Deepika Padukone Refuses to Chase Money – Here’s What She’s Focused on Now

In the glamorous world of showbiz, success is often measured by vast budgets, star-studded casts, and box office earnings. However, some artists are challenging this conventional notion. Deepika Padukone, one of Bollywood’s biggest commercial film faces, recently revealed that she has reached a stage in her career where financial scope or box office milestones are no longer the main factors influencing her decisions. Instead, she now focuses on purpose, creativity, and integrity.

This shift in Deepika’s perspective became evident after she stepped back from two much-anticipated films starring Prabhas—Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit and Nag Ashwin’s Kalki sequel. In an interview, Deepika shared that numbers no longer play a role in her decision-making process. “At this stage, I don’t think about it anymore. 100 crores, 500 crores, or 600 crores—these aren’t my benchmarks anymore,” she explained.

Integrity Over Money

Deepika emphasised that she now chooses projects based on instinct and integrity, rather than the paycheque. She explained, “If something doesn’t feel true to me, I don’t take it on. Sometimes, people offer huge sums of money and think that’s enough—but it’s not.”

Supporting New Talent

She further added that working with emerging creative talent is what excites her the most now. “What thrills me most right now is the opportunity to support new talent. My team and I are now more focused on creating spaces for storytelling, supporting new writers, directors, and even new producers. This is what feels meaningful to me now.”

Reflecting on Her Changes

Deepika also admitted that such clarity was not always present. She confessed, “Was I always this clear? Probably not. But now I’ve gained that clarity. Sometimes I look back and wonder—what was I thinking back then? It’s all part of learning. Maybe 10 years from now, I’ll question the decisions I’m making today. But right now, these feel true to me.”

Further Reading

Recently, Deepika made headlines again for demanding an 8-hour work shift, calling for an end to normalising excessive work hours. She said, “We have normalised overworking ourselves. Eight hours of work is sufficient for both the body and mind. Only when you’re healthy can you give your best.”