Deepika Padukone has always been more than just a force to reckon with on the big screen. Right from her work as an activist for mental health causes to her success as an entrepreneur, she has brought about positive changes through her influence. To mark her 40th birthday, the global superstar took to giving back to society to celebrate. She launched The OnSet Program in collaboration with various organizations to find talented individuals to shape for the future of the film industry.

This is not a talent hunt show but a whole ecosystem created to fill the space between wannabe artists and the world. Focusing on learning experiences and activities, Deepika is opening a whole avenue for young enthusiasts who do not necessarily have access to the top levels.

What is The OnSet Program?

The OnSet Program represents the final development in her “Create With Me” series of initiatives. Indeed, her past endeavors focused on collaboration in general, but her latest project involves a highly specialized form of experiential education. The target audience for her project consists of technicians and creative thinkers from various departments looking to develop a sustainable career in the entertainment industry.

Unlike conventional film schools, which tend to be highly theoretical in nature, this program focuses more on actual experience. This is a selective professional setup where people of great potential are given opportunities to work on big projects. The endeavor is to create a platform where raw talent is observed, heard, and witnessed by the best in the trade.

Nurturing Talent Beyond the Limelight

What is most striking about “The OnSet Program” is the level of inclusiveness it embodies when it comes to technical aspects. Usually, the areas that have been addressed in such programs are merely the fields of acting or/and directing. Deepika has made sure that the foundation of cinema gets the same amount of importance. The first level of the program includes the following:

• Writing and Direction: Writing the stories of tomorrow.
• Cinematography and Lighting: Learning the visual vocabulary of cinema.
• Editing and Sound Design: Refining the editing rhythm.
• Art Direction and Costume Design: World building.
• Hair, Makeup, & Production: Taking care of every detail on location.

By opening doors for techies, Deepika is meeting the need for qualified personnel who work in the background to make the magic of the movies happen.

A Mission to Give Back

Deepika expressed in her announcement: “This project comes from a very personal urge to give back to the creative community. I have been a part of the industry for a long time and have taken so much. I think I was ready to give back and help a few people get a start. It’s my little effort to make sure the future of the Indian film industry is diverse, skilled, and professional.”

The show rates the contestants on their skill, intent, and readiness and not on the number of years of experience they have in the field. This gives a level-playing field to talented people from small towns or non-filmy backgrounds who have the mettle to make it big.

Why It Matters in the Industry

The Indian film industry is at a stage of massive transition. With the emerging trend of online streaming and big budget productions, there has never been a need for superior quality technical talents. The OnSet Program is a quality filter that locates producers with the calibre to head their own productions. Further, making use of her own brand and production house, Deepika is establishing a direct channel for talents. It helps in making sure that the contestants are not simply learning in a vacuum but are actually channeled into the workforce.

How Aspiring Creators Can Apply

For those ready to take the step, the requirements are easy to follow but very exclusive. Interested technicians and artists only need to submit their work to the official page at onsetprogram.in. Members are encouraged to submit their portfolios to have a preview of their creative vision. “The program offers the opportunity to learn from the best and gain firsthand experience that would otherwise never be available to a newcomer,” it says. It’s a golden opportunity for a newcomer who has the patience to learn.