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There's a strong homemaker in me: Deepika Padukone
Shikha Shah, TNN | Jul 7, 2013, 12.00 AM ISTThe peppy Deepika Padukone in a tete-a-tete about life, love and success
No one has played the New Age urban Indian woman as many times as Deepika Padukone, in the recent past. But it's not a role she easily tires of, she tells us. After the stupendous success of her last release Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, the actress is on top of her game. The Bangalore girlgets chatty about her journey so far in Mumbai. Excerpts...
What does success mean to you?
It boils down to the amount of love and appreciation I get from my audiences. I wish to be appreciated not only as a film star but also for the person I am. If I manage to bring a smile on people's faces, then I think I'll be successful.
Women want to be like you and men want to be with you. How does it feel to receive so much love and attention?
It feels great to know that women want to be like me but in my opinion, it's more important to be yourself. I am often asked, 'Whose career would you like to follow?' There are a lot of actors whose work I have admired. I have liked the way some have carried themselves, but I do not follow anyone.
As far as the men are concerned, it's pleasing to know that they want to be with me. There is a strong side to me, that is of a homemaker. I look forward to spending time at home in the evenings, cooking a meal, chatting with my parents and inviting friends over.
I am enjoying every bit of whatever is happening to me. But I'm not taking it too seriously because I believe these things are temporary and one should enjoy it as long as it lasts.
What is that one quality in you that has helped you reach the top?
Passion for my work. If you're really driven, dedicated, committed, focussed and diligent, everything follows.
In what ways has your life changed after you became a star?
I still live as normal a life as anybody else. I have two homes to run. I have my staff to take care of. I work, pay bills and attend society meetings like everybody else. If anything has changed, it is the love and appreciation I'm getting and this is obviously something I will never complain about.
What is the kind of bond you share with your sister Anisha?
I have always had a very motherly approach towards her. I have started telling myself that she is 22, but she's still my baby sister. I called up home the other day and asked my mom whereAnisha was. She said Anisha has taken the car out for lunch with friends. It was 7 in the evening and she hadn't returned. I got a little paranoid. I guess I'll take time to getting used to her growing up. I have missed her growing up years.
People say stardom can be dangerous if not handled with care...
This industry isn't as glamorous as it looks. Being a movie star isn't easy. It requires a lot of commitment and sacrifice. Your career goes through extreme ups and downs. You are judged all the time. Great things are written about you, but at the same time, not-so-good things are also said. At times, things are said about you that are completely untrue and people mostly try to pull you down. You have to be emotionally very strong to deal with it. You can't allow these things to affect you.
Your BFF in Bollywood...
Dinesh Vijan (film producer). I am very close to him. I am also close to Shahana (Goswami) and Ranbir (Kapoor). Karan (Johar) is also a great friend. I can talk to him about everything — professional and personal.
Do you believe in the institution of marriage?
Absolutely. I have seen my parents and my other family members sharing this beautiful relationship and they have been successful in keeping the bond intact. Today, people are less tolerant and impatient. Also, women are more independent, not just financially, emotionally and otherwise. Maybe that's the reason things fail to work out between a couple.
When are you planning to settle down?
Some day. I don't see it happening too soon. I am not emotionally ready to invest in a relationship.
What would you expect out of a relationship?
I think my biggest learning has been to expect nothing from any relationship. Expectations lead to disappointments. You should choose the person for who he or she is.
Rumours about you and Ranveer (Singh) refuse to die...
(Laughs) We are very compatible. He's got the gift of spreading happiness. He walks into the room and makes you smile. Very few people possess that gift. He is very talented too.
Where do you see yourself five years down the line?
Frankly, I don't know. Currently, I am enjoying my work and doing films I am excited about. Everything is so unpredictable. You cannot plan in advance.
