Deepika Padukone: Hail The Queen

Deepika Padukone’s journey has given her the courage to be honest about her relationships, rivals and work... writes Jitesh Pillaai.

- Jitesh Pillaai.

Her vanity valises packed she’s off for her exotic holiday reportedly with boyfriend Ranveer Singh and her family. She’s on cloud 9 and she’s showing that. With standout performances in Piku, Tamasha and Bajirao Mastani,

Ms Deepika Padukone is the girl of the moment, queen of the marquee! When she sashays into the hotel lobby with her scrupulously scrubbed face she makes heads turn. Several heads bob in several directions. She’s used to creating frissons of excitement on and off field ever since she made her debut in Om Shanti Om seven years ago. There’s talk that she’s been snapped up for the Vin Diesel XXX franchise and that she’ll be off in March to shoot the heavily budgeted action flick. If rumours are to be believed, Aditya Chopra definitely wants her for his Salman Khan starrer Sultan. But he will have to wait until May. Several talks are on but she won’t confirm or deny. She’s learnt to be the mistress of the game and boy! She’s playing it well. But Deepika Padukone also has an easy friendly vibe despite her heavy-duty baggage. And perhaps this is what makes her so endearing. On and off screen. While I admit she makes better copy once the dictaphone is switched off, it’s clear she needs no gentle persuasion to switch on. If she wants to be heard, she will make her point. If she doesn’t a mysterious smile appears on that beautiful visage. Which seems to say no comments. That will be all. In between no comments and yak yak I attempt to throw some posers. Reproduced below is our 19 to the 900 natter:

Piku, Tamasha, Bajirao Mastani… you’ve been on the roll. What is that one moment of epiphany for you as an actor?