Karan Johar hails Deepika Padukone as 'global superstar' at WAVES 2025

Karan Johar praises Deepika Padukone

Filmmaker Karan Johar introduced Bollywood star Deepika Padukone as a "global superstar" during her spectacular appearance at the WAVES Summit 2025, which took place at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the esteemed summit, which brought together some of the most prominent figures in the entertainment and media sectors to discuss India's expanding cultural influence on the world scene.

Sharing the platform with long-time collaborator and industry legend Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika took part in a compelling panel discussion titled “The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler.” The session stood out as one of the defining moments of the event, featuring two of Indian cinema’s most beloved figures in a candid conversation that drew attention from all corners.

Padukone began the day in an elegant beige salwar suit, adorned with delicate cutwork detailing on the trousers and a sheer dupatta. Later, she changed into a striking black ensemble for the panel, maintaining her signature blend of grace and sophistication.

Karan Johar, who moderated the panel, introduced Padukone with a heartfelt tribute: “The athlete who cross borders crossed oceans, and then beautifully crossed into history. A global superstar who stands today as a symbol of beauty, strength, eternal, and timeless grace.”

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Deepika spoke candidly and warmly about a variety of subjects during the conversation, including her personal vulnerabilities and the challenges and rewards of celebrity. She also discussed embracing motherhood, a major life milestone. She talked elegantly about how this new phase has given her life new purpose and equilibrium.

The panel, which highlighted the connection between India's cinematic heritage and its future, was the high point of the first day of the WAVES Summit. The moment, which embodied the spirit of evolution, empowerment, and cultural pride, reverberated well beyond the auditorium when Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone—arguably Bollywood royalty—shared the stage.