Last year ended on a high for Deepika Padukone as her film Happy New Year did well in the box office. The actress, who will be seen next in Shoojit Sirkar’s Piku, hopes to win the hearts of her fans again with her performance. Deepika spoke to Gaurav Sharma
You are having a great time at the box office.
Yes, it is a good thing. Every actor wishes this. (Laughs). On a serious note, I think it is a very good time for cinema in general. I am really enjoying doing films. My films are working and I am being offered good roles. What else could I have asked for! I am really grateful to the filmmakers who are offering me good roles and also the audience who have been really very kind and supportive to me.
Piku is your first big release this year. The last year ended on a high with Happy New Year setting new records at the box office.
It definitely gives me a high because, when a film works it motivates an actor to do better. The last few years have been really good for me…my films are doing well and I am surely feeling motivated. However, I still think I have a lot more to do…I mean a lot more good work, as I am still learning. Piku is definitely a big film and I am really looking forward to the reaction of the audience.
This is your second film with Amitabh Bachchan after Aarakshan.
(Laughs and cuts in) And I don’t mind doing more work with him. He is an institution. There is always so much to learn from him. Shooting with him is always a learning experience. He can work tirelessly even at this age. He would get ready for his shots even at 4 am. He sets a standard for everyone. There are very few people who are so disciplined like him. I did Aarakshan with him but I was quite young at that time. This time it was different. He is humble and always ready to help you. In fact he is very childish.
How did the offer come your way?
Shoojit (Sircar) came with the script and the moment he finished reading, I agreed to do the film. There are films, which you always want to do because you can relate to the story and connect with the characters. Piku is a very sweet film, which deals with very simple human emotions. It’s not a complicated story but a very simple take on a father-daughter relationship.
Yes that is what we can gather from the trailer. It talks about food, irregular bowels and so many other things.
Yes, of course. That’s what makes it such a different yet a lovely story. We all talk about food on which so many films have been made. But we also talk about indigestion and bowels. These things are part of our everyday life and are discussed in every household but have never been mentioned in films. That is where Shoojit scores as a director. He tried to think out of the box and came up with a lovely film in the form of Vicky Donor and this time he has tried to explore simple human emotions and sentiments with Piku. There are so many moments in the film that will bring a smile on your face. Comedy is an integral part of this film.
Is the comedy present throughout the film or does the story take a serious turn at some point?
The best thing about the story is that these moments of comedy are there right throughout the film but neither is it slapstick nor can the film be called an out-and-out comedy. It’s about a quirky relationship between a father and daughter and how they both love each other and are incomplete without each other.
You played a south Indian in Happy New Year and now a Bengali in Piku?
I am happy that I am getting a chance to try out different roles. I play a Bengali girl but the story could have been set in any household. Shoojit being a Bengali understands the Bengali sensibilities well and has focused on some very fine sentiments of Bengali. The film has really shaped up well.
How was it working with Irrfan?
He is one of the best actors in the industry today and I think Shoojit has given a treat to the audience by bringing together two of the best actors, Mr Bachchan and Irrfan. I am happy that people have liked my pairing with Irrfan. He is so effortless and I think he just needs to be given a role and then he need not be guided anymore. He will give you more than what you expect from him.
You will also be seen alongside Ranveer Singh in Bajirao Mastani.
That’s another big film and we have started shooting for the film. I am really excited about that film because working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali is again something that every actor dreams of. I am lucky to have been working with him again after Raamleela. I hope this film too is liked by everyone. (TWF)
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