Deepika Padukone makes a mark

Deepika Padukone’s Hollywood debut xXx: Return of Xander Cage has come in for extreme criticism in India, upon its release two weeks ago and in the US last week. To be fair, it’s not a critic-friendly film. However, Deepika’s performance in the film was appreciated by several people. For an Indian actress to be noticed and appreciated in a film that has many big names, is a big deal. Here’s what the foreign press said about her.

‘Brings emphatic honour to thievery’

Slant magazine’s Jack Cole felt that DP stood out among the cast, stating, “Some of those in Xander’s diverse crew are barely allowed to make an impression, but Deepika Padukone brings emphatic honour to the thieving Serena Unger.”

‘Equals male stars’

The Chicago Tribune’s Katie Walsh celebrated the fact that the adrenaline-fuelled action flick gave enough space for the female characters to shine. She says, “The film’s negotiations of gender and sexuality are complicated at best. Rose, Padukone and Collette play empowered, fierce women, equals to their male counterparts. xXx even passes the Bechdel test.”

‘Outclasses Vin, steals film’

The Hollywood Reporter’s Frank Scheck went one step further by saying that Vin Diesel, who plays the title role, was “certainly outclassed here by such co-stars as Padukone, who practically steals the film.” He went on to mock Diesel, by adding, “The way his franchise-heavy career is going, he seems to be auditioning for a future gig as a Celebrity Apprentice host.”

Sky Cinema: Deepika Padukone holds her own in the all-action line-up in xXx: Return Of Xander Cage.