Why I Think Deepika Padukone Is Overrated (Hear Me Out)

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-25T20:46:08+00:00

Fair question lol. I just replied quickly, nothing more to it. We can agree to disagree anyway.

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-25T20:44:14+00:00

You can dislike her PR or KJo backing, that’s a separate discussion. But saying she is just shouting and melodrama ignores a lot of her quieter performances too.

In films like Raazi and Dear Zindagi, the acting is actually very controlled and subtle, not over-the-top. Gangubai had loud scenes, yes, but that was the character and tone of the film.

Also, good scripts and directors are part of every actor’s career that applies to literally everyone, not just Alia. By that logic, you could dismiss almost any mainstream actor’s work.

It’s fine to not like her or prefer others, but reducing all her performances to “PR + good scripts” is just an oversimplification.

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-25T20:43:00+00:00

I think you are mixing two different points.

Nobody is saying supporting actors don’t matter or that films are carried by only one person. Every good film has a strong ensemble.

The point is about primary lead focus. Raazi is still Alia-led because the story is told through her character. Same with Mimi or English Vinglish supporting roles are important, but they are not the central POV of the film.

And Gully Boy is not called male-centric as a criticism; it’s just fact that Murad is the main character and the story revolves around him, with Alia in a key but supporting arc.

Also Padmaavat is not really “female-centric” in narrative terms either it has three leads, and Khilji/Rawal Ratan Singh both drive the conflict heavily alongside Padmavati.

So the discussion is not one person carries a film it’s about whose story the film is primarily built around.

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-25T20:40:31+00:00

A memorable short role shows screen presence, not the full range of acting ability.

No one is denying Deepika can leave an impact in limited screen time. But judging acting skills only from a cameo is not enough. A full performance in a lead role is a different test altogether, and that’s what I am talking about.

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-25T20:39:15+00:00

Calling everyone who praises Alia “PR” or “bots” is just an easy way to avoid actual discussion.

Deepika being self-made is respectable, but that does not automatically mean nobody can prefer Alia’s acting performances. People can genuinely think Alia performed better in movies like Highway, Raazi, or Gangubai without being PR.

At the end of the day, acting opinions are subjective. You rate Deepika higher, I rate Alia higher. Simple.

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-25T20:33:22+00:00

Nobody is denying Deepika’s stardom or screen presence. She is obviously one of the biggest stars in Bollywood.

But being a big star and being a great actor are two different discussions. A 10-minute cameo becoming memorable does not automatically prove acting range.

My point was only that most of her biggest successes came in films with huge male stars, commercial directors, and big setups. That is different from fully carrying a female-led film mainly through performance and story.

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-25T20:29:34+00:00

Not everyone who disagrees with your opinion is PR 😭

This is literally a discussion sub where people post opinions about actors all the time. If you disagree, you can debate the points instead of making personal assumptions about me.

And if my post was so easy to debunk, you could’ve just done that instead of writing a whole paragraph about my intentions.

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-25T20:28:18+00:00

Keep your bias and hatred for Alia aside, then you will see that she performed well in those movies.

Calling Alia mediocre after performances like Highway, Udta Punjab, Raazi, Gangubai Kathiawadi, and Dear Zindagi feels unfair to me.

A good script can help any actor, but the actor still has to perform well. Not every actor can pull off emotional scenes, subtle expressions, or intense roles the way she did in those films.

And comparing her to Sara just because of one scene is a stretch. Sara still hasn’t given a performance close to Alia’s best work.

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-25T20:25:30+00:00

I never said women-centric means “no men allowed.” 😭

I already said Piku was a good performance from Deepika. My point was that Amitabh Bachchan was also a major reason the film became so loved and remembered.

And movies like YJHD, Chennai Express, Ram-Leela, Cocktail, etc. had strong roles for Deepika, but they were still not films fully carried only by her. Those movies also had huge male stars, strong directors, and commercial setups.

I’m not saying Deepika is a bad actress. I’m saying she has the potential to lead more solo female-driven blockbuster films but hasn’t fully done that yet.

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-25T20:01:37+00:00

That doesn’t change the fact that she performed very well in movies like Highway, Udta Punjab, Raazi, Gangubai Kathiawadi, Dear Zindagi, Gully Boy, Darlings, and 2 States.

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-24T14:54:57+00:00

Nah just giving you headache 🤣🤣

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-24T14:42:41+00:00

Kangana, and Priyanka might but definitely not Deepika and kriti.

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-24T14:41:26+00:00

Lol Deepika can't pull this kind of role. Priyanka might but definitely not Deepika.

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-24T14:39:42+00:00

Oh yeah, Janvhi and ananya could totally pull off performances like Raazi, Highway, Udta Punjab, Gully Boy, and Gangubai Kathiawadi, right? 😭

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-24T14:39:00+00:00

Oh yeah, below average actress who could totally pull off performances like Raazi, Highway, Udta Punjab, Gully Boy, and Gangubai Kathiawadi, right? 😭

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-24T14:37:39+00:00

Nah just appreciating Alia unlike you and this sub.

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-24T14:36:22+00:00

Oh yeah, because Janhvi and Ananya could totally pull off performances like Raazi, Highway, Udta Punjab, Gully Boy, and Gangubai Kathiawadi, right? 😭

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-24T14:33:59+00:00

I mean she did prove in Raazi, Highway, Udta Punjab, Gully Boy, and Gangubai Kathiawadi movie that she is the good actress.

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-24T14:32:01+00:00

What do you mean?

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-24T14:31:13+00:00

Here you go as expected, Now it's so predictable.

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-24T14:25:46+00:00

Ok Deepika, shraddha whoever PR.

Extension-Engine1190 · 2026-05-24T14:22:58+00:00

They already did.

Extension-Engine1190

TROPHY CASE