Deepika Padukone on dealing with insiders at the start of her career: 'Nepotism existed, it will continue to exist'

Deepika Padukone is undoubtedly one of the biggest superstars of the country. The outsider carved her own niche by delivering back-to-back blockbusters like Om Shanti Om, Chennai Express, Race 2, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, RamLeela, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, Piku, Cocktail, Pathaan and many others.In a recent interview, the gorgeous lady opened up about her struggling days and accepted that nepotism will stay in the industry. “When you were an outsider 15 or 20 years ago, there was no other option. It's an uphill task for any individual trying to make a mark in a field or profession that their parents don't come from. The fact that we've started to articulate things like nepotism is a new trend. It existed then, it exists now and it will continue to exist. That was my reality,” said the actress while having a conversation with Vogue.DP revealed that she is proud of her achievements and said, “Back then, I had so many things to deal with, not just professionally but also personally. I was a teenager moving to a new city with no family or friends in a new industry. I had to figure out my meals (a time before Swiggy or Zomato, mind you) and transport, and lug my own bags around. I never thought of it as a burden back then. I'd finish late at night, exhausted, then carry my suitcase across town in a cab and sometimes fall asleep on the drive back home. My mother would be so worried about whether I would get home safe. Today when I look back at that journey, I think, ‘Not bad, girl! You did this and you did it on your own.' But at that moment, there was no time to reflect.”On the work front, Deepika is gearing up for two biggies next year, which include Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan & Kamal Haasan starrer Kalki 2898 AD & Hrithik Roshan starrer Fighter.