Deepika Padukone takes on the role of Shakti Shetty, also known as Lady Singham, in Rohit Shetty’s highly anticipated cop ensemble Singham Again. However, her portrayal has left the internet less than impressed. Fans and critics are voicing mixed reactions, with many feeling that her new avatar hasn’t lived up to expectations.
Deepika Padukone’s Role in Singham Again Fails to Impress the Internet: Fans Divided Over Her Performance
Since last year, Deepika Padukone has been on an impressive streak of back-to-back blockbusters, including Pathaan, Jawan, and Kalki 2898 AD. Her powerful performances and star presence in these films have kept her in the spotlight as one of Bollywood’s top actresses. Now, she is set to return to the big screen in Rohit Shetty’s much-anticipated cop ensemble Singham Again. However, despite the excitement around the film, early reactions to Deepika’s character in the trailer have left the internet unimpressed.
Introduction of Shakti Shetty aka “Lady Singham”
In Singham Again, Deepika Padukone takes on the role of Shakti Shetty, also known as “Lady Singham,” a bold and fierce police officer joining the ranks of Ajay Devgn’s iconic Singham universe. The trailer, which was released on Monday, introduced audiences to her character, and she made quite an entrance, wearing the signature khaki uniform and sunglasses, ready to take on criminals with her male counterparts. As Shakti Shetty, she is seen leading action-packed sequences alongside the film’s ensemble cast, which includes Ranveer Singh, Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff, Arjun Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, and Akshay Kumar.
Deepika’s portrayal of Shakti Shetty also features her speaking in a Marathi accent, a nod to the local roots of her character. In one scene, she confidently refers to herself as “Lady Singham,” signaling that she is ready to uphold justice and carry forward the legacy of Rohit Shetty’s beloved cop universe.
Mixed Reactions to Deepika’s Performance
Despite the excitement surrounding Singham Again, many netizens were less than impressed with Deepika’s portrayal of Shakti Shetty. Social media platforms quickly became flooded with opinions, and the response to her character’s introduction in the trailer was overwhelmingly critical.
One X (formerly Twitter) user shared a clip of Deepika’s moment from the trailer and commented, “naah (crying emojis), what is wrong with her.” Another user pointed out that they never expected anyone to perform worse than Arjun Kapoor and Tiger Shroff, writing, “Never thought after seeing Arjun Kapoor and Tiger (Shroff) in the cast, someone could act worse than him. But congratulations, Deepika.”
The criticism didn’t stop there. Some users even compared Deepika’s appearance and performance to other actors, expressing disappointment that she had not evolved much over the years. One tweet juxtaposed her role in Singham Again with a throwback clip of filmmaker Farah Khan discussing Deepika’s acting in her debut film, Om Shanti Om (2007). In the video, Farah remarks that Deepika’s diction wasn’t polished when she entered Bollywood. The tweet’s caption read, “It’s been 17 years! And she hasn’t improved a bit. The greatest trick Deepika Padukone has ever pulled was convincing a bunch of teenagers that she is a good actress. No doubt she has stopped signing movies she needs to carry on her own.”
Another comparison was made between Deepika’s look in Singham Again and Nayanthara’s appearance in Jawan, where the actress was lauded for her portrayal of a strong and authoritative character. A meme circulating online labeled Nayanthara as “What you order online” and Deepika as “What you get,” implying that Deepika’s portrayal fell short in comparison.
Rohit Shetty’s Direction Under Scrutiny
While some fans directed their frustration at Deepika’s acting, others put the blame on the director, Rohit Shetty. Known for his successful run of action-packed masala films, Shetty has delivered multiple hits with his Singham and Golmaal franchises. However, some fans believe that Shetty’s direction may have limited Deepika’s potential in this role.
A comment on Reddit criticized Shetty for not bringing out the best in Deepika’s performance, with one user stating, “Shetty has somehow managed to make even THAT smile annoying (crying emoji).” Others also expressed concern about her exaggerated “Tapori” accent, which many felt was over the top. One comment read, “It’s the forced ‘Tapori’ (street) accent she is trying to pull. Heyy bhagwan (Oh God). It’s not working.”
The internet seems to be divided on whether the fault lies with the actress or the director, but what remains clear is that Deepika’s performance has sparked heated debate among fans.
Comparisons with Nayanthara in Jawan
One of the most frequent comparisons drawn by fans was between Deepika Padukone’s look in Singham Again and Nayanthara’s character in the recently released Jawan, in which she also played a tough, no-nonsense police officer. Nayanthara’s performance in Jawan was widely praised, and her look was considered one of the film’s highlights.
In contrast, fans found Deepika’s look in Singham Again less impactful, with some even creating memes that poked fun at the similarities between the two. A viral meme compared their respective looks, with Nayanthara representing “What you order online,” and Deepika symbolizing “What you get.”
A Big Moment for Deepika Post Motherhood
- Singham Again* holds additional significance for Deepika Padukone as it marks her first film after welcoming her daughter last month. Fans were excited to see how motherhood might influence her return to the silver screen. Her husband, Ranveer Singh, also stars in the film, reprising his role as the quirky cop Simmba.
The couple’s on-screen chemistry has been a talking point in previous collaborations, and fans are eager to see how they perform together in this latest venture. With an ensemble cast that includes Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Tiger Shroff, Akshay Kumar, and Arjun Kapoor, Singham Again is poised to be a major Diwali release, slated to hit theaters on November 1.
What Lies Ahead for *Singham Again?
Despite the initial criticism of Deepika’s performance, Singham Again remains one of the most anticipated films of the year. Rohit Shetty’s cop universe has a dedicated fan base, and the film’s massive ensemble cast ensures that there will be plenty of high-octane action and entertainment. The internet’s harsh reaction may fade once the full film is released, allowing audiences to see how Deepika’s Shakti Shetty fits into the overall story.
It is also worth noting that trailers do not always capture the complete scope of a character’s arc, and there may be more to Shakti Shetty’s role in the film than what the brief glimpse in the trailer revealed.
Final Thoughts
While the internet has been critical of Deepika Padukone’s performance in the Singham Again trailer, it is too soon to judge the full extent of her portrayal of Shakti Shetty. With a film as star-studded and action-packed as this, there is still hope that Deepika will prove her critics wrong once the movie hits theaters. For now, the buzz surrounding her role has certainly stirred conversation, ensuring that Singham Again remains at the center of attention leading up to its Diwali release.
Stay tuned to Club4Celebs for more updates.
