What are the best Deepika Padukone Bollywood movies?

From her triumphant debut in Om Shanti Om to her Bhansali epic trilogy and box-office dominance with Pathaan, Deepika Padukone has become Bollywood's reigning queen. Which is her greatest performance?

1. 1
   Bajirao Mastani

   Padukone's portrayal of the fierce warrior-poet Mastani in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic romance is widely considered her career-best — a commanding, emotionally devastating performance critics hailed as a modern masterpiece.
2. 2
   Piku

   Playing the sharp, fiercely independent Piku opposite Amitabh Bachchan's hypochondriac father, Padukone earned her second Filmfare Best Actress award for a beautifully grounded, nuanced performance.
3. 3
   Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela

   Padukone's passionate, fearless portrayal of the Juliet-inspired Leela in Bhansali's violent romantic epic won her first Filmfare Best Actress award and announced her arrival as Bollywood's defining dramatic actress.
4. 4
   Padmaavat

   As the legendary Rajput queen Padmavati, Padukone delivered a stately, regal performance of extraordinary restraint and dignity in Bhansali's visually magnificent historical epic.
5. 5
   Om Shanti Om

   In her Bollywood debut, Padukone dazzled in a dual role — as both a 1970s film star and her own reincarnation — bringing infectious charm and screen presence to Farah Khan's beloved masala blockbuster.
6. 6
   Cocktail

   Playing the impulsive, free-spirited Veronica marked a breakthrough for Padukone, who shed her girl-next-door image to deliver a bold, emotionally complex performance that earned widespread critical praise.
7. 7
   Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

   Padukone made the bookish, lovable Naina irresistible in this enormously popular coming-of-age romance, her chemistry with Ranbir Kapoor and natural warmth making the film a defining Bollywood hit of the decade.
8. 8
   Chhapaak

   Padukone gave a raw, courageous performance as acid attack survivor Malti — physically transforming herself and carrying a deeply emotional true-story drama with remarkable sensitivity and conviction.
9. 9
   Tamasha

   As Tara, the woman who sees the real 'Ved' beneath his societal mask, Padukone delivered a restrained, emotionally intelligent performance in Imtiaz Ali's unconventional romance about identity and self-discovery.
10. 10
    Gehraiyaan

    Padukone gave one of her most mature and complex performances as a woman caught in a morally ambiguous love affair, exploring anxiety, desire, and self-deception with unflinching psychological depth.
11. 11
    Pathaan

    Padukone's electrifying action star turn alongside Shah Rukh Khan in this blockbuster spy thriller became her highest-grossing release, earning over ₹10 billion and proving her command of big-screen action spectacle.
12. 12
    Chennai Express

    Padukone's spirited comic performance as Meenamma — a Tamil girl opposite Shah Rukh Khan — made this action-comedy one of Bollywood's biggest ever hits and showcased her flair for physical comedy.
13. 13
    83

    As Romi Dev, the supportive wife of cricket legend Kapil Dev, Padukone brought quiet grace and emotional warmth to the celebrated sports drama recreating India's historic 1983 World Cup victory.
14. 14
    Bachna Ae Haseeno

    Padukone's emotionally charged portrayal of Radhika — a woman wronged and ultimately forgiving — was a powerful early performance that signaled she was far more than a glamorous newcomer.
15. 15
    Love Aaj Kal

    In Imtiaz Ali's exploration of love across two eras, Padukone held her own in a role that showed her growing confidence in handling romantic complexity and emotional nuance.