Deepika Padukone: We aim to build a healthier and focused generation that's inspired by sport

Mumbai: Bollywood star Deepika Padukone on Tuesday (June 10) celebrated her father, legendary badminton player Prakash Padukone's 70th birthday with a special gesture. The ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ actor announced that their Padukone School of Badminton (PSB) will expand to "75 centres" within a year of its launch.

Taking to Instagram, the Bollywood star captioned her post, “As someone who grew up playing badminton, I’ve experienced firsthand how much this sport can shape one’s life – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Through Padukone School of Badminton(PSB), we hope to bring the joy and discipline of Badminton to people from all walks of life, and build a generation that is healthier, more focused, and inspired by sport.”

For the unversed, Deepika Padukone is the daughter of the renowned badminton player Prakash Padukone. PSB was founded by Deepika and her father, who is also PSB’s mentor and advisor.

The 39-year-old actor has, in numerous interviews, mentioned playing badminton throughout her formative years.

PSB mentor Prakash Padukone said: “Sport is an integral part of growing up – it instills discipline, resilience, and a winning mindset that extends well beyond the court. With PSB, our goal is to make quality coaching accessible and affordable, nurture talent from the grassroots, and set a strong foundation for the future of Indian badminton.”

Prior to becoming an actress, Deepika Padukone competed at the national level in badminton. During her scholastic years, she participated in the sport competitively. Deepika participated in national competitions and represented Karnataka at the state level.

She ultimately decided to pursue a career in acting and modeling, though. She is currently one of the top-paid actors in India. She is married to Ranveer Singh and has an eight-month-old daughter, Dua.