Deepika and Ranveer: Diwali in Dubai

Dubai: Bollywood stars Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh didn’t celebrate Diwali in a traditional manner this year. Instead, they headed to Dubai to talk shop and to ring in the Indian festival of lights.

“Ram Leela is a special film for all of us. I enjoyed playing Ram because he allowed me to play to my strengths as a performer,” said Ranveer Singh at a press conference at the Grand Hyatt on Sunday. He was accompanied by leading lady — his rumoured girlfriend — Deepika Padukone, whom he introduced as the “feisty, lovely Leela”.

Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ram Leela is Bollywood’s take on Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. Like all love stories, the success of this epic romance, set in Gujarat, depends on the chemistry between its lead pair.

“Chemistry can never be created. It’s inexplicable. Either you have it or not,” said Padukone, who has enjoyed a phenomenal year at the box office with blockbusters such as Chennai Express and Race 2. Her on-screen Ram was quick to echo her sentiments.

“In a film that’s about two people in love, you have to buy into the love story and for that to happen chemistry is that core or driving force that leads the film.”

The trailer shows the two as ferocious lovers who will kill for their passion. But Padukone insists that her character is progressive and emotionally strong, despite a domineering mother.

“Women of today will identify with my character. The modern-day Juliet never succumbs to expectations from family. Earlier, family dictated who a woman should marry. But today’s Juliet is not afraid of speaking their mind or dating the person they like. They are open to discussing the person that they like,” said Padukone, a self-titled romantic.

After attending the press event, the stars were due to meet their fans at Juice World in Rigga.

Ram Leela releases in the UAE on November 14.