Beauty with brains- deepika Interview

—straight from the supermodel ramps of Milan into Shah Rukh Khan's 'worked out' arms, falls debutante Deepika Padukone.

Daughter of world badminton champ Prakash Padukone and the star of Om Shanti Om —she's rampwalking the Bollywood dream. And hey, no boring damsel this! Already, she's leaving broken hearts in her wake and raking up 'sensation' wherever she steps.

So Deepika, quite a debut. Biggest of banners, a hot director and SRK. Comment.

Yes. And I'm so grateful for it. Frankly, I couldn't have asked for a bigger break. To launch with Farah Khan, who has so much experience, and has been so successful at everything she's done. Also, her being a lady director, my comfort level as a newcomer was sky-high. Then, of course, there is Shah Rukh. He rules. I've idolised him for over 17 years now —he's the best. I guess I got very lucky.

Honestly, just how many movies did you turn down before OSO?

Frankly, I haven't counted. Two? Maybe more? I did so not because of any reason but the fact that I wasn't prepared. I've modelled for only two years and I was tagged a 'supermodel'. So, for movies, I wanted to be more 'ready.'

Observers say that you combine the sizzle and earthiness of Bipasha and the beauty and poise of Aishwarya. You agree?

Seriously? Wow! I take that as a compliment. Ash and Bipasha are two of the best we have and to be compared to them, I feel my plate just got fuller. Both have achieved so much. I'm happy and flattered that my fans and audience think I have something of them in me.

So much of newsprint is being consumed by your ready-to-boom rivalry with Sonam Kapoor. How do you feel?

There is no rivalry between us. We've probably just met twice and for about a few seconds only. Our rivalry is all created by media. We're working on two different films; it's just that they're releasing on the same day.

As part of the transparent new bunch, you've been pretty honest about your 'friendships'. So where does the 'relationship' with Nihar Pandya stand?

I have no comment to offer on this really. Initially, in the spirit of transparency, I tried being honest with the media and I was surprised at some seriously irregular reporting. I was extremely hurt about the way some things were reported, while here I was trying to be honest; but I guess that'll always be a part of the industry. With all the positives there will always be the negatives.

The fact that Ranbir's film competes on the same day as yours, does it impact your friendship?

This 'rival' talk is only in the media. When I meet my friends, it's never about Ranbir or Sonam or competition. It's all healthy. And there's plenty of place for everyone. The only 'connect' is that the movies release on the same day.

Considering that you're Prakash Padukone's daughter, is there a badminton scene in the film?

Hmm! I'm wondering if I should let the secret out, let me just say that there is a certain Leena Chandavarkar-inspired song in the film just to whet appetites.

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