What Deepika Says about love, Relationships
Expect nothing from any relationship. It leads to disappointments Don't try to change the person you are in love with. It never works It's good to be friendly. But best friends don't make good couples
Holding on to the past for too long will keep you from evolving as a person
No one has played the New Age urban Indian woman as many times as Deepika Padukone, in the recent past. But it's not a role she easily tires of, she tells us. After the stupendous success of her last release Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, the actress is on top of her game. The Bangalore girlgets chatty about her journey so far in Mumbai. Excerpts...
What does success mean to you?
It boils down to the amount of love and appreciation I get from my audiences. I wish to be appreciated not only as a film star but also for the person I am. If I manage to bring a smile on people's faces, then I think I'll be successful.
Women want to be like you and men want to be with you. How does it feel to receive so much love and attention?
It feels great to know that women want to be like me but in my opinion, it's more important to be yourself. I am often asked, 'Whose career would you like to follow?' There are a lot of actors whose work I have admired. I have liked the way some have carried themselves, but I do not follow anyone.
As far as the men are concerned, it's pleasing to know that they want to be with me. There is a strong side to me, that is of a homemaker. I look forward to spending time at home in the evenings, cooking a meal, chatting with my parents and inviting friends over.
I am enjoying every bit of whatever is happening to me. But I'm not taking it too seriously because I believe these things are temporary and one should enjoy it as long as it lasts.
What is that one quality in you that has helped you reach the top?
Passion for my work. If you're really driven, dedicated, committed, focussed and diligent, everything follows.
In what ways has your life changed after you became a star?
I still live as normal a life as anybody else. I have two homes to run. I have my staff to take care of. I work, pay bills and attend society meetings like everybody else. If anything has changed, it is the love and appreciation I'm getting and this is obviously something I will never complain about.
What is the kind of bond you share with your sister Anisha?
I have always had a very motherly approach towards her. I have started telling myself that she is 22, but she's still my baby sister. I called up home the other day and asked my mom whereAnisha was. She said Anisha has taken the car out for lunch with friends. It was 7 in the evening and she hadn't returned. I got a little paranoid. I guess I'll take time to getting used to her growing up. I have missed her growing up years.
People say stardom can be dangerous if not handled with care...
This industry isn't as glamorous as it looks. Being a movie star isn't easy. It requires a lot of commitment and sacrifice. Your career goes through extreme ups and downs. You are judged all the time. Great things are written about you, but at the same time, not-so-good things are also said. At times, things are said about you that are completely untrue and people mostly try to pull you down. You have to be emotionally very strong to deal with it. You can't allow these things to affect you.
Your BFF in Bollywood...
Dinesh Vijan (film producer). I am very close to him. I am also close to Shahana (Goswami) and Ranbir (Kapoor). Karan (Johar) is also a great friend. I can talk to him about everything — professional and personal.
Do you believe in the institution of marriage?
Absolutely. I have seen my parents and my other family members sharing this beautiful relationship and they have been successful in keeping the bond intact. Today, people are less tolerant and impatient. Also, women are more independent, not just financially, emotionally and otherwise. Maybe that's the reason things fail to work out between a couple.
When are you planning to settle down?
Some day. I don't see it happening too soon. I am not emotionally ready to invest in a relationship.
What would you expect out of a relationship?
I think my biggest learning has been to expect nothing from any relationship. Expectations lead to disappointments. You should choose the person for who he or she is.
Rumours about you and Ranveer (Singh) refuse to die...
(Laughs) We are very compatible. He's got the gift of spreading happiness. He walks into the room and makes you smile. Very few people possess that gift. He is very talented too.
Where do you see yourself five years down the line?
Frankly, I don't know. Currently, I am enjoying my work and doing films I am excited about. Everything is so unpredictable. You cannot plan in advance.
What Deepika Says about love, Relationships
Expect nothing from any relationship. It leads to disappointments Don't try to change the person you are in love with. It never works It's good to be friendly. But best friends don't make good couples
Holding on to the past for too long will keep you from evolving as a person
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