In a delightful glimpse into her personal life, Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone recently opened up her handbag for Vogue India, revealing it to be far more than just an accessory. Declaring it her "party bag," Padukone showcased a meticulously curated collection of daily essentials, sentimental treasures, and practical life hacks that tell a story far beyond glamour.
Sentimental Tokens & Grounding Memories
The contents of Deepika's bag offer a heartfelt look at what keeps her grounded amidst a hectic global schedule. One of the most cherished items is her keychain, adorned with miniature macarons picked up in Paris. It holds keys to every part of her home, from the main door to the safe, but the French touch brings a personal smile. She emphasised the importance for an actor to carry a memory that fosters a sense of rootedness, especially when constantly traveling between cities and countries.
Another deeply personal item is her notebook and pencil, a habit instilled by her father, badminton legend Prakash Padukone. "This is something my father taught me. I prefer writing things down, and I carry a pencil," she shared, admitting to being "a little old school" in an era dominated by mobile notes. The pencil serves a dual purpose, also acting as an acting exercise tool to help dialogue flow more smoothly.
Practical Essentials & Pandemic-Era Hacks
Padukone's bag doubles as a compact survival kit, packed for efficiency. She prioritises laminated airline cards over credit cards, a practice learned from her mother, a former travel agent, who taught her the value of collecting miles from age 18. She enjoys the surprised reactions she gets when presenting these cards at counters.
Her "most essential kit" is a veritable mini-pharmacy and beauty bar, containing everything from medicines and wet wipes to Alka-Seltzer for hangovers and safety pins. A universal travel adapter is a non-negotiable for her jet-setting lifestyle. The pandemic also led to a clever addition: a portable phone stand that became her "best friend" for better-angled Zoom calls, ensuring her nostrils "don't show too much."
Beauty On-The-Go & Universal Relatability
Understanding the needs of long-haul travel, Deepika's beauty stash is designed for quick refreshment. It includes a face mist to revive her skin during flights and a mouth freshener. She also touched on a universally relatable woe for women: the frantic search for a hair tie. "Every woman who's seeing this will feel me," she said, explaining why a scrunchie is a permanent resident in her bag.
This intimate reveal goes beyond a simple "what's in my bag" feature. It paints a picture of Deepika Padukone as a globally mobile yet sentimentally grounded individual, who values her father's lessons, her mother's tips, and practical solutions for a life perpetually in the spotlight and on the move.
