Deepika Padukone's cinema debut: Indrajit Lankesh recalls casting her in 'Aishwarya'
Synopsis
Before 'Om Shanti Om', before Cannes, before Vin Diesel — there was a lift conversation in Mumbai. Filmmaker Indrajit Lankesh says he cast Deepika Padukone in her debut Kannada film 'Aishwarya' before he had finished two lines of a story pitch. The man who saw a Hollywood star before she became one is now telling that story for the first time.
Key Takeaways
Indrajit Lankesh cast Deepika Padukone in her debut film 'Aishwarya' ( 2006 ), a Kannada romantic drama and official remake of the Telugu film 'Manmadhudu' ( 2002 ).
The casting decision was made almost instantly — in a lift, after barely two lines of story narration.
The initial meeting was arranged by Pooja Dadlani , who managed Deepika at the time and now handles Shah Rukh Khan 's affairs.
Lankesh clarified that Deepika was not filming 'Om Shanti Om' simultaneously; Shah Rukh Khan approached her only after 'Aishwarya' completed a 100-day theatrical run.
Lankesh had predicted Deepika would become a Hollywood star — a remark he recalled when she later appeared alongside Vin Diesel .
Kannada filmmaker Indrajit Lankesh has shared the untold story of how he discovered and launched Deepika Padukone in cinema, casting her in the 2006 Kannada romantic drama 'Aishwarya' — a decision, he says, was made in a lift before he had finished two lines of narration. The revelation comes as Lankesh prepares for the release of his upcoming film 'Jai Hind Jai Sindh'.
The Lift That Launched a Career
Lankesh recalled that his search for a fresh face led him to Deepika Padukone through a recommendation, and their first meeting was arranged by Pooja Dadlani — who was managing Deepika at the time and currently handles Shah Rukh Khan's professional affairs. The encounter, however, was anything but formal.
'We met in a lift, and I started narrating the story. I had barely spoken two lines when she was convinced. That's how Deepika was cast in Aishwarya. She already had the confidence. I just created an atmosphere where she could perform fearlessly,' Lankesh said.
What Set Deepika Apart
The director said he recognised something exceptional in the newcomer from the outset. 'She had the height, the look, the screen presence, and, most importantly, the hunger to prove herself,' he noted. Lankesh added that he had even predicted her international trajectory: 'I told her one day she'd become a Hollywood star. Years later, when she worked with Vin Diesel, I remembered that conversation.'
The 'Aishwarya'–'Om Shanti Om' Timeline
Lankesh also addressed a common misconception about Deepika's early career, clarifying that she was not working on 'Om Shanti Om' while filming 'Aishwarya'. According to him, Shah Rukh Khan brought her on board for the Bollywood production only after 'Aishwarya' completed a successful 100-day theatrical run — underscoring that her Kannada debut preceded and arguably enabled her Bollywood breakthrough.
'Aishwarya' was an official remake of the 2002 Telugu film 'Manmadhudu' and starred Upendra, Deepika Padukone, and Daisy Bopanna. It remains a landmark in Kannada cinema for introducing one of Bollywood's biggest global stars.
Looking Ahead
Lankesh is currently focused on 'Jai Hind Jai Sindh', his forthcoming directorial, as he revisits these formative memories. His reflections offer a rare, first-hand account of the early instincts and industry connections that shaped Deepika Padukone's extraordinary rise from a Kannada film set to global screens.
Point of View
Which typically begins with 'Om Shanti Om'. The Kannada film industry rarely gets credit for incubating talent that later dominates Hindi cinema and global screens. That a director spotted a future Cannes jury member in a lift and cast her on two lines of narration is a reminder of how much of the film industry still runs on instinct and personal networks — and how those informal pathways shape careers that billions later celebrate.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which was Deepika Padukone's debut film?
Deepika Padukone made her acting debut in the Kannada film 'Aishwarya' (2006), directed by Indrajit Lankesh. The film also starred Upendra and Daisy Bopanna, and was an official remake of the 2002 Telugu film 'Manmadhudu'.
How did Indrajit Lankesh cast Deepika Padukone in 'Aishwarya'?
Lankesh cast Deepika after a chance meeting in a lift, where he began narrating the story and she was convinced before he had finished two lines. The meeting was arranged by Pooja Dadlani, who was managing Deepika at the time.
Did Deepika Padukone film 'Om Shanti Om' at the same time as 'Aishwarya'?
No. According to Indrajit Lankesh, Deepika was not working on 'Om Shanti Om' while filming 'Aishwarya'. Shah Rukh Khan reportedly approached her for the Bollywood film only after 'Aishwarya' completed a successful 100-day theatrical run.
Who is Pooja Dadlani and what was her role in Deepika's early career?
Pooja Dadlani was managing Deepika Padukone at the time of her debut and arranged her first meeting with director Indrajit Lankesh. Dadlani currently manages Shah Rukh Khan's professional affairs.
What is Indrajit Lankesh's upcoming film?
Indrajit Lankesh is currently preparing for the release of 'Jai Hind Jai Sindh', his forthcoming directorial project, as he revisited memories of launching Deepika Padukone's career.
