In what can be described as a heartwarming nod to Indian cinema, The Academy recently took to Instagram, evoking waves of nostalgia by sharing a throwback clip of Bollywood luminary Deepika Padukone captured in the midst of her captivating performance in ‘Deewani Mastani’. This iconic number, housed within Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s cinematic jewel ‘Bajirao Mastani,’ reached new audiences as it graced the feeds of cinephiles worldwide.
As the footage cascaded across social media, it found a special spectator in Ranveer Singh, Deepika’s co-star in the film and husband. Compelled by her graceful moves and timeless poise, Singh succinctly encapsulated his admiration with a comment that read, “Mesmeric!”, thus joining a chorus of fans who remain captivated by the star’s enduring elegance. Shreya Ghoshal, renowned for lending her mellifluous voice to the song, expressed her gratitude towards The Academy for this enchanting throwback.
The clip’s revival comes an entire year subsequent to Deepika Padukone’s memorable appearance at the Oscars, embodying the film industry’s soaring international influence. ‘Bajirao Mastani’, beyond its melody and dance, is ingrained in India’s cultural consciousness; a tale that pivots around the valiant Maratha general, Bajirao, portrayed by Ranveer Singh, and his unwavering love for the warrior princess Mastani – a role embodied by Deepika – despite societal constraints and familial opposition.
In an illustrious night that gleamed with trophies and accolades, Deepika graced the Academy Awards of 2023 not as a nominee, but as an emblematic figure conveying her support towards ‘Naatu Naatu’, RRR’s electrifying offering that seized recognition in the ‘Original Song’ category. Radiating elegance in an off-shoulder, all-black velvet gown, Deepika evoked the splendor of the stars above, her look completed by the subtle sheen of a bun, a restrained makeup palette, and the sumptuous addition of a yellow diamond necklace that draped delicately around her neck.
The star couple, united at Italy’s picturesque Lake Como during a dream wedding in November 2018 after six years of company, traverse now a new journey into parenthood with the arrival of their first child anticipated in September.
Beyond their personal joys, their careers remain in an undiminished ascend. Deepika recently soared across the cinematic sky in the aerial action thriller ‘Fighter’, garnering acclaim alongside Hrithik Roshan. This Siddharth Anand-directed feature also saw noted performances by Anil Kapoor, Karan Singh Grover, and Akshay Oberoi. Audiences await her next venture into the futuristic landscapes of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, where she stands alongside Prabhas, under the directorial guidance of Nag Ashwin, with screen stalwart Amitabh Bachchan also in the ensemble—a project set to premiere on May 9, 2024.
Ranveer Singh, whose versatility knows no bounds, is set to don once more the uniform of Simmba in Rohit Shetty’s anticipated ‘Singham Again’, bringing together a constellation of stars including Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Kareena Kapoor Khan, alongside Deepika. Looking ahead to 2025, Singh will steer the narrative of Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Don 3’ with Kiara Advani as his co-star.
As Deepika’s enchanting moves in ‘Deewani Mastani’ continue to resound across time and space, and The Academy’s delightful acknowledgment garners attention, it is clear that the couple’s legacy intertwines the splendor of cinematic art with the rhythm of everyday life—a dance of continuity as timeless and mesmerizing as the performance that started it all.
