Ggetting Dippyabout Deepika

Deepika Padukone is a veritable buzz factory. Possessing a face that has launched dozens of advertising campaigns, along with a monster blockbuster movie, this 22-year -old seems destined to rule Bollywood. TSI’s Gauri Pratap Singh caught up with the latest teen sex symbol (see survey) to talk about love, life and cinema.

Did you ever imagine that you would get a chance to make your debut opposite SRK?
Honestly, I did not think it would be with SRK…as a matter of fact, I thought I would never do movies. I just wanted to make it big in modelling and maybe do some interior designing. However, I started to get offers to act, and then Farah offered me OSO. On a whim I decided to give it a shot. I could have not asked for anything better than to have Farah direct me and for SRK to be my co-star.
Your dad belongs to a sports background and you were a state level badminton player. Tell us how did modelling happen? How supportive was your family?
I had a friend whose mother was a modeling coordinator and she used to come to school often to drop her off. It was there that she saw me and suggested to my mother that I should do few campaigns. I was in high school and my parents, after some initial hesitation, were also okay with it.
They believe that it’s really important to do what one enjoys doing. They never forced me to play badminton or even to take it up professionally. I was always given the freedom to pick the career of my choosing.
You have modelled for the Kingfisher Calendar, which is a little risqué. How did your family react?
My parents have given me good morals and values and apart from that, they trust me that I would do the right kind of work. Also, I did the swimsuit shoot because I was very fit at that time and I blindly trusted Atul Kasbekar (the photographer). Moreover, I think that the calendar was shot in a very classy manner.
You are one of those few ladies in tinseltown who has a perfect figure. How much effort does it take to maintain your body? Do you enjoy working out?
Honestly, I don’t work out at all. However, I need to start working out because I am putting on a little weight. Chocolates are my weakness, this is something I’ll never be able to give up.
Tell us about your first shot with SRK? You must have been very nervous.
I was very nervous initially, but it was very nice of Farah to have introduced me to Shahrukh and the others, before we started shooting. Farah made sure that I met Sharukh a lot of times so that I get comfortable with him...they all have so much experience and I’ve got to learn a lot from both of them. Farah also spaced out my scenes and shots in a way that I had less dialogues initially, the tougher scenes where left for later.
Tell us what was your first dialogue?
“Kutte kamine, bhagwan ke liye mujhe chhodh de.” (laughs)
Controversies always follow a public figure. How much do they disturb you?
Frankly, it doesn’t bother me at all. Enough tamasha has been made out of my personal life. Beyond a point, you just stop reading these things. You get used to it. The way I look at it, media has been nice enough to write good things about me as far as my work is concerned. So it’s okay. Talking about your link ups with Dhoni, Yuvraj and Ranbir Kapoor...which one is true? These things are bound to happen. If two famous people are seen together more than twice, they are linked. In Dhoni’s case, I don’t see how if I am his favourite actress or if he has a crush on me, can give the media the wrong ideas. With respect to Yuvraj, a lot of things have been said. All I want to say is that I have moved on and am happy where I am today and don’t want to talk about it anymore.
Now you’re in a relationship with Ranbir; how did that happen?
We got to know each other during a movie shoot We spent a lot of time together getting to know each other. Ultimately it blossomed into a relationship. It was beautiful, because we were friends first and then we fell in love.Almost every model dreams of entering the beauty pageants. We’ve had quite a few examples in our country. What are your thoughts on that?
For me, I always wanted to be India’s supermodel with out being a part of any beauty pageant, and I think to some extent I have managed to achieve it.
You have had an experience with modelling and acting. Which field do you prefer more? What advice would you like to give to those girls who plan to enter this field?
Both the industries are very different. If you are a part of a movie, you are living a character for minimum six months or a year. In a modelling campaign however, there is no such connection, you walk a ramp and it gets over in one day and for an advertisement it’s about two days and then you move on. Movies require a lot more time and effort and they stay with you for the rest of your life. From the outside, this world looks very glamorous and rosy, but it’s very challenging mentally, emotionally and physically. Therefore, enter this field if you think you’re ready for all that.
How do your parents react to the Deepika Padukone phenomenon? It’s certainly a new scheme of things for them.
They are very proud and happy. It’s new for them, and for me as well. Moreover, I always consult with them and try to keep them well informed.
You had entered the glamour world at a very young age. Were there any instances when you were taken for granted or maybe someone tried to take advantage of you, considering that you were a novice?
Never. I think this whole ‘casting couch’ thing, or whatever it is that you are talking about, depends on the way you carry yourself and how much are you willing to compromise. If you carry yourself in a dignified way and set boundaries early, there is no way that someone will get any wrong ideas.