One of Hindi cinema’s most recognisable faces has made it to Forbes magazine’s list of the top 10 highest paid actresses in the world. No, not Priyanka Chopra, but Deepika Padukone.
This is no small feat for the star who has featured in a string of critically appreciated and commercially loved films, including Cocktail, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Raamleela, Piku and Bajirao Mastani. Padukone is allegedly being paid over Rs 10 crore for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming period movie Padmavati, and she also has brand endorsements running into several crores in her kitty.
In the midst of the celebrations came some comic relief: the American magazine Harper's Bazaar misspelt Padukone’s name as Peedika Padukone twice in an article. Twitter’s eagle-eyed denizens have not allowed what appears to be a case of a bleary-eyed copy editor reaching for the wrong computer key to pass unnoticed.
The American media will have to get used to Padukone, since she is appearing in the upcoming action movie XXX: Return of Xander Cage alongside Vin Diesel. The British newspaper Guardian put out an explainer for its readership on who Padukone is.
The explainer would have saved the Daily Mail the blushes had it come earlier. Earlier this year, the British tabloid referred to Padukone as tennis player Novak Djokovic’s “female companion” in a photograph of the two of them in Los Angeles. Padukone was glowingly described as a “leggy brunette”, but the tabloid was forced to issue a correction after an assault from angry Padukone fans.
Priyanka Chopra’s fan base seems the happiest with Peedikagate.
The prestigious Forbes list is packed with Hollywood heavyweights, and Padukone is one of only two Asians on the list.
Here is a pop quiz for Padukone/Chopra fans: who is Fan Bingbing?
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