At the recent World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) held in Mumbai, actor Deepika Padukone opened up about how motherhood has begun to influence her life choices—both personally and professionally. In a candid conversation moderated by filmmaker Karan Johar, Deepika reflected on how her daughter Dua has changed the way she approaches her work and home life.
“Getting back to work without feeling guilt… that’s the balance I’m striving for now,” Deepika admitted while talking about how motherhood has redefined her priorities. She and husband Ranveer Singh welcomed their daughter Dua last year, and since then, Deepika has made a conscious effort to embrace both roles with intention.
Talking about her personal routine, Deepika revealed how she manages her “me time” and home duties on her days off. “So, there is a study room where all these packages come, all mails come, there is just so much stuff to do,” she said. “The first thing I do on a day off is to sort out, segregate, and put things in its place. I am cleaning the kitchen, I am checking fruits, vegetables and stock for the week. Now Dua’s things, everything for her is ordered. Laundry, cleaning, system process, running a house like anyone else.”
She added that while people may assume celebrity life is all about glamor, in reality, “I’m just like any other new mom juggling home and work.” Her openness struck a chord with many in the audience, particularly women trying to maintain a similar balance.
The session titled “The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler” also saw Shah Rukh Khan join Deepika on stage. They spoke about their careers, their past collaborations, and the evolving dynamics in the entertainment industry. During the talk, Deepika also addressed the ongoing discourse around nepotism in Bollywood.
“These are terms that we seem to be discussing now… insider or outsider… When I began, it was just a new world. I was a seventeen-year-old girl who came from Bangalore,” she said, adding that back then, such labels weren’t used as frequently.
As for her future in cinema, Deepika shared that her film choices will now be more mindful. “Motherhood has brought a different lens. I want to do roles that matter, stories that make me feel fulfilled, and most importantly, I want to go to work feeling happy—not guilty.”
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