Actress Deepika Padukone, who faced threats over Padmaavat, says she remained confident throughout the row due to the upbringing she got from her parents, who were full of pride after watching the movie.
At Rajasthani restaurant on Saturday, Deepika looked gorgeous in green, content and relaxed after the release of Padmaavat. She is counting her blessings as her film is doing well at the box office.
“My parents are immensely proud. I saw that pride on their face. Mom and dad made a video call after their screening finished late at night and I was in my pyjama and going to bed. So for them, they just saw the film and then me… So, their expression was like, ‘Is she our daughter?’ I saw their expression and they were both brimming and glowing with pride,” Deepika said.
Padmaavat through a lot of controversies and turmoil as Shri Rajput Karni Sena objected to its making and release over the alleged misinterpretation of the Rajput community’s history. She gracefully dealed with the press conference on the controversies that were happening.
She was even asked, “Where does she gather the confidence from?” To this, she said, “You know, my parents never once had asked me if they should come and live with me during that whole phase because they were confident about the fact that I can handle this. That is my spirit, that is how we (my sister and I) have been brought up. We have learned that what is right is right, what is wrong is wrong.”
She plays the role of Rani Padmavati, which is based on 16th-century poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi.
She also added, “Playing the character fascinated me about how her personality is very relevant at the present time. She is like me — a strong, intelligent and elegant woman… And when I played her on-screen, I saw a little bit of myself there. But her character was so deep, she is a queen who doesn’t speak very much but conveys everything in her way. That was a challenge to play.”
She even talked about her roles from past movies, she draws out the difference between Rani Padmavati and Mastani of Bajirao Mastani. On Mastani’s role, she said,“She is not a warrior like Mastani, so she is not picking up the sword and fighting, but her silent strength leads her to the right direction to deal with the toughest situation”.
And on the role of Rani Padmaavati,”She is a queen, and under any situation, she never lost her poise, her elegant and calm self. But I feel she is a warrior in her way.”
It was her third film with Sanjay Lella Bhansali as her past films with him were Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela and Bajirao Mastani.
Usually, Deepika doesn’t bother on the number game, on this, she said “This time, I am talking about it because I feel a sense of responsibility. The character Padmavati is so strong and inspirational that it touches your heart.”
“When I was working on the film, I did not expect this kind of appreciation. Of course, we knew that it is going to be a very special film as it’s my third film with Sanjay.
“There was an apprehension due to that as well… That how differently he can present me, but now after the release of the film, there is a feeling of sheer blessing. I think I am very fortunate,” said Deepika, who was overwhelmed with joy.
The movie also stars Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor. The film is hitting the box office on its third day.