“My days in modelling gave me a lot of confidence in front of the camera and acting in films was something I always wanted to do,” she continues. In Bachna Ae Haseeno, Deepika plays the role of Gayatri, an NRI girl from Sydney who comes to India and ends up falling for Ranbir Kapoor.
Cliched idea it might be, but compared to her previous role in Om Shanti Om Deepika feels her character in Bachna is closer to her personality in real life. “I play a girl who understands the importance of building one’s career first and then balancing other interests in life. She is a simple girl who everyone can relate to. Whereas in Om Shanti Om I played a period role and my character was more reserved,” she says.
Of course, sharing the screen with real life boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor does have its perks, but Padukone is quick to explain, “Chemistry on the sets does not matter. We’re both professionals. And please no questions about tattoos on my neck,” she insists.
The movie has been shot at over 15 exotic locations including Venice, Zurich, Puglia, Sydney and Rome and the real life couple also has a song picturised on them called Khuda jaane in the film. “This is my favourite song for obvious reasons. The fact we are in love helps in developing a bond on screen. Also it was the first romantic song we did together. We shot predominantly in Italy and it was fun. In one particular scene, we have to shoot with pigeons. The guys on the set put bird feed all over my hands and before I knew it, 25-30 pigeons were sitting on my head. By the end of the shot I had scratches on me,” she laughs.
In her upcoming project, Chandni Chowk to China, directed by Nikhil Advani, Deepika plays a double role, the second time in her career. “I don’t mind playing a double role. It is an honour to do so. The fact that I am being offered a double role shows that the script writers have the confidence in me to essay such characters,” she explains. Padukone says she is a badminton fanatic. “I’m busy with my career right now but I want to do something for Indian sports, may be through films or by talking about it,” she says. For now, the Friday flutter takes precedence.
