Snapshots
There’s a new entrant in the Hollywood Walk of Fame 2026 class, and it is none other than Indian actress Deepika Padukone. Alongside world-renowned actors, she has created history as the first Indian actress to be immortalised in the Motion Pictures category. Not just versatile but Deepika Padukone is also unstoppable. Whether it is her taking on meaty roles in film like Padmaavat or stealing hearts in Hollywood outings like xXx: Return of Xander Cage. In addition to her TIME100 honours and support of mental health, her appearances on red carpets such as the Met Gala and Cannes in the past few years have also solidified her status as a worldwide celebrity. Watch out, world, Deepika’s walking on stars, and this time quite literally!
For audiences who have seen her meteoric rise, Deepika Padukone embodies charisma. She has time and again proven that she is not just stunning but also incredibly talented, and her impressive collection of 58 accolades and more than 128 nominations is a testimony to that. As she continues to shatter ceilings, break stereotypes, and kill both on and off screen, with brand endorsements such as Louis Vuitton and Cartier, this is an achievement that truly remarkable. And it is even a bigger step when it comes to POC representation. Every young brown girl who dreams with stars in her eyes is today looking at Deepika Padukone Hollywood Walk of Fame accolade, enchanted and hopeful.
She’s not the only one, though. The Hollywood Walk of Fame 2026 class has some of the biggest names in the business giving Ms Deepika Padukone company. We’ve got era-defining pop star Miley Cyrus, a very emotional Noah Wyle, everyone’s favourite chef Gordon Ramsay, poised Hollywood icons Emily Blunt and Rachel McAdams, Oscar winners Demi Moore, Timothée Chalamet, Rami Malek, Stanley Tucci, Sarah Michelle Gellar, plus legends like Shaq getting their own stars this year. Talk about star power!
While Deepika Padukone became the first Indian to get a star, international awards and recognitions aren’t new for film actors. From state honours to representation in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, here are some other Indian actors who’ve had global recognition matching their stature.
Shah Rukh Khan
Best to start the list with the most famous of them all. In 2014, SRK was honoured with France’s Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, the country’s highest cultural distinction, celebrating his extraordinary contributions to cinema and as a cultural bridge between India and the world.
Earlier, he also received the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2007, plus five honorary doctorates (Edinburgh, Bedfordshire, La Trobe, others) acknowledging his influence beyond Bollywood. From global red carpets to world tours, Shah Rukh Khan’s charisma resonates far more than just in film; he’s a beloved cultural ambassador whose star power transcends borders.
The latest in the list was Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism that he flew to the 77th edition of the Locarno Film Festival for. Oh, and did you know there’s a picture of SRK and Kajol from DDLJ at the Saanen Bridge in Switzerland, because of just how many people visit it after watching the Yash Chopra film? Simply iconic!
Vir Das
By winning "Best Comedy Series" for his Netflix special Vir Das: Landing in 2023, Vir Das made history as the first Indian comedian to win an International Emmy Award. In 2024, he not only won the prize but also became the first Indian to host the International Emmys. Over the years, Vir Das has gained immense popularity for doing a fantastic job of introducing Indian humour to a global audience with his razor-sharp wit and unapologetically honest style. The recognition at the international awards was just the cherry on top!
Om Puri
While others on the list have had many domestic wins, when it came to constant international recognition for his work, it had to be the veteran actor Om Puri. In 2004, Om Puri received an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in appreciation of his significant contributions to both British and foreign film.
If you’ve seen his work, you’d know Puri was a multi-talented actor who moved between Indian parallel cinema and international movies with ease. OBE recognised not just his acting prowess but also his contribution to strengthening intercultural ties via the arts. Affectionately recognised as one of the best actors in world cinema, in 1998, he was also awarded Grand Prix Special des Amériques at the Montreal World Film Festival for his exceptional contribution to cinematographic art.
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is another name that has had international recognition like no other. In January 2007, Big B received France's highest civilian award, the Officer of the Légion d'Honneur, in recognition of his significant achievements to film and intercultural influence.
In addition, he was named the "Actor of the Century" at the Alexandria International Film Festival, awarded the renowned Medal of Honour from Morocco, granted honorary citizenship of Deauville, and even carried the Olympic torch in the 2012 relay in London. Phew! The list is long!