Actor Deepika Padukone says she had fun playing a “wicked” character in Cocktail.
Now gearing up for distinct films like Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Ram Leela, the actor says she is happy that she gets a “fair amount of choices” in Bollywood.
Post Cocktail and Race 2, would you say these are good times for you?
I was ready to take the risk of playing grey characters. Veronica in Cocktail was very different from what I’ve done so far. She didn’t live by any of the rules. But even Veronica was finally looking for the same things that all girls want: permanence, stability and faith in a relationship. The film’s writer, Imtiaz Ali and director Homi Adjania, had faith in me that I could pull it off. Their faith gave me the confidence to just go out there and play this wild child.
Everyone has this image of you as a sweet benevolent angel. How true is that?
Hey, just because I played grey characters, doesn’t mean I am not sweet. Jokes apart, it was fun to play a wicked character. I’d like to do it more often. I am playing quite an aggressive character in Ram Leela as well.
What’s it like being part of Ayan Mukerjee’s Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (YJHD)?
It’s a different [kind of film] from film-maker Ayan Mukerjee’s Wake Up Sid; YJHD will prove his versatility. He has kept the romance real and yet it is a fantasy. It’s entertaining, yet real.
How was it working with Ranbir Kapoor?
Great! We started off our careers on the same day — him with Saawariya and I with Om Shanti Om. To be working with him post Barfi!, when I have a Cocktail behind me, is different from working with him in Bachna Ae Haseeno, when we were both raw newcomers.
What is it like working with Ranbir after your break-up?
The past doesn’t come into play at all. We both focus on the work at hand. It’s a lot of fun and it’s because Ranbir, Ayan and I are friends. Ayan has seen Ranbir and me together. So there was a great comfort level.
Are you too busy to have fun?
I am having fun while working; I am enjoying every moment. I am glad I am working with such a variety of directors. My hands are full for the next one year. Nowadays your work isn’t done with the last day of shooting. There’s a lot of promotion that has to be done also.
As an actor in Bollywood, do you get enough substantial roles?
Yes, I get a fair amount of choices. There are so many different kinds of films being made and therefore so many roles. The year 2012 was amazing for cinema and 2013, seems equally exciting.
Are there any directors on your wish list?
I wished to work with film-maker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and it happened. It’s a dream come true. I never expected it would happen so early in my career. If there is anyone else of the calibre in my destiny, it would come to me. I am sure of that.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 12th, 2013.
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