Deepika Padukone is set to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, making her the first Indian actress to be honored with this recognition. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced the Walk of Fame Class of 2026, which includes Padukone in the Motion Pictures category, on Wednesday night via Instagram.
Padukone will be joining a prestigious group of actors and filmmakers, including Emily Blunt, Timothée Chalamet, Marion Cotillard, Stanley Tucci, Rami Malek, Rachel McAdams, and Demi Moore. Other honorees for the Class of 2026 include figures from television, such as "The Office" creator Greg Daniels, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Chef Gordon Ramsay, Bradley Whitford, and Noah Wyle. The Walk of Fame Selection Panel chose the honorees from hundreds of nominations during a meeting on June 20, and the Hollywood Chamber's Board of Directors ratified the selections on June 25.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame, a major tourist attraction, has over 2,700 brass stars embedded in the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Los Angeles. These stars pay tribute to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry, spanning film, television, music, radio, live performance, and sports entertainment. Padukone's addition marks a historic moment, highlighting the growing global impact of Indian cinema.
Deepika Padukone debuted in Bollywood with "Om Shanti Om" in 2007 and has since become one of India's most successful and respected actresses. She has delivered critically acclaimed performances in movies such as "Love Aaj Kal", "Piku", "Bajirao Mastani", "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela", "Padmaavat", "Chhapaak" and "Gehraiyaan". In 2017, she made her Hollywood debut in "XXX: Return of Xander Cage," alongside Vin Diesel. Padukone has also become a regular at international events like the Met Gala and the Cannes Film Festival, where she served on the main competition jury in 2022.
Deepika Padukone's influence goes beyond her acting career. TIME magazine recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in 2018. She has also received the TIME100 Impact Award. In addition, she unveiled the FIFA World Cup trophy at the final match in Qatar. Padukone was also the first Indian to be signed by luxury fashion houses Louis Vuitton and Cartier.
Padukone expressed her gratitude on Instagram after the announcement. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will honor these talented individuals for their contributions to the entertainment world.