Mumbai, India – In a monumental achievement for Indian cinema, Bollywood sensation Deepika Padukone has been named among the illustrious inductees for the 2026 Hollywood Walk of Fame. This makes her the first Indian actress to be bestowed with a dedicated star on the iconic Los Angeles boulevard, a moment being celebrated widely across the nation.
The esteemed Hollywood Chamber of Commerce made the announcement via a live broadcast on Wednesday, unveiling the complete roster of honorees for the coming year. Padukone’s selection falls under the coveted Motion Pictures category, placing her alongside a galaxy of international stars including Emily Blunt, Rachel McAdams, Timothée Chalamet, Rami Malek, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci, and Molly Ringwald.
Deepika’s foray into Hollywood began in 2017 with her role opposite Vin Diesel in XXX: Return of Xander Cage. Since then, she has meticulously cultivated her global presence, seamlessly balancing a thriving career in Bollywood with an ever-growing international acclaim. Her induction is being heralded as a pivotal moment, underscoring the escalating global prominence of Indian cinema.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame traditionally recognises excellence across five distinct fields: motion pictures, television, live theatre/live performance, music recording, and sports entertainment. This year’s honourees also include television luminaries such as Sarah Michelle Gellar (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Noah Wyle (ER), basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, and Good Morning America hosts Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos, who will be sharing a joint star.
Additionally, two posthumous stars will be awarded: one to Tony Scott, the celebrated director behind films like Top Gun and Man on Fire, and the other to Carlo Rambaldi, the Italian visual effects wizard renowned for his work on E.T. and Alien.
Honourees are meticulously chosen from hundreds of public submissions, which are then rigorously reviewed by a dedicated selection committee. The final approval rests with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The 2026 announcement was delivered by current Walk of Fame stars Eugenio Derbez and Richard Blade.
Padukone’s star is not merely a recognition of her stellar cinematic contributions; it is also seen as a powerful symbol of India’s burgeoning cultural influence on the global entertainment landscape. While Indian legends such as Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan have received significant accolades in the West, Deepika’s achievement marks her as the first Indian actress to be honoured with an individual star on the fabled Hollywood Walk of Fame.
On the personal front, Deepika and her husband, actor Ranveer Singh, joyfully welcomed their daughter, Dua Padukone Singh, on September 8, 2024. The couple publicly shared their daughter’s name during Diwali, describing Dua as “the answer to our prayers,” a sentiment that beautifully encapsulates their profound happiness and gratitude.
Professionally, Deepika was last seen gracing the big screen in the pan-India sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, where she starred alongside Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan. She is confirmed to return for the film’s highly anticipated sequel and is also set to headline an upcoming pan-India action drama opposite Allu Arjun, under the direction of Atlee, currently with the working title AA22xA6.
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