‘I’m just a 12th pass’: What Deepika Padukone’s success journey despite limited education teaches us about prioritising personal fulfilment

Deepika Padukone talks about being successful despite not studying much. (Source: Instagram/@deepikapadukone)

Indian parents’ biggest worry is their child choosing an unconventional career path. In an old interview, Deepika Padukone shared that her unconventional path to success was made possible by her parents’ support despite limited educational qualifications. However, the journey was not easy. And like every other Indian family, her parents were initially hesitant about her decision to continue modelling rather than pursue a college degree. In a conversation with Biscoot TV eight years ago, the Piku actor spilt the beans: “I haven’t gone to college. I finished my 11th and 12th, even my 11th and 12th, I just about managed to finish because I was already a very successful model by that time. I was based in Bangalore, but I used to keep travelling to Mumbai and Delhi for work, and I could not keep up. Then I finished my 12th and I tried to do one year of my degree through college, I couldn’t do that and then I tried to do distance education. I couldn’t complete that as well. So I’m just a 12th pass, which my parents back then had a big issue with.”

According to the actor, her parents always wanted her to start working only after she had gotten a basic degree, which is a “very conservative Indian way of looking at it”, in her opinion. But once they realised how passionate she was about her work, they eventually relented.

Deepika Padukone on the sets of Piku. (Source: Instagram/@deepikapadukone)

Neha Parashar, senior psychologist at Cadabams Hospitals, believes the most significant factor driving this perception is the uncertainty and instability often associated with creative fields. Unlike conventional professions such as medicine, engineering, or law, which offer relatively clear career trajectories, financial security, and societal respect, unconventional careers are perceived as volatile. These factors lead to an air of social stigma surrounding such career choices in conservative or traditional Indian families.

“In traditional families, there is often a strong expectation to conform to societal roles and norms, with family honour and reputation of paramount importance. These families may encourage careers that are not only stable but also socially acceptable,” said Parashar.

Family expectations are seen to discriminate based on gender as well. For women, Prashar said, the pressure is even greater when it comes to undertaking unconventional career paths. Instead of prioritising family life, marriage, and stability, pursuing career aspirations that involve long, late hours of hard work, travel, and public scrutiny is frowned upon. In certain families, academic achievements, a stable career and a steady income that follows are considered the ultimate markers of success.

However, as actors and icons become increasingly vocal about their journeys, there’s a cultural shift underway. One that is encouraging younger generations to prioritise job satisfaction and personal fulfilment over titles and salaries, said Parashar. Actors, musicians, writers, and artists who have achieved global recognition and success serve as role models, showing that creative careers are viable and respected.

“The visibility and opportunities available to creators on these platforms have made it easier for individuals to succeed in creative careers without traditional industry gatekeepers,” she said, adding that this has shifted societal attitudes, as families see their children thriving in creative fields that offer personal and financial rewards.