Deepika Padukone, one of India's most celebrated actresses, marked her 40th birthday on January 5, 2026. Contrary to popular belief that she was born in India, Padukone's roots trace back to Copenhagen, Denmark, where she was born on January 5, 1986, to Konkani-speaking Indian parents. Her father, the internationally renowned badminton player Prakash Padukone, was reportedly in Denmark for professional reasons at the time of her birth. The family relocated to Bangalore, India, when Deepika was just eleven months old, where she was subsequently raised. Padukone's journey to Bollywood stardom began with her acting debut in the Kannada film 'Aishwarya' in 2006. She then made a significant splash in the Hindi film industry with Farah Khan's blockbuster 'Om Shanti Om' in 2007, opposite Shah Rukh Khan, a role that earned her widespread acclaim and the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Since then, she has delivered numerous memorable performances in critically and commercially successful films such as 'Cocktail' (2012), 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' (2013), 'Chennai Express' (2013), 'Bajirao Mastani' (2015), and 'Padmaavat' (2018), cementing her status as one of Bollywood's highest-paid and most influential actresses. Her global appeal also led to her Hollywood debut in 'xXx: Return of Xander Cage' (2017). On her milestone birthday, Padukone launched 'The OnSet Program,' an initiative designed to empower the next generation of creative talent in the Indian film, television, and advertising industries, providing experiential learning opportunities. This venture further underscores her influence beyond acting, solidifying her position as a mentor and entrepreneur in the entertainment sector. Her birthday celebrations also included a pre-birthday fan meet in Mumbai and a trip to New York City with her husband, Ranveer Singh, and their daughter, Dua Padukone Singh, born in September 2024. The Times of India article accurately captures these verified facts about her international origins and remarkable career trajectory.