Maybe not a kingmaker, but Himesh Reshammiya can surely be called a queenmaker.
If ‘Luck By Chance’ taught us anything, it’s that in Bollywood, success often comes down to timing and one right opportunity. One has to be at the right place, at the right time, with the right people. Just like Rishi Kapoor’s character gave Farhan Akhtar his shot in the film, real life has its own behind-the-scenes stories of unexpected breaks. One such story stars Himesh Reshammiya, not just as a composer or singer, but as someone who spotted raw talent before the rest of the industry did. On his birthday, here’s a throwback to the time he gave a now-superstar her very first break, long before she was crowned Bollywood’s queen. Guess who?
For most of us, Deepika’s entry into Bollywood is tied to her glamorous double role opposite Shah Rukh Khan in 'Om Shanti Om'. But if you rewind just a bit, her first on-screen appearance happened in the mid-2000s, thanks to Himesh Reshammiya’s chartbuster “Naam Hai Tera.”
In the music video from his hit album Aap Kaa Surroor, Deepika was front and center, radiating screen presence and natural charm. With no prior acting experience, she moved with grace and emoted with a confidence that caught everyone’s attention.
Years later, on Indian Idol 11, Deepika recalled that shoot fondly: “I didn’t know the first thing about facing the camera. Himesh Sir gave me my first break, and I learned everything on that set. Thank you for believing in me." Himesh, in turn, remarked with a smile, “There were other girls in the video, but only Deepika shone like a star.”
So, how did it all come together? At the time, Deepika was a promising young model from Bangalore, slowly making a name for herself in the fashion world. Himesh, who was riding high on the success of his music, happened to come across her during her early modeling days. Known for his sharp instinct for spotting talent, he saw something different in her and decided to cast her as the lead in “Naam Hai Tera.”
Deepika had never faced the camera for a video before. But Himesh believed in her potential, guiding her through the shoot. What followed was a performance that stood out. That brief appearance helped introduce her to millions, including key people in the industry.
(Credit: Pop Chartbusters)
When “Naam Hai Tera” was released, it was an instant hit. The song topped the charts, but it was Deepika’s graceful presence in the video that got everyone talking. She stood out not just among the other models featured but among the many fresh faces the music industry had seen.
Audiences loved her elegance. Filmmakers took notice. In fact, Farah Khan, who later directed 'Om Shanti Om', has said she first noticed Deepika in that very video. Looking back, Himesh summed it up perfectly: “Not everyone turned out to be Deepika Padukone.”
Happy Birthday, Himesh!
