Deepika Padukone finds Ranveer Singh one of the finest actors. She tells Karan Bhardwaj why she keeps variety in her work
Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh may live in denial about their alleged relationship but the actress is absolutely bowled over by Singh’s talent and conviction. Ask about her Ram-leela co-star, she labels him as one of the finest actors of the Hindi film industry. “He is one of the most talented and versatile actors I have worked with. This is just the beginning of his career and he has shown such remarkable growth. He has managed to do so many diverse roles. Ranveer challenges the image people have of him with every movie. He gets into the character totally,” she said.
Padukone neither objects to the link-up stories nor gets affected by them. “Publicists need to answer why leading pairs are romantically linked when the film comes. According to me, our on-screen chemistry must sizzle. What’s a love story if it doesn’t inspire youIJ” she said adding, “It is bound to happen with romantic movies. For me work is important,” she said.
The 27-year-old is striking gold at box office with blockbusters like Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Chennai Express. “I am glad that people have loved my work. I hope they accept Ram-leela with as much purity and love as we have put in the film.” Padukone says she does cinema that excites her. “It must cater to different audience. I must enjoy it. For me, cinema is like a food platter. Have some Thai, some Chinese and some Indian to make a perfect platter. It all depends on choice. So when scripts come to me, I apply the same formula. I don’t do films just for the heck of doing something different. It’s important that I feel connected,” she said.
Already a lot is expected from Ram-leela. Was it difficult to live up to the expectations of a tough taskmaster like Sanjay leela BhansaliIJ “He is a demanding director. When I finished shooting, I realised the burden of expectations. He has challenged me at every level. That’s the beauty of his style. He taps the side of you which no other would do. My takeaway from Ram-leela is that there is no right or wrong in any performance or scene. There is no approach to shoot the scene. The director has the ability to turn around the scene,” she said. That’s probably the reason why the actor didn’t prepare at all for the big-budget film. “Apart from understanding the character, there was no special homework. In fact, I was told not to prepare at all. Sanjay shoots in his style and in the end, you realise that he has got what he wanted. I have been following his cinema from Khamoshi, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam to Guzaarish.”
At present, she is shooting for Finding Fanny Fernandes and will also be seen with Rajinikanth in Kochadaiiyaan. “I shot for three days for the film. Rajini sir is very humble and simple,” she said.
Apart from acting, Padukone has also entered into fashion with her recent line with Van Heusen. “It was a natural progression. I gave 50 per cent inputs to the brand. I saw every single piece that we did together. It is inspired by the old Hollywood glamour for the confident women of our times,” she said.