Deepika's now in a calm phase - An article

There has already been much speculation about Deepika Padukone's personal life, purported link-ups with cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, actors Shahid Kapur and of course, Ranbir Kapoor with whom she has reportedly broken up. The actor is immune to the grapevine, "So much has already been written about my link-ups that have not been clarified. This used to trouble me at one point. I don't think I need to clarify or justify. I have reached that calm phase now."
Her parents have been pillars of strength, "I talk to my mother when I am feeling low. She is my best friend. They know whom I am meeting or where I am going. They trust me and that is more than enough for me. They always tell me to ignore these things and concentrate on my work. I know that ultimately my work will take over."
And work is taking over. Whether to distract herself from her broken heart or not, she has been on a signing spree and has an interesting line-up of films in the offing. Karthik Calling Karthik is all set for release. Working with Farhan Akhtar has been an altogether different experience says Deepika, "I have learnt a lot from Farhan. I found him to be very meticulous and organised. At the same time, he has a great sense of humour."
Sajid Nadiadwala's Housefull will pair Deepika with Akshay Kumar again, after Chandni Chowk To China, "Though our first film together didn't do well, I was happy working with him again. We had a fun time. The film is a comedy, drama, romance, action — everything rolled into one." There's also Ashutosh Gowarikar's Khelenge Hum Jee Jaan Se with Abhishek Bachchan to look forward to, she says, "I think working in the film has been one of the most creatively satisfying experiences. I am playing a very strong character in it. I will also be shooting for Yash Raj Films' next with Neil Nitin Mukesh in March and then I have Break Ke Baad with Imraan Khan."
Working with actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Farhan Akhtar and now Abhishek Bachchan has helped Deepika grow as an actor, "My parents too point out that professionally I have improved with every performance."
Her sister is her biggest fan and most severe critic, a fact she relies on, to keep her grounded, "When she points out my flaws I feel she is the best judge and I try to better my performance the next time."
But living along in Mumbai and juggling everyone's commitments, geography and schedules is not always easy, "There are days when I feel low, but I overcome that by listening to music and doing yoga. I have a lot of friends back home and they are in constant touch. I guess that's the only negative of being here in Mumbai. My parents too are busy, I can't ask them to come over often. I miss them a lot."
And though the actor works hard to retain her niche in Bollywood, she is rarely seen socialising with her co-stars. "I do have friends in Bollywood," she says, "But yes, I don't socialise much. However, I have been well taken care of on the sets by everybody. I have been offered the best of movies with big banners and big stars and I never had the pressure to prove myself."