Deepika Padukone Says Female Roles Are More Than Just Sex Appeal, Faces Backlash

Deepika Padukone Faces Backlash for Comments on Evolution of Female Characters, Netizens Recall Pathaan

May22, 2025: Deepika Padukone recently opened up about how female characters in Bollywood have evolved over the years. In a candid interview with Marie Claire, the celebrated actress reflected on her journey and the broader transformation in how women are portrayed on screen. However, her comments have sparked a wave of trolling online, with critics pointing to her past roles as contradictory.

In the interview, Deepika stated, “Female characters have evolved… they’re not just being used as decoration or for their sex appeal in films. That’s what has changed. And I think that change has inspired me to bring different aspects to the various characters that I play.” She emphasized that women now have a voice in cinema and can drive societal change through the stories they tell.

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However, netizens were quick to call out what they saw as a disconnect between Deepika’s words and her filmography. Many referenced her role as Rubai in Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan (2023), suggesting that it did not align with the empowered female narratives she described.

One Reddit user commented, “She still did Pathaan,” while another wrote, “You’ve started with Shantipriya, now you’re doing Rubai 🙂.” Other comments criticized the tone and substance of her remarks, with one saying, “I just love how Deepika always says a WHOLE bunch of NOTHING… But she’ll say it slowly and with such a serious face as if she’s saying something ingenious.” Another user added sarcastically, “Practice what you preach!! 🙏🏻.”

Despite the criticism, fans remain eager for her return to the silver screen. Deepika, who welcomed her first child Dua Padukone Singh with husband Ranveer Singh last year, is reportedly set to make her comeback in King, a project starring Shah Rukh Khan and Suhana Khan.

As she prepares to balance motherhood with her acting career, Deepika continues to draw both praise and scrutiny—highlighting the challenges public figures face when navigating personal evolution in the spotlight.