among the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2026, Deepika is not only a trailblazing artist but also a cultural ambassador who has helped reimagine India’s presence in global storytelling.
With this honour, Deepika becomes the first Indian actress to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This is more than a personal accolade—it’s a moment of pride for an entire nation and a resounding reminder of how far Indian talent has travelled.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce unveiled its list of honourees at a live press conference from Ovation Hollywood, revealing 35 global figures selected across motion pictures, television, music, live performance, and sports entertainment. Deepika’s name stood out—not just for being historic, but for how it echoes the growing influence of South Asian talent in the global entertainment industry.
Roots, Resilience, and Reinvention: Deepika’s Journey
Before the Met Galas and the Oscars, before Cannes and xXx, there was a young girl from Bangalore—born in Copenhagen to renowned badminton champion Prakash Padukone—who trained early for athletic excellence. Deepika was a natural on the badminton court, and for years, it seemed as though she would follow in her father’s footsteps.
But something else called to her. She transitioned from sports to modelling, quickly becoming one of India’s most sought-after faces. Her poise and grace caught attention beyond magazine covers, leading her to enroll in Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares institute to refine her craft.
Her big break came in 2007 with Farah Khan’s Bollywood blockbuster Om Shanti Om, opposite superstar Shah Rukh Khan. Deepika’s performance as both the glamorous Shantipriya and the modern Sandy announced her arrival with boldness. The film wasn’t just a hit—it was a statement that a new leading lady had arrived.
From Leading Lady to Cultural Powerhouse
What followed was a career built not just on star power, but thoughtful choices. She starred in commercial successes like Chennai Express and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, but it was her work in emotionally grounded films like Piku, Tamasha, Chhapaak, and Gehraiyaan that showed a different facet of her artistry. Deepika often gravitated toward characters that carried emotional weight—women in transition, battling trauma, or searching for meaning. Her performances were lauded not only by Indian critics but by international audiences who began paying close attention.
She became more than an actress. Deepika used her platform to speak openly about mental health, founding the Live Love Laugh Foundation in 2015 after her own battle with depression. This vulnerability resonated across borders, adding to her credibility not just as a performer but as a public voice for compassion and change.
A Global Icon for a New Era
In 2017, Deepika took her next leap—into Hollywood—with xXx: Return of Xander Cage alongside Vin Diesel. Though the film leaned into action clichés, Deepika’s character Serena Unger was strong, fierce, and refreshingly central to the narrative. She held her own in a testosterone-heavy space and became one of the few Indian actors to land a leading role in a mainstream American film.
This was no one-off. In the years that followed, Deepika’s presence on global platforms only expanded. Whether as a L’Oréal ambassador at Cannes, a guest at the Met Gala, or gracing the covers of international fashion magazines, she seamlessly blended East and West. Her sense of style, combined with substance, made her a fixture in both fashion and film.
She was named among TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People and featured in Variety’s International Women’s Impact Report—recognitions that went far beyond box-office figures. She was carving space for Indian women to be seen not as stereotypes, but as multidimensional global figures.
Her most iconic global moment came in 2023 at the Academy Awards, where she introduced the live performance of Naatu Naatu from SS Rajamouli’s RRR. The song went on to win Best Original Song, and Deepika’s poised introduction, delivered in an elegant Louis Vuitton gown, was hailed as a masterclass in cultural diplomacy. She wasn’t just representing Bollywood—she was representing India.
Joining a Constellation of Global Greats
The Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2026 is a rich tapestry of talent. Along with Deepika, this year’s honorees include Emily Blunt, Timothée Chalamet, Rachel McAdams, Rami Malek, Demi Moore, and French actress Marion Cotillard. In music and entertainment, stars like Miley Cyrus and Gordon Ramsay also make the list. The inclusion of such a globally diverse group reflects the entertainment world’s increasing embrace of cross-cultural excellence.
Deepika was chosen from hundreds of nominations by the Hollywood Walk of Fame selection committee, and her name was ratified by the Chamber’s board of directors. Peter Roth, former CEO of Warner Bros. Television and chairman of the committee, described the class as “35 esteemed individuals” who will be “enshrined on the Walk of Fame.” For Deepika, the star isn’t just a marker of fame—it’s a celebration of longevity, global influence, and the power of quiet determination.
She now shares this space with the likes of Meryl Streep, Denzel Washington, and Audrey Hepburn. Not as a token of diversity, but as an equal.
Why This Matters for India—and the World
Deepika Padukone’s Hollywood Walk of Fame honour is more than a ceremonial milestone. It signals something deeper: a recognition of how Indian cinema, once seen as a niche, is now an integral part of global entertainment. In a landscape where streaming platforms, international co-productions, and global fan bases are redefining success, Deepika’s journey is proof that cultural borders are dissolving.
For young actors in India—particularly women—her achievement is both a dream and a roadmap. It says: you can start in Bangalore, act in Hindi films, speak your truth, cross oceans, stand on international stages, and etch your name in Hollywood history.
And for audiences worldwide, it’s an invitation to look beyond the familiar, to embrace stories and stars from cultures they may not yet fully understand. Because cinema, in the end, is universal. And stars like Deepika Padukone are lighting the way.
