Deepika Padukone’s recent announcement as the female lead in Atlee’s highly anticipated pan-India sci-fi action film AA22xA6 alongside Telugu superstar Allu Arjun has sent waves across the film fraternity and fans alike.
Marketed as a magnum opus blending fantasy, mythology, and cutting-edge VFX, the film promises to be a landmark in South Indian cinema. However, what many don’t know is that this isn’t Deepika’s first foray into South Indian films. In fact, Padukone made her acting debut with a Kannada film. Let’s get deeper into Deepika’s filmography.
Deepika Padukone debut movie
Deepika Padukone debut film Aishwarya introduced her as the titular character opposite the veteran Kannada actor Upendra. Directed by Indrajit Lankesh, the romantic comedy was a remake of the Telugu hit Manmadhudu and enjoyed commercial success, setting the stage for Deepika’s future in cinema.
How old was Deepika Padukone during her debut in Kannada films in 2006
Deepika was only 20 years old when she made her Kannada film debut in 2006. This early exposure to South Indian cinema gave her a distinct edge, familiarity with regional storytelling styles and a pan-Indian appeal that many Bollywood stars only achieve later in their careers.
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Why Deepika Padukone left South-Indian cinema after her debut?
Despite Aishwarya’s success, Deepika quickly shifted focus to Bollywood, landing the lead role in Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om (2007) opposite superstar Shah Rukh Khan, which catapulted her to instant fame and won her the Filmfare award for best female debut.
A planned Tamil film Rana with superstar Rajinikanth was shelved due to his health issues, and her only other South Indian film before 2025 was the Tamil motion-capture film Kochadaiiyaan (2014), which unfortunately underperformed. This hiatus from South Indian cinema made her upcoming collaboration with Prabhas and director Nag Ashwin highly anticipated, signaling a full-circle moment.
Deepika Padukone south-Indian films
Deepika commenced her film journey with the Kannada film Aishwarya (2006), marking her debut in the industry. She later ventured into Tamil cinema with Kochadaiiyaan (2014), a motion-capture film alongside Rajinikanth.
Her foray into Telugu cinema was marked by her role as Sumathi (SUM-80) in the sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD (2024), directed by Nag Ashwin. Despite rumors about her exit from the sequel, credible sources confirm that Deepika remains an integral part of Kalki 2, with filming slated to commence in 2026. She is now set to play a fierce warrior in Atlee’s next project AA22xA6 with Allu Arjun.
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