Deepika Padukone Reveals Surprising Fact About Om Shanti Om Audition

Did You Know Deepika Padukone Didn’t Audition for Om Shanti Om? She Says She Never Felt Like an Outsider

Deepika Padukone, now one of India’s top actresses, made her Bollywood debut in 2007 with Om Shanti Om, directed by Farah Khan and starring opposite Shah Rukh Khan. At the WAVES 2025 Summit, Deepika opened up about how she got the role—and her thoughts on the ongoing insider vs. outsider debate in the film industry.

Deepika’s Journey: From Bangalore to Bollywood

Speaking on a panel with Shah Rukh Khan and filmmaker Karan Johar, Deepika said that when she started out, people didn’t talk much about being an “insider” or “outsider.”

“These terms are being discussed more now. When I began, it was just a new world for me. I was a 17-year-old girl from Bangalore,” she shared.

She also mentioned that she started her acting journey with a Kannada film called Aishwarya. Her Bollywood break came as a surprise—she didn’t even have to audition.

How Om Shanti Om Happened Without an Audition

Deepika revealed that Farah Khan saw something in her and decided to cast her without a formal audition.

“Farah met me and said, ‘I want you to meet Shah Rukh.’ He was in Australia shooting Chak De! India at the time. She said we’d meet when he returned. That’s how it happened—it just fell into place.”

She added that her modeling background helped get her noticed, but it was her hard work and dedication that helped her grow in the industry.

“I Never Felt Like an Outsider”

Even though she was new to the industry and had no film connections, Deepika said she never felt like an outsider.

“I came with passion, commitment, and hard work. That’s what I focused on. I didn’t worry about labels.”

Shah Rukh Khan’s Take on the Debate

Shah Rukh Khan, who is also known for making it big without a film background, supported Deepika’s view. He said that it doesn’t matter where you come from—what matters is the effort you put in and how you make your place.

“I never thought of myself as an outsider. I believed this world was mine. Feeling like you don’t belong can hold you back. What truly counts is how you prove yourself.”

Both Deepika and Shah Rukh agreed that the insider-outsider debate shouldn’t define anyone’s journey. Instead, talent, effort, and mindset are what truly shape success in the film industry.

Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan Opens Up About Insider-Outsider Debate: A Personal Loss