By Oindrila Muhuri Last Updated:
Deepika Padukone has been hitting the headlines for quite some time now as she has been busy promoting her film, Gehraiyaan. Since the film's release on February 11, 2022, she has garnered a lot of love and respect for her stellar performance in the movie. But, again, with a pipeline of projects ahead like Pathan, Fighter, Project K and much more, she has been going through a busy schedule. However, amidst her tight timetable, she opened up about her husband and family's support towards her. This time, she has revealed a few facts about her father, Prakash Padukone.
Deepika Padukone is a loving daughter, who has always flaunted her love for her father-former badminton player, Prakash Padukone. On June 10, 2020, Deepika's father had turned 65 and to mark this special occasion, his daughter had posted a throwback picture on her social media handle. Deepika had penned a heartfelt wish for her 'greatest off-screen hero' by sharing a childhood picture with her daddy. Deepika had captioned her post as:
"To the greatest off-screen hero I could have ever had! Thank You for showing us that being a true champion is not only about one's professional achievements, but also about being a good human being! Happy 65th Birthday, Pappa! We love you! #pappa #padukone."
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Deepika Padukone is currently working on her father and ace badminton champion, Prakash Padukone's biopic film. In an interview with Cyrus Broacha for his YouTube channel, the actress opened up about her father's life and contribution to Indian sports. Deepika said:
"I am working on it. Actually, even before 83 happened, he was one of the first Indian athletes to put India on the global map as far as Indian sport is concerned. He won the World Championship in 1981, which was obviously before 1983."
Deepika, who loves Prakash Padukone and takes huge inspiration from him, has always been open about her father's struggles. Further in the conversation with Cyrus, she mentioned the disadvantages and advantages her father had faced in his life, hinting towards the facilities Indian Sportspersons used to get earlier. She explained:
"He trained in a marriage hall, that was his badminton court. He used things like the beams that go across to make his shot more precise. He actually used his disadvantages to his advantage. If he had the facilities that athletes in India have today, then he'd be far more superior."
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Prakash Padukone had made the nation proud when he had become the first Indian badminton player to win the All England Open Badminton Championships in 1980. On March 23, 2020, Prakash had completed 40 years of his remarkable winning. His daughter and son-in-law, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, had penned heartfelt messages for him on social media. They had also shared throwback pictures of the legendary Badminton player to mark the day.
Deepika Padukone is the first child of ace badminton player, Prakash Padukone, and it explains a lot about her disciplined life. In a Nat Geo's show, Mega Icons, Deepika Padukone had once opened up on her childhood days. She had also talked about following the footsteps of her Badminton champion father, Prakash Padukone and growing up in a disciplined schedule.
"The routine was to wake up every morning like 4-5 am, go for physical conditioning, go back home, go to school. As soon as I would finish school, there was no time to chitchat with friends so I would get home, change, have a snack, go to the badminton court, have dinner, be exhausted by that point and go to sleep and then the same thing again. That was my life: No late nights, no TV, no movies. Sport teaches you sacrifice, discipline, dedication and determination."
For the unversed, Deepika Padukone had co-produced her husband, Ranveer Singh's last film, 83 with Kabir Khan, Vishnuvardhan Induri, Sajid Nadiadwala and Madhu Mantena.
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