Success has not fallen in my lap: Deepika

Riding high on the success of the recently released Piku, Bollywood diva Deepika Padukone feels her journey in the industry has not been an easy one.

Deepika told thestatesman.com: "It's definitely not been an easy ride. Someone was saying that since Cocktail you have been giving hit after hit, so are you getting comfortable? And my response to that was, absolutely not' because it is not something I take for granted."

In the last few years, she has not only proved her acting prowess, but also delivered hits such as Cocktail, Ram-Leela and Chennai Express.

The actress emphasises that she had to slog to be at this position.

"This has not come easily to me. It has not fallen in my lap. I think I have worked very hard to get where I am today. In my career, right from the start, right from Om Shanti Om, I have seen the best of both.

"People talk about all my films that have done well today, but I have been through the phase where none of my films worked well and I have experienced that feeling too. So I definitely don't take it for granted," said the actress who was written off after debacles such as "Break Ke Baad" and "Aarakshan".

Her recent role as a selfless daughter, who spends more time listening to her father's constipation woes than focusing on her professional or romantic pursuits in Piku, has garnered an overwhelming response.

When asked if she really anticipated the film to get such a response, Deepika replied, "I don't think any one of us anticipated it to be such a massive success. Yes, at some level the films we signed and we do, we believe in the script and we know that somewhere it will do well. But I don't think anyone would have thought that this would happen to this film."

When asked how she felt when the film's box office collection reached Rs.44.52 crore in the second week, the actress said it was an "overwhelming, almost emotional" experience.

"I don't remember the last time any film had got this kind of response. Critics, the audience, the box office, I seriously can't remember the last time it happened to any film."

Deepika also shared her decision on choosing to be a part of the film.

"It was the opening scene and I decided that I would be a part of the film. People often used to ask me - do you think you have done the right thing? And I used to reply that we will come to know only after the film releases. But now, yes, I did the right thing."

Piku director Shoojit Sircar was so impressed with Deepika, he has tagged her as the leading female actress in Bollywood.

When asked if she agrees with the statement, Deepika laughed and then added on a serious note, "I don't know... I seriously don't know how to comment on it, honestly. I get really awkward when such things are said. It is surely a compliment, but I don't think that I am a very good taker of compliments."

Many starry-eyed youngsters throng the film industry and the actress has a word of advice for them.

"I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that because our job is to entertain so there is no need to put much effort. We don't get to see the actual kind of efforts or hard work that goes into doing what we do.

"It requires a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication, lot of sacrifice and a lot of commitment. People really don't get to see this side of the industry. It's easy to get disheartened, it's easy to give up or to feel like that, but it's really important to stay focused."

The actress who will be next seen with Ranbir Kapoor in Imtiaz Ali'sTamasha describes Piku as one character which will always remain special to her.