'There is only one Shah Rukh'

The first-floor corridor of Jumeirah Beach Hotel's conference centre is knee-deep in reporters, TV and radio crew.

Downstairs in the ballroom, the invited guests are beginning to gather for the music launch of Om Shanti Om. Upstairs, we are waiting for Shah Rukh Khan, who has to face us before he faces his crowd of fans.

Would we like to interview Deepika Padukone while we wait for King Khan, we're asked politely. Of course, we chorus.

I'm ushered into a smaller room. There sits Deepika, glorious in a scarlet Anarkali-style Tarun Tahiliani churidar-kurta. Her skin glows, dusky cheek bones blushing pink. Her hair is faultless, her smile dazzling. I can understand exactly why Farah Khan is reportedly gushing about her new find.

Deepika is not new to fame, although Om Shanti Om is her first Hindi film. The daughter of badminton ace Prakash Padukone has been a successful model for several years. Now she makes her Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan, under the direction of Farah Khan.

Enviable, by any standards. But that doesn't seem to have turned her head. She speaks little — but is still refreshingly candid.

Excerpts from a quick chat:

You're being hailed as the freshest new face in Bollywood in years. How does that feel?

It's nice to get compliments. It means there's a lot of hard work to be done and plenty of living up to expectations.

How did Om Shanti Om happen?

Farah [Khan, the director] had seen a couple of my television commercials. She called me up and said she wants to meet me. When we met, she said she'd like to cast me in her film.

Your reaction?

I didn't react. I just smiled and said 'thank you'. But inside, my heart was dancing. Even now, when I sit down with my family, it's very difficult for me to explain exactly what I felt. It was so very special.

Were you in awe of Shah Rukh Khan?

Shah Rukh has been very, very supportive. We met before we started shooting and he was very humble. We spoke about our personal lives and we got to a great comfort level. He used to discuss the scenes before we shot them and give me ideas.

Farah called me home as well. They all looked after me very well. I didn't feel like a newcomer, they all made me so welcome.

What was your favourite moment during the shooting?

Actually, it wasn't even a scene. One day, I had fever but I went in for the shoot anyway. Shah Rukh was a couple of steps away during the scene and suddenly he put everyone on hold. 'One second, I think she has fever,' he said. He took me to my van and scolded me. 'How can you come to shoot with fever? This is your film, you decide when you want to shoot'.

He got me medicines, made me have them, and left only when the fever came down.

So, very good memories of SRK then…

I truly grew up watching Shah Rukh's films. Yes there's Mr Bachchan, Devsaab, Dilipsaab [Amitabh Bachchan, Dev Anand and Dilip Kumar, all legendary actors]. But for our generation it's Shah Rukh. There's only one Shah Rukh.

Then acting with him is like a dream come true?

Absolutely. And I'm still living that dream. Haven't woken up yet.

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