Deepika Padukone, one of Bollywood's most successful and influential actors, continues to break new ground. Known for her performances, iconic fashion moments, and strong voice for mental health awareness, the star recently surprised fans by revealing that she has officially lent her voice to Meta AI. Sharing a reel on Instagram, Deepika wrote: "I'm now part of Meta AI and you can chat with my voice... Okay, this is pretty cool, I think!" Her voice is now available to users across India, the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Her Voice Was Once Mocked
While fans celebrated this milestone, Deepika reflected on how far she has come. In a recent interview with CNBC-TV18, she shared that in the early years of her career, her voice and accent were often mocked. "And my accent," she added, explaining that she chose to own it rather than change herself.
Director Farah Khan, who launched Deepika in Om Shanti Om, had also said in old interviews that Deepika's diction wasn't strong at the time. Her lines were dubbed while she took speech classes 'not very seriously.' Deepika now finds it 'strange' and almost poetic that the same voice people once criticised is now powering a major global AI tool.
Deepika on AI in the Film Industry
When asked about AI's growing influence in filmmaking, Deepika said she was "excited about the possibilities." She acknowledged how AI tools are helping creators make films and series faster and at much lower costs like the recently released Mahabharat - Ek Dharmayudh.
However, she was clear about one thing: "The only thing AI cannot replace is human emotion."
She explained that acting is rooted in feelings, soul, and lived experiences, something technology cannot mimic. While she embraces innovation, she believes the emotional core of storytelling will always remain human.
As debates on AI replacing jobs grow across industries, Deepika remains optimistic but grounded, confident that technology can assist but not replace genuine human expression.