The WAVES2025 Summit turned cinematic on Day 2 as Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone joined celebrated filmmaker Karan Johar for a candid, heartfelt session that traced their intertwined journeys in Indian cinema. Shared via PIB India's official handle, the post featured striking images from the discussion, captioned, “Actors @iamsrk and @deepikapadukone join film producer Karan Johar for an unfiltered conversation,” capturing a moment that was both nostalgic and forward-looking.
The session was particularly symbolic, as Deepika Padukone’s Bollywood debut came opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Om Shanti Om (2007), a Farah Khan directorial that catapulted her to instant stardom and earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Since then, the duo has become one of Bollywood’s most beloved onscreen pairs, starring together in blockbusters like Chennai Express, Happy New Year, and the recent Pathaan, each film reinforcing their dynamic chemistry and individual star power.
Moderated by Karan Johar—himself a defining voice in Indian cinema—the conversation reflected on decades of cinematic evolution, personal challenges, and the global reach of Indian storytelling. Together, the trio explored how authenticity, resilience, and reinvention have kept them at the forefront of an ever-changing entertainment landscape. The session offered attendees a rare, personal look into the minds behind some of Bollywood’s biggest moments.
The WAVES2025 Summit, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 1, was billed as a milestone in India’s cultural and creative trajectory. Running until May 4, the four-day event is a celebration of India's soft power across cinema, music, digital media, and visual arts. With appearances from legendary artists and vibrant discussions like this one, WAVES is shaping up to be both a retrospective of Indian cultural achievements and a bold statement of its global aspirations.