Mumbai, Dec. 13 -- In a year crowded with box-office noise and relentless content churn, Deepika Padukone did something astonishing-she dominated without stepping into a single release cycle. In an industry where momentum is often equated with monthly visibility, Deepika reminded everyone that true power isn't measured in screen time but in influence. And in 2025, she wielded hers with quiet, unshakeable authority.

This was the year she triggered one of the most important conversations Indian film industry has had in recent times: the debate on work-life balance. What began as a simple acknowledgment of prioritising personal well-being spiralled into a nationwide discourse. Directors, actors, producers, studio heads, and audiences-everyo...