Deepika Padukone Interview for Femina September 2014 Issue

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Posted: 11 years ago

Seven Years, 23 films, a Filmfare Best Actor Award and 15 Endorsements later, how do you feel to be perceived as one of the most powerful actors in the country today?

It's nice to be independent, doing the work I enjoy and, most importantly, getting appreciated for it. But frankly, I don't feel any great sense of achievement, I'm lucky to be part of the movie business that has the power to entertain, inspire and influence people. Its not me who is powerful, its the medium that has the power to touch lives.

Did your father inspire confidence in you to excel in sports, and later in modeling?

I remember wondering as a kid, why my father gave so many signatures to people! It was in secondary school that I first experienced the effect my father had over my teachers (laughs). Slowly I understood his stature as a badminton champion. He taught me to be ambitious, to dream, to learn and stay committed to my goals.

Were you extremely focused as a child?

I was always interested in the visual medium, having done my first TV commercial when I was seven or eight years old. In school, I was very active in competitive sports, But after my board exams, I realized my heart was in modeling. So I started focusing on that, everything else was no longer important.

Your mum played an important role in your early life.

My mum instilled discipline in me-going early to bed, eating well and being punctual. My parents have always been supportive of my decisions. Also, I didn't grow up watching many movies, so I didn't idolize anyone. The two people I looked up to were my parents.

Did you relish being independent earlier than most of your school mates?

Far from it. Those days there was nothing more important than scoring 90 percent in board exams. More than the pay cheque, I was excited about the work opportunities I was getting in Bangalore. I still remember the call I got from choreographer for a fashion show, which eventually led to bigger things like TV commercials. But all of that paled in comparison because I was not so good at studies.

What was the best and worst feedback you got for your first film Om Shanti Om?

I had, possibly, the best launch one could imagine. I received a positive response from most critics. Some of them wrote me off as just a pretty face. But I didn't doubt myself even once. In fact, it helped me charge up. I knew it would take time as I had no knowledge of cinema.

You are at the top of your game today. What are the secrets to your success?

I thoroughly enjoy my work. It doesn't mean that I don't have a bad day. there could have been times when I might not have lived up to the expectations of the filmmaker. But I'm fearless and I understand that there is no better learning than on the job. Life's expectations and the people you meet make you who you are.

Would you call yourself a method actor or a spontaneous one?

I prepare a bit and then leave the rest to what comes out organically in front of the camera. The good thing is there is no right or wrong way of doing a scene. I'm currently filming Imtiaz Ali's Tamasha, and I feel as nervous as I did on the sets of Love Aaj Kal.

Today many of the megastars and noted filmmakers want to work with you. That must feel like a huge achievement.

I'm just happy that they have shown such tremendous faith in me as a performer. With most of them I'm doing more than one film, so that goes to tell you I'm a decent girl to have on their set (chuckles).

You had to opt out of Fast and Furious 7 because of your commitment to RamLeela and Happy New Year. How did that feel?

It wasn't a nice feeling. But the decision came easily because I'm loyal to the industry that I came from.

What do you look for in a script?

It could be written in any part of the world, but if I connect with the film, I say yes immediately. I'm very quick to identify the film I want to be part of.

You're also in a very happy place in your personal life. Do you feel complete because of the love you share with Ranveer today?

Of course, it feels nice to be unconditionally loved. But you have to accept and love yourself the way you are before you expect someone else to love you.

What has been your biggest professional and personal milestone this year?

Professionally, it would be winning the Filmfare Best Actor Female Award. Personally, I'm glad I could take a month off and say no to work during one of the busiest times of my career. I travelled solo for the first two weeks, and then vacationed with my family. I also discovered that I enjoy reading, and that I deeply value the time I spend with my family today. I've grown closer to my sister Anisha. We can talk about everything under the sun.