In the swirling realm of social media, where opinions are shared with abandon and critiques are plentiful, having a defender can make all the difference. Recently, the spotlight turned on Bollywood star Deepika Padukone, who has been gearing up to make an explosive appearance as Lady Singham in the enthusiastically anticipated film “Singham Again,” directed by Rohit Shetty. A wave of criticism flooded in, targeting Padukone’s portrayal of the tenacious cop character Shakti Shetty during the trailer release. However, one voice rose to defend her, that of the social media influencer and sensation Orry, who stood firm amidst the criticisms.
Deepika Padukone, an acclaimed actress known for her versatile roles and dynamic performances, has once again found herself at the center of attention with her entry into Rohit Shetty’s renowned cop universe. She is set to portray the first female police officer in this action-packed film series, joining the ranks of Ajay Devgn as Singham, Akshay Kumar as Sooryavanshi, and Ranveer Singh as Simmba, with the film also featuring Arjun Kapoor and Tiger Shroff in significant roles. Released earlier this month, the film’s trailer provided audiences a glimpse into its star-studded lineup and the gripping drama that follows.
Despite the fanfare surrounding “Singham Again,” reactions to Padukone’s performance were mixed. The actress faced a barrage of online trolling, with some netizens labeling her acting and dialogue delivery as “cringe-worthy,” while others opined that she failed to embody the quintessential characteristics expected of a commercial cop role. Such critiques gained momentum on various social media platforms, where snippets from the trailer were shared and discussed extensively.
One such critique caught the eye of Orry, a prominent internet influencer keenly attuned to the pulse of social discourse. The criticism of Padukone’s dialogue in the trailer, juxtaposed with filmmaker Farah Khan’s remarks on Padukone’s Bengaluru accent, struck a chord with Orry. Outraged by the revolving online dialogues, Orry took to the comments section of a particularly biting post, stating, “Sorry, I don’t remember her wearing a cop outfit in ‘Padmaavat’ or giving such dialogues in ‘Chhapaak,’ or in my personal favorite ‘Karthik Calling Karthik.
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This vocal defense highlights Orry’s appreciation for Padukone’s body of work, underscoring notable performances where Padukone showcased her versatility beyond the confines of uniformed roles. “Padmaavat,” “Chhapaak,” and “Karthik Calling Karthik” stand as testaments to Padukone’s capacity to breathe life into diverse characters, challenging assumptions that single out her performance in “Singham Again.”
“Singham Again,” the third installment of Rohit Shetty’s compelling cop franchise, promises exhilarating storytelling inspired by the epic narrative of the Ramayana. Emphasizing character parallels from the ancient text, the film aims to meld mythological motifs with contemporary cop drama. Ajay Devgn embodies the role akin to Ram, with Kareena Kapoor reprising her role reminiscent of Sita. Arjun Kapoor takes on a character inspired by Ravana, whereas Ranveer Singh and Akshay Kumar bring to life characters drawing from Hanuman and Garuda, respectively.
Director Rohit Shetty shared the creative journey behind attributing mythological parallels to a modern cop saga, acknowledging the screenplay crafted by Kshitij Patwardhan. “It’s an intriguing concept,” Shetty remarked, “to weave Ramayana into a narrative that travels from Maharashtra to Sri Lanka. The locations bring authenticity, revealing actual sites of historic incidents, rarely known even to those familiar with the story.”
As anticipation builds for “Singham Again,” Orry’s defense of Deepika Padukone offers a narrative of support against the tide of digital criticism. It serves as a reminder of the subjective nature of art and performance, highlighting the importance of acknowledging an artist’s past repertoire in light of fresh endeavors. With the cinematic world buzzing with expectancy for Rohit Shetty’s innovative take on mythology and contemporary drama, Padukone’s portrayal as Lady Singham marks a significant milestone in Bollywood’s evolving depiction of powerful female protagonists.
