My responsibility is to my characters: Deepika Padukone

How does it feel e slipping from Piku to Tamasha to a historical film like Bajirao Mastani back-to-back?

Stepping into films was a conscious decision with the confidence and belief that I will thoroughly enjoy my work. I consider it my responsibility to take on each character, never mind how different it is from the others, seriously and honestly. I must be able to put across the distinctive characteristics of each character be it the tea garden owner’s daughter in one, or, a historic figure of a courtesan in another. The feeling of achievement and happiness that comes at the end of each performance is beyond comparison and can’ be expressed in words.

In Tamasha, you are cast opposite Ranbir Kapoor you were once in a relationship with. In Bajirao Mastani, you are paired opposite the man you are currently in a relationship . Do you have issues with this?

Not really. All three of us are professional actors. Ranbir (Kapoor) and I had decided right at the beginning that we would not allow our personal emotions to spill over into our professional work , which is acting. He is as professional as I am and we understand each other completely. The audience has accepted us wholeheartedly as a romantic pair in Yeh Jawaani Hai Diwani and our commitment also lies to fulfill the demands of the audience where personal emotions shouldn’t make a difference. Our relationship has helped us understand each other well and this has worked positively in our performance in Tamasha.

What about Bajirao Mastani?

The same logic that was at play for Tamasha worked here as well. The same rule – we will not allow our personal feelings to interfere with our screen roles in any given film. The love angle in the two films is different though the bottom line is love. In Tamasha directed by Imtiaz Ali, we play a youthful couple in love constantly having tiffs with one another much like the mood that sustained in Yeh Jawani. But in Bajirao Mastani, as Mastaani I play the other woman, a courtesan who knows that she can never be united with the man she is in love. I have dance numbers in heavy costumes and jewellery, something I have not really done before. Both films became all the more challenging because of the personal equations I had with my co-actors.

You said somewhere that women are natural multi-taskers. How did this belief come about?

Of course I believe in this, because I have lived through it and am still living through it. Women around me like my mother are constantly multi-tasking. It comes almost naturally to us and we are not even aware that we are multi-taskers. Each one of our social and filial roles – daughter, sister, wife, mother, lover, places different responsibilities on us and we take it on naturally without thinking or being aware of it. This is precisely how I can slip under the skin of a multi-tasking character like Piku who runs her own business, takes care of a chronically grumbling and demanding father and fights with everyone around. Besides playing a multi-tasking character, I am also playing completely different characters in different films under different directors at the same time. What is it if it is not multi-tasking?

How do you look at the constant promos you have to attend during the pre-release promotions across the country?

I must confess that earlier the idea of addressing so many press conferences and trying to counter the questions of the press was a bit intimidating because basically, I am a shy person. But I taught myself that all this is a part of the whole scenario and taking up an assignment includes participating actively in promos and press conferences. Tackling the questions from the press, learning to answer them correctly, not thinking that they are pestering you needlessly,  is a part of our profession and like it or not, we must do it. I have learnt to go around on these promotional tours.

You have been able to sustain the audience’s image and expectations as an actress all these years. How was it made possible?

I am not aware of this idea the audience have of me. If this is true, I am truly flattered. I insist on listening to the entire script. While listening to the script, I concentrate entirely on the function of the character I am going to portray, her positioning within the narrative, and her significance in my own way. I try to look at the cohesiveness of the character to the entire story and its appeal for the audience and also for the film per se. It is totally my personal take. Then, we begin to work and interact with the director much before we begin to shoot a given film.