Deepika Padukone to Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Star; Netizens React with Mixed Emotions
Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone is once again making headlines — this time for an international honour. The actor, who has been away from the silver screen following the birth of her daughter, Dua Padukone Singh, has been announced as one of the recipients of a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce revealed its Class of 2026 inductees under various categories, with Deepika listed in the Motion Pictures category. This makes her only the second Indian actor to receive this prestigious honour, following Sabu Dastagir, who earned his star back in 1960.
The Class of 2026 also features several prominent global names including Timothée Chalamet, Rachel McAdams, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci, Rami Malek, and Emily Blunt, putting Deepika in esteemed company on the Hollywood Boulevard.
Reacting to the announcement, Deepika posted a simple but powerful message on her Instagram story, sharing a graphic that read: “Gratitude…” — hinting at her joy and appreciation for the recognition.
While fans across the globe celebrated the achievement and lauded Deepika for continuing to make India proud on the global stage, social media was also flooded with mixed reactions. Many users questioned how Padukone received a star before global Indian icons like Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, both of whom have had a longer presence in international cinema.
“Wait, Deepika before Priyanka and Aishwarya? That’s unexpected,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter), while others defended the decision, citing her contributions to Hollywood and her growing global presence, including her work with international luxury brands and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Meanwhile, fans are also excited about Deepika’s reported return to Bollywood, with rumours swirling about her next project — a film with Allu Arjun and director Atlee. Despite her time away from acting, Deepika continues to dominate headlines and remains one of the most talked-about stars in Indian cinema.
