‘There’s nothing that you can’t like about Ranveer’

...says Deepika Padukone, who’s sitting pretty after all the rave reviews her latest film, Bajirao Mastani, has received. In a chat with us, Deepika talks about working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, missing Shah Rukh Khan — and of course, Ranveer Singh.

Deepika Padukone has had three massive releases this year — Piku, Tamasha and Bajirao Mastani. By now, one would expect her to appear a little tired. But even if she is, she knows how to hide it well. With every bit of praise that has been consistently coming her way for all these films, Bajirao being the latest, the glow on her face is unmistakable. She’s happy that the feverish rounds of promotions are finally over which means she can finally let her hair down now. She’s still not completely free from her professional commitments. Her film has just released and she’s now in the middle of what’s probably the last round of interviews this year. We settle down for a chat in her vanity van parked at the Mehboob Studios where she goes on to talk about her films, the directors she has worked with this year, what irritates her about rumoured boyfriend Ranveer Singh and how she missed Shah Rukh Khan while promoting Bajirao Mastani. Excerpts:

Congratulations Mastani, you were outstanding in the film. What has been your takeaway from the film First of all, that would be the chance to work with Sanjay (Leela Bhansali) sir for the second time. Every time you work with him, you discover new things about yourself, as a person and as an artist. You face challenges that drain you both physically and mentally. And then you come out rejuvenated and refreshed because creatively it is such a satisfying experience. I think that has been my biggest takeaway from this film.

How did you go about transforming yourself from the goofy Meenamma to a complex lover in Tamasha and now this intense historical character, Mastani It’s tough on a physical and an emotional level, because you are juggling three completely different films with completely differently characters. The interpretation of each character is different and so are the directors and their temperaments. So yes, in some ways it’s not the most ideal work scenario for me. If I had my way, I would have liked to do one film at a time. But having said that, I was not going to give up on any of the film experiences. I was not going to give up on a Bajirao to do Tamasha and Piku and nor give up Piku to do Tamasha and Bajirao. I am greedy like that and I wanted to be a part of all of them. Those are times you realise that physically you will be going though a lot, simply by moving from one set to the other.

Emotionally too, you are switching moods. As it is, as an actor you are required to manipulate your moods and feelings every day, in keeping with the character you play. It’s not easy at all. And then, the promotions suck the life out of you — that’s in fact more difficult than the film itself. Films are still fun and we are creative people; we enjoy being on a film set. What is actually more exhausting are the promotions.

If you had the chance, how would you want to change the way the leading lady is portrayed in mainstream Bollywood I don’t think we need to — that process has already happened. In films like Piku, Tamasha, Bajirao — sorry, I am drawing instances of my own films, because I prefer talking for the work that I have done — I can see it happening. As a creative person and as an actor, this is the most exciting time to be in the film industry simply because of the kind of films that are being written for women. You have worked with the cream of the crop. Who else features on your wish list A lot of people actually. I have loved Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Kashyap’s work. I want to work with my own directors again Ayan (Mukherjee), Homi (Adjania), Imtiaz (Ali), Sanjay sir and Shoojit (Sircar). There are so many fine directors today — Raju Hirani, R. Balki, Sujoy Ghosh, Gauri Shinde — it’s a long list.

Speaking of the directors you’ve worked with this year, tell us a little about what have you learnt from each of them Shoojit (Sircar) is a very spiritual person and a lot of that you seen in the character Piku. He has a different take on life, on people and on the universe in general. I don’t know if ‘spiritual’ is the right word maybe it is, yes. As for Imtiaz, he’s my jaan — he knows me better than I know myself, and he’s first my friend and then my director. When he tells me something or gives me some advice about my work, it means a lot to me.

Working with Sanjay sir has been creatively my most satisfying experience. He’s someone, like Ranveer said recently, who gives you wings to fly — he’s so creatively collaborative. He makes you feel like you are greatest actor in the world and then gives you a really difficult challenge to overcome. He’s very hard to please and you might even break down one day but at the end of it, you feel like you’ve learnt so much. A lot of biopics are being made. There were talks that you might play Saina Nehwal but you said you weren’t offered the film. Whose biopic would you like to be a part of I would like to play a sportsperson for a simple reason that they are just made differently. I have a living example at home and I get to meet some of the most iconic sportspersons. You can just tell from the way they walk to the way they talk, the way they are on and off the field, on court, off court, they are just born different. To answer your question, I can’t think of anyone in particular right now. But someone I am hugely inspired by from current times would be Roger Federer and Rahul Dravid. Being a woman, obviously I cannot essay their characters. But they are people I am hugely inspired by. Being an outsider, what’s the one thing you attribute your success to Two things actually. The confidence and strength that my family has given me. I have always had that peace of mind that professionally, no matter what I go through, my family is 100 per cent with me and they are okay with what I am doing. For me, it’s very important to have their support. On a personal level, I attribute my success to my determination. If I decide on getting something, I go for it.

You made your debut with Shah Rukh Khan and after eight years now, your film is clashing with his at the box office. Your thoughts Nothing really, but yes, I found myself missing him suddenly. I started off my career with him and we’ve done some beautiful and special films together. Most importantly, when we are promoting, we get to spend a lot of time with each other. He’s a very special person in my life. But yesterday, all of a sudden, the realisation hit me that he has been promoting a film without me. On a personal level, I missed him this time round. Professionally, I wish them as much luck as I wish for my own film and I am really looking forward to watching their movie. I have grown up watching Shah Rukh and Kajol. There is a reason why we believe in love of a certain kind, and I think they have hugely influenced that idea.

Your pictures with Vin Diesel created a rage everywhere, leading to much speculation. Would you like to say anything about that Not at the moment, there is nothing to say really right now. Like I keep saying, everyone will know soon. [Smiles] One thing you like about Ranveer and one thing that irritates you about him One think I really like about him is how simple and grounded he is. What do I not like about him there’s nothing that you cannot like about him. Anything you’d like to change in him He eats too much junk food!