She already had the looks when Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan took her on board for their last magnum opus Om Shanti Om (OSO).
Often referred to as "Dippy Deepi" by the Indian film media, Deepika Padukone, 23, in no manner came across as "dippy" when tabloid! caught up with her earlier this month. The Bollywood beauty visited our sandy shores for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as ambassador of Kingfisher Airline, the owner of the only Indian F1 team — Force India.
Tell us about your upcoming releases.
My next release is Kartik Calling Kartik, opposite Farhan Akhtar. It's a romantic thriller directed by a new director, Vijay Lalwani. I've also just finished an out-and-out comedy — Housefull, opposite Akshay Kumar, directed by Sajid Khan. And I've also signed [on for] a Yash Raj film.
Are you also working on Happy New Year?
Actually my debut Om Shanti Om was titled Happy New Year earlier. Now Farah Khan is working on another script with the same name, but I haven't been approached for it.
You are also slated to be in Corporate 2 with Madhur Bhandarkar.
No.
What keeps Deepika Padukone going?
Well, right now — my work. I'm completely enjoying myself. Ever since I've moved to Mumbai, there hasn't really been much time to sit down and think what I'm doing. As long as I know I'm enjoying it, I'm happy.
You've said you don't feel the need to be in an art film to prove your acting prowess. In today's context, what do you consider as art and commercial cinema?
Earlier, even a couple of years ago, there was commercial cinema and the so-called "art" cinema where actresses were taken more seriously if they did an art film, but I think today's cinema isn't like that.
Today, the roles women get to do are as much, if not more, as their male counterparts. Performance matters, not looking glamorous. I think the audience needs more content, because they understand cinema now.
You debuted in a Kannada (south Indian) film even though Om Shanti Om was already on…
Yes, I'd already signed [on for] Om Shanti Om, but it was a while before I was going to start shooting and I got the offer for this Kannada film.
Because I'm a Bangalorean and fluent in the language, Farah thought it was a good idea to get some experience. Another reason was that my co-star in the film was like the Shah Rukh of the south.
It has been seen that once an actress begins to do item numbers and cameo roles, her career begins to take a regressive turn. You have already done a couple of songs for south Indian and Hindi films, and are doing a cameo in Salman Khan's Main Aur Mrs Khanna.
The reason why I did the song for the south film was because I knew [the director] was launching two newcomers and I haven't forgotten I was in that position two years ago. I know the value of having a star in your film.
When I did OSO, I had practically the entire film industry performing an item song for me and I don't think any of their careers has ended. So, if I can help someone else's career by doing a song or a little scene and enhancing their film — which I also believe in — then why not?
Main Aur Mrs Khanna was purely for Salman. He was one of the first people to offer me a film — even before Farah and Shah Rukh — and not just once. But for some reason or the other things didn't work out. So I owed him at least this. I didn't even think twice when he called me.
I think in this industry everyone is friends and sometimes you do things for others rather than yourself, which is important to maintain any relationship.
All the films that you've done till now have been hits, except Chandni Chowk to China. Why did you opt for this film?
You know sometimes you believe in a script — of course, without knowing what its future would be. Sometimes things don't work out as you wanted them to.
Sometimes through the process of making the film, you realise that this not what you wanted to do but having said that, it was my decision to do the film and I believed in it.
Everyone has their share of hits and flops, and that's how you learn.
During the release of Chandni Chowk to China you said you wanted to be known as the "female Akshay Kumar"...
No I didn't say that.
That's what we want to know — whether it was because he's your favourite actor or was it a publicity stunt?
No I didn't say that. Why would I go around saying that I want to be the female Akshay Kumar? Someone told me "we've seen your action parts — you are just like Akshay Kumar", which I think is a huge compliment, but somehow it became my quote. But yes, if someone has noticed something like this and given [me] a compliment, then it's great.
Is Akshay your favourite star?
Well, he's one of my favourite stars.
You've worked with three of the top Bollywood stars, including Shah Rukh Khan. Who were you most comfortable working with?
You know, it's too early to tell as, apart from Akshay, I've worked only once with each one of them. I've not really repeated any of my co-stars, which I think is great as I'm getting the opportunity to work with different people.
So it's really difficult to say who I enjoy working with the most, because for me all of them have been in the industry way longer than I have been and it's a great learning experience.
I am in awe of them when I go on the sets and watch them perform — the kind of expressions they have and hear the kind of inputs they give.
Did you always want to be an actor?
Somewhere, yes. Subconsciously, I was aware this was my calling, even if I didn't work too hard towards it. I just knew I'd land up here. I think sometimes you just know where you are headed.
Do you think female actors can be friends?
Sure. I've a lot of friends in the industry, but I may not be as friendly with them as I would be [with] friends I've grown up with. Also, we are all part of a profession where each one is as busy as the other.
It's possible to forge friendships in the film industry, both male and female.
Movie sets are often arenas for practical jokes. Has anyone played one on you or have you been part of a prank?
Fortunately, not yet. I haven't been part of any either, except that I was informed at the last minute about one. It was on the sets of Kartik Calling Kartik. There is this scene where Farhan is being strangled with a phone wire.
The shot was really a tight one and it was possible for someone to hold the wire from behind Farhan. The director said ‘you know' I'll do it because he's safest in my hands.' But Farhan had already planned that during the scene he will pretend he's choking and dying. And all of us knew this except the director.
He wasn't even pulling the wire so tightly and suddenly here's Farhan falling on the ground coughing and then not breathing or opening his eyes and Vijay — being a newcomer, he's is always so careful and proper about everything — just went pale thinking something had actually happened and shouted for someone to call an ambulance.
What was amazing is how still Farhan was. He didn't move one bit until the very end. Vijay was pretty close to tears by the time it all ended. And we have it all on tape!
Have you had any scary incidents during shooting?
Yes. I remember during Om Shanti Om we had a little fire which was quite scary, because there was only one point of entry and exit and the fire was coming towards us in that direction. Arjun [Rampal] proved to be the saviour.
What's your passion, apart from acting?
I don't think I can call it a passion, but I love playing sports when I'm not working. Badminton, yoga, swimming — I basically like to be active.
What else?
Music. I love listening to music and at some point I want to sing.
Would you like to be part of a reality show?
I don't think so. I don't think I'm cut out for them. I can probably handle the action part of it but all those reptiles and mammals and strange creatures crawling all over you — I don't think I can take that.
The buzz is that Ranbir and Deepika have broken up. Is it true?
I think a lot has been said about this relationship. So, the less said the better.
But is the relationship still on?
I'm not saying anything. You can all keep speculating.
It's been rumoured that part of your beauty is due to cosmetic surgery.
What? I can name a lot of actresses who have, but unfortunately I'm not on that list and I would never be. I don't believe in "enhancing" what I've been gifted with, because it might work today but fall apart tomorrow.
I'm very happy with what God has given me. I'd be stupid if I even asked for more.
How are you giving back to society?
I'm trying to do my bit for Indian sports apart, from that I've not really attached myself to any social activity because I think there are enough people doing things for children or older people or Aids victims.
As I'm a sportsperson, I really feel that there is a lot of talent in our country which goes to complete waste because of lack of resources or facilities or family support to take on sports as a career.
Once I'm ready [and] in a position to help others — right now I'm helping myself — I plan to support some sportspeople.
