Filmmaker Indrajit Lankesh recalls discovering Deepika Padukone and launching her acting career with the Kannada film Aishwarya. He shares how her confidence, screen presence, and determination convinced him she was destined for Bollywood and eventually Hollywood success.
As filmmaker Indrajit Lankesh gears up for the release of his upcoming film Jai Hind Jai Sindh, he has looked back at one of the defining moments of his career—introducing Bollywood star Deepika Padukone to the world of cinema through the Kannada film Aishwarya. The director recently shared never-before-heard details about how he discovered the actress and why he immediately believed she was destined for extraordinary success.
Speaking about the casting process, Lankesh revealed that he had been searching for a fresh face to play the female lead in Aishwarya when someone recommended Deepika Padukone. At the time, she was a promising newcomer with no acting experience in feature films, but her personality and confidence immediately left a lasting impression on the filmmaker.
According to Lankesh, their first meeting was arranged by Pooja Dadlani, who was managing Deepika Padukone’s professional commitments at the time and now serves as Shah Rukh Khan’s manager. Interestingly, the decision to cast Deepika happened almost instantly, even before their formal discussion had begun.
Recalling the memorable meeting, Lankesh said they met inside a lift, where he briefly began narrating the story of Aishwarya. After hearing only a couple of lines, Deepika expressed her willingness to be part of the project. The filmmaker described the moment as effortless, saying that her natural confidence convinced him he had found the perfect actress for the role.
Lankesh further explained that he believed his responsibility as a director was to create an environment where a newcomer could perform without fear. He said Deepika already possessed remarkable self-confidence, while he simply helped bring out her potential in front of the camera.
The filmmaker also praised Deepika’s physical presence and determination, saying she had everything required to become a major star. He recalled noticing her height, striking appearance, impressive screen presence, and, above all, her hunger to prove herself. These qualities convinced him that she would enjoy a long and successful career in the entertainment industry.
Lankesh even revealed that he had predicted Deepika Padukone would one day become an international star. Years later, when she made her Hollywood debut alongside Vin Diesel, he remembered the conversation and felt his prediction had come true.
Addressing a long-standing misconception, the director clarified that Deepika was not simultaneously working on Om Shanti Om while filming Aishwarya. He stated that Shah Rukh Khan cast her in the blockbuster Hindi film only after Aishwarya completed a successful 100-day theatrical run, making it clear that her Kannada debut played an important role in opening doors to Bollywood.
Released in 2006, Aishwarya was a Kannada-language romantic drama directed by Indrajit Lankesh. The film featured Upendra in the lead role alongside debutante Deepika Padukone and actress Daisy Bopanna. It was an official remake of the Telugu hit Manmadhudu (2002).
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Today, Deepika Padukone is regarded as one of India’s most successful actresses, with an impressive career spanning blockbuster Hindi films and international projects. Lankesh’s recollections provide a rare glimpse into the early days of her journey, highlighting the confidence, talent, and ambition that convinced him she was destined to become one of Indian cinema’s biggest stars.
