The Smita Patil memorial award was part of the Priyadarshni Academy’s internationally recognised Global Awards for 2012 aimed at honouring eminent personalities who have made significant contributions in their respective fields.
Deepika Padukone was recognised for her role of wild-child Veronica in her recent film Cocktail. The character Veronica in Cocktail was a free-spirited, independent girl with a modern world-view. Following the release of the film, the actress got positive reviews for her performance.
She was awarded the trophy by Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Minister for Health and Family Welfare at the Priyadarshni Global awards event on Tuesday September 18.
“Being honoured with the Smita Patil award at such an early stage in my career gives me reassurance that I am probably on the right track,” the 26-year-old actress said upon receiving the award. She also added that she does not do films thinking about the awards but will be happy if her work was recognised.
Deepika’s cap-sleeved, cream anarkali dress was designed by designer duo Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. She had tied her hair in a bun and had worn cream coloured peep-toe sandals to complete her ethnic look.
The actress had started her Bollywood career with 2007 blockbuster film Om Shanti Om opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Om Shanti Om is one of the highest grossing Hindi films of all-time. Before that she debuted in a Kannada film Aishwarya in 2006.
Previously actresses including Vidya Balan, Kareena Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit, Dimple Kapadia and Sridevi among others have received the Smita Patil memorial award for best actor.
Among other prominent personalities who were honoured at the 28th Priyadarshni Global Awards alongside Deepika Padukone were chairman of Aditya Birla Group, Kumar Mangalam Birla for Outstanding Contributions to Globalisation of Indian Industry; Mexico’s Dr. Jacques Rogozinski from Inter-American Investment Corporation, US for contributions to Economic Development Leveraging on Small & Medium Enterprises; and Dr. Jeanne Devos (Belgian), National Co-ordinator Domestic Workers Movement, for her role in Protecting the Rights of Domestic Workers.
Deepika Padukone will next be seen opposite Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth in the film Kochadaiyaan.