Deepika Padukone in Kannada film

Model Deepika Padukone (the Liril and Close-up girl ), who is currently making waves on TV in composer Himesh Reshammiya’s music video, has now finalised for her movie debut.
Even as there were reports that Deepika was being singled out by Farah Khan for her next film, Happy New Year, the svelte daughter of former All-England (World) badminton champion, Prakash Padukone, has gone ahead and signed a Kannada film.

Aishwarya connection

“The film is called Aishwarya,” says Deepika, “and I am cast opposite Kannada superstar Upendra (he played Sanjay Dutt’s character in the Kannada version of Munnabhai, called Uppidada MBBS, expected to release shortly), with Indrajit Lankesh directing. It is a performance-based role, and as I am from Bangalore, I can speak Kannada fluently,” Padukone explains.

Surreal video

Why did she make her showbiz debut with a music video, when she was negotiating with various filmmakers for her Bollywood break?

“Music-video offers kept coming in, but nothing had excited me that much. When Himesh and his sister Roopa Chadha (she is the stylist) and the video director, Prashant Chadha, called me to their office, they made me hear the song — Naam Hai Tera. Somehow, I connected with the music, which has a fusion of western rock and Indian melody.

My gut-feeling gave me the green signal to go ahead. I also liked the surreal concept — where the guy has gone through heartbreak, and now meets my character, symbolising optimism and hope. Besides, it was decent, with no vulgarity.

After this assignment, I don’t think I’ll take up more music videos. My prime focus will now be Hindi movies,” insists the model-actress, who has completed a three-month acting course under the tutelage of Anupam Kher.

Won’t expose

Although she has posed for the Kingfisher calendar — where models dress in dare-bare outfits — Deepika is not game for exposure in Bollywood.

“Given a choice, I would refrain from movies like Murder, and prefer the Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Parineeta and Kal Ho Na Ho genre. I am not in a tearing hurry to strike it big and use shortcuts to success,” she smiles.

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