EXCLUSIVE: Avinash Gowariker Recalls FIRST Meeting With ‘Stunning’ Deepika Padukone For Om Shanti Om; Says, “Look Test Became The Poster”

Avinash Gowariker is a renowned photographer celebrated for his work in celebrity and advertising photography, particularly within the Bollywood industry. He started his career as an assistant director and has worked with Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Deepika Padukone and others. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, Avinash Gowariker recalls his first meeting with Deepika Padukone for Om Shanti Om’s look test and called it special.

Avinash Gowariker Opens Up On First Photoshoots Of Bollywood Stars

Talking about his first photoshoots of Bollywood stars, Avinash Gowariker said, “I’ve been really fortunate to shoot the very first photo shoots of many people. I don’t like to name-drop. But yes, I’ve done the first shoots for quite a few now-famous faces. Like Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Ananya Panday, and even Suhana Khan. It’s extremely exciting for me, and on two levels.”

He added, “First, when you’re shooting someone’s son or daughter, it almost feels like family. You get this emotional connection and think, ‘Wow, I’m capturing this moment.’ That excitement is incredible. And second, when you’re working with complete newcomers, there’s this fresh energy. And you get to see firsthand how talented they are. How they carry themselves, how they perform—it’s fascinating.”

Avinash Gowariker Recalls Deepika Padukone’s Look Test In Om Shanti Om

Gowariker recalled, “I’ll never forget when Farah (Khan) made me do the look test for Deepika Padukone for Om Shanti Om. That image, where she’s looking like a dream girl in the pink dress, was later used as a poster in the film.”

Deepika Padukone as ‘Dream Girl’ Shanti from Om Shanti Om

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He concluded, “That was the first time I met her. And even then, I remember thinking, ‘She’s stunning.’ Of course, she was already a successful model. But that shoot felt really special.”

Watch The Full Interview

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Avinash Gowariker Reveals How He Shot Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone’s Chennai Express Poster; Says, “The Film Was Pure Magic”