Deepika Padukone — On life at the top
Life is good. Who would know that better than Deepika Padukone, who’s on a high after Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani struck box office gold. In a candid tête-à-tête, the actress opened up about her equation with real life ex beau Ranbir Kapoor, with whom she starred with in the money spinner, success, reel life characters that got her recognition and her upcoming films Chennai Express and Ram Leela.
"I have always believed that chemistry can't be created between two people. You either have it or you don't. The script can only enhance it. I am glad that Ranbir and I do," said Deepika, who was seen with Ranbir in Bachna Ae Haseeno.
Deepika in the blockbuster Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
"He has been a very special person for me in my life. I am glad that we share an on- screen chemistry. I am looking forward to doing more films with him," the 27-year-old said to IANS.
Among the current crop, the leggy lass is now sitting pretty right at the top but she believes in only competing with herself.
"I think it completely depends on what each one's understanding of competition is. For me, competition is good; that is what keeps me on my toes and keeps me going. I am always trying to better my own work, do better than my earlier films...do films that are challenging and exciting for me. That is my competition," she said.
What does success mean to her?
"At some level, I feel it is nice to know that a film of yours is doing well at the box office and has also got great reviews. That feels like success," she explained.
"The best feeling is when you are remembered for the character you play on the screen and people associate you with that character. There is no better feeling than that feeling," added the actress.
Coming from a sports background, the actress, who started her career in Hindi films with runaway 2007 hit Om Shanti Om says that the position she enjoys in the industry wasn’t just handed to her on a plate.
"I have worked really hard with a lot of commitment, dedication and sacrifice. But it is not like a race. I am not looking at the finishing line. The opportunities in this industry are limitless and the idea is to always do something new and exciting and enjoy your work," she added.
In most of her films, Deepika has portrayed roles that are close to today's youth. If her character Veronica in Cocktail was appreciated by the audiences, her popularity has reached its zenith after her Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.
Deepika in Cocktail
"In terms of what was more challenging, it was Veronica. But I think I have got more appreciation for this film (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani)” she said.
"While I feel like a lot of people have loved me as Veronica, they love this (Naina) even more, which I find surprising as for me Veronica was more challenging and is completely against the type of person I am. For me, Naina Talwar is the person I am. I completely identify with that character," she said.
The actress is playing special roles in her forthcoming films Chennai Express and Ram Leela too.
"The next two films are very special. I play a south Indian girl in Chennai Express and a Gujarati in Ram Leela. I won't go into the details of the characters or the films. These two films will be different from what we have done before," she said, and signed off saying: "I want to enjoy the success of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani".