Why did Farah Khan launch Deepika in ‘Om Shanti Om’?

Farah Khan revealed the reason why she launched Deepika Padukone in her film Om Shanti Om (2007).

In the movie, Deepika essayed a double role – the film star Shanti Priya and Sandhya ‘Sandy’ Bansal.

Farah explained that the presence of Shah Rukh Khan in the film helped her cast Deepika.

The director said: “To launch a hero is on another level, because who will give you the money?

“I launched her because of Shah Rukh Khan. He was there. So, I could take that risk.”

Farah Khan continued to state candidly the harsh reality of getting breaks in Bollywood.

She said: “You can get a break any time, but are you prepared for that break or not?

“I feel everyone says you wait for the right role. I feel those days are gone. You have to keep acting. You take whatever you get, be it small or big.

“No one is going to give you a launch unless you are a big star’s son.

“Sorry to say, but that is the truth.

“Your mindset has to be very strong in the sense that you have to face rejection every day.

“So you need to have really thick skin and your belief in yourself has to be next level.

“It’s important to be self-aware. When you go out, you need to see who your competition is.

“Then you will be able to understand that there are better people here or ‘I can do better than them’.”

Farah began her film career as a choreographer in Mansoor Khan’s Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992).

She added: “When I was an assistant in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Saroj [Khan] Ji had come for ‘Pehla Nasha‘.

“I used to give clap, watching her work.

“I was self-aware that I could do it and this song I can do better because I won’t do it in a filmy way. I will do it in a new way.”

Upon release, Om Shanti Om was a humongous success for Farah that also catapulted Deepika to instant fame.

The director worked with the Padmaavat star again in Happy New Year (2014).

Meanwhile, on the work front, Deepika Padukone was last seen in Fighter (2024) with Hrithik Roshan and Anil Kapoor.

It was recently announced that the actress was expecting her first child with her husband Ranveer Singh.

Farah Khan made a cameo in Khichdi 2: Mission Paanthukistan (2023).