"I call him [Vin Diesel] a teddy bear"
After dominating Bollywood, talented Bollywood actress, Deepika Padukone is set to make her Hollywood.
Deepika Padukone will debut Hollywood in January 2017 with xXx: The Return of Xander Cage.
The Hollywood action film also stars Vin Diesel, Nina Dobrev and Samuel L. Jackson.
The beauty who won the ‘Best Actress’ award for Piku at IIFA 2016 in Madrid, spoke to DESiblitz about her Hollywood experience.
How did going into Hollywood happen?
It fell into place like anything else in my life. Sometimes certain things happen when they are supposed to.
It was not something I chased but happened to me like any other film like I’d do – I was offered the film, I read the script and I loved the film.
Most of all, I thought it’d be a fun experience. I had not done a full fledged action film since Chandni Chowk to China but even that it was one really small sequence.
I treated it like any other opportunity. In the end, as an actor, you want to challenge yourself and do different things.
Do you think it’ll open more opportunities for other Bollywood actors to travel to the west and get prominent roles?
I hope so. There’s no role that’s too small or big – it is what you make of that opportunity. Different things excite different people.
I was offered roles in the past as well but I don’t think I was ready nor was I excited enough. For example, Om Shanti Om wasn’t the first movie I was offered.
How did you feel about not doing a Bollywood film this year? Are there any planned for next year?
For me, xXx is no different from every other film that I’ve done. I’ve always made my choice based on content and instinct, and what I think is right in my career.
I didn’t come across anything that was exciting enough. However, I have signed my next Hindi movie and I start filming in September [2016].
Did you find many differences between Hollywood and Bollywood?
I actually didn’t find anything glaringly different in the west and that says a lot about the Hindi film industry. We have constantly involved in the industry.
Whether it’s the kind of movies we’re making or content or the work ethic, the fact that it all felt the same says a lot about where we are as a nation and the kind of the films we’re making. It’s truly global.
What do you particularly enjoy doing in the West?
“I actually really enjoyed doing my laundry! I would go grocery shopping, cook and do laundry – and I enjoyed doing that!”
In every other way, it was exactly the same, just new people, new studios and a new team.
Could you tell us more about what it was like living in Toronto?
I lived in an apartment which is always nicer if you’re living away for so long. I took my candles, photo frames and my sambhar, rasam powders and masalas.
I cooked all the South Indian food that I could. In Toronto, North Indian food was not a problem but South Indian food I didn’t find very easily so every time someone visited me, I’d ask them to carry packets of food.
How was working with Vin Diesel?
I call him a teddy bear – he is extremely generous and a lovely person!
What characters have you played that represented the true you?
From a journey point of view, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani‘s Naina Talwar. I was a lot like her – very inhibited and to myself.
Certain experiences changed me and I came into my own. In a lot of ways, I identify with Mastani from Bajirao Mastani – she was emotionally very strong, fiercely independent which I relate to.
Deepika Padukone is a talented and beautiful actor.
It’s exciting to see Bollywood’s leading ladies reaching greater heights on a global scale and we wish Deepika Padukone all the best for her successful venture in xXx: The Return of Xander Cage.
After sweeping away all of the Best Actress awards for 2015’s Piku, there are high expectations that Deepika Padukone will not only continue to reign as Bollywood queen in her upcoming release, but create waves in Hollywood.
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