Which Was Deepika Padukone's Debut Film? Here's How Shah Rukh Khan Reacted to Its Box Office Success

Deepika Padukone's journey to superstardom began not in Bollywood, but with a regional hit that subtly paved the way for her glittering Hindi film debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Before the magic of Om Shanti Om, it was a Kannada romantic drama that first showcased her undeniable potential. Kriti Sanon Addresses Deepika Padukone Comparisons for ‘Cocktail 2’ Character Ally, Says ‘Glad That They’re Different’.

How Did Shah Rukh Khan React to Deepika Padukone's First Hit Film Before Om Shanti Om?

Long before she became an established name in Hindi cinema, Deepika Padukone made her acting debut in the Kannada-language film Aishwarya, released on September 15, 2006. Directed by Indrajit Lankesh, the film starred Upendra Rao, Daisy Bopanna, and Padukone in the titular role of Aishwarya Pai. The romantic drama, a remake of the 2002 Telugu film Manmadhudu with its flashback portion loosely inspired by the 2005 Tamil film Ghajini, proved to be a commercial success, reportedly grossing INR 50 million during its impressive 100-day theatrical run and ranking among the top five hits of 2006.

Filmmaker Indrajit Lankesh recently recounted that even then, Padukone's burgeoning popularity had caught the attention of none other than Shah Rukh Khan, just a year before Padukone would make her spectacular Bollywood debut alongside him.

More About 'Aishwarya'

Deepika Padukone's role as Aishwarya Pai was her first foray into acting after a successful modelling career. Director Indrajit Lankesh discovered her at a fashion show, recognising her height, look, screen presence, and most importantly, her hunger to prove herself. He recalled signing her for the film after just a one-line narration.

The film's commercial success not only launched her career but also generated significant buzz, leading to her posters being prominently displayed across Bengaluru. Aishwarya achieved a net share of INR 1.5 crore and a total gross of INR 20 million in its opening week, completing 50 days in 30 centres across Karnataka and 75 days in Bangalore alone.

Watch Indrajit Lankesh's Full Interview:

SRK and Deepika's King Pair

Deepika Padukone's Bollywood journey officially began with Farah Khan's directorial Om Shanti Om, which premiered on November 9, 2007. Produced by Gauri Khan and Shah Rukh Khan under Red Chillies Entertainment, the romantic fantasy film saw Padukone in a dual role opposite Shah Rukh Khan. The film was a blockbuster, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2007 with a worldwide gross of over INR 150 crore against a budget of approximately INR 40 crore. Padukone's performance earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.

The initial interaction between Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone proved prophetic, as their on-screen chemistry blossomed into one of Bollywood's most successful pairings. They have since delivered a string of blockbusters, solidifying their status as a King pair at the box office.

Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone have delivered several blockbuster films together over the years. Their first collaboration, Om Shanti Om (2007), marked Deepika's Bollywood debut and earned INR 79.50 crore at the Indian box office. They reunited for Chennai Express (2013), which collected INR 227 crore and became their first INR 200 crore net grosser, followed by Happy New Year (2014), another commercial success with INR 203 crore. In 2023, the duo headlined Pathaan, which made history as Bollywood's first film to cross INR 500 crore net in India, earning INR 543.09 crore. Deepika also made a key cameo appearance in Jawan (2023), further adding to their successful on-screen collaborations. Pregnant Deepika Padukone Shoots for Ad in Bengaluru After ‘King’ Schedule With Shah Rukh Khan in Cape Town (Watch Viral Video).

Their cumulative box office collection stands at a staggering INR 1000 crore+ (excluding Jawan and other cameos). The duo is set to reunite for another eagerly anticipated project, King, scheduled for release on December 24, 2026, promising to continue their unparalleled success story.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 29, 2026 12:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).