Deepika Padukone Makes History With Walk Of Fame Star
By Romen Basu Borsellino | 08 Jul, 2025

The Bollywood star will become the first woman of Indian citizenship to receive the honor.

Photo by Georges Biard. Published with Creative Commons License

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has announced the 35 stars that will make up the Walk of Fame class of 2026. Among the names is Deepika Padukone, a Bollywood actress who is considered one of India’s most high-profile celebrities. 

Padukone, who leapt to stardom with her appearance in India’s 2006 film “Aishwarya,” has become one of the country’s highest paid actresses. Despite Padukone’s massive success in India, she has acted in just one major Hollywood film: 2017’s Vin Diesel-led “XXX: The Return of Xander Cage.”

While some outlets are labelling Padukone the first Indian actress on the Walk of Fame, it should be noted that Indian American actress Mindy Kaling received the honor this past February as a member of the Class of 2025. Kaling, who was honored in the Television category, can claim being the first South Asian woman to receive a star while Padukone, who falls into the Motion Picture category, is the first woman with Indian citizenship. 

In 1960, Sabu Dastagir, who was born in British-controlled India, became the first Indian actor to receive a star. Dastagir starred in both British and Hollywood roles. In 1944, he became a US citizen and joined the US Air Force during World War II. His acting career never fully recovered after his time in the military and he died at age 39, just four years after receiving his star.

Past South Asian star recipients include Sir Ben Kingsley, who famously received an Academy Award for his portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in 1982, and Zubin Mehta, a famed classical music conductor who received a star in the Recording category.

Other members of the Class of 2026 include Timothee Chalamet, Emily Blunt, Rachel McAdams, Shaquille O’Neil, and Filipina Broadway performer Lea Salonga. 

The dates of  2026's star reveal ceremonies have not yet been released.