Deepika Padukone: I enjoyed bullying Shah Rukh Khan

Deepika Padukone's success shows on her face. That's why her face looks radiant even when she walks in at midnight to give an interview about her latest film Chennai Express.

Ask her about the secret behind her glow, and she says, “It's the love from my fans and audiences that keeps me happy and positive.”

Deepika chats about her successful run at the box office, and working again with Shah Rukh Khan. She also gives Katrina Kaif advice about why celebrities should be a careful about their private lives. 

Shah Rukh Khan says he hasn’t slept for nine days. Has the promotions for Chennai Express taken a toll on you too?

Shah Rukh and I have been continuously travelling in India and abroad for the past 15 days to promote Chennai Express.

I guess after a point of time the body gets used to the new routine. I haven’t been able to catch up on sleep so hopefully once Chennai Express releases and becomes successful, we all will take a small break.

As it is for the past one-and-a-half years I have been juggling between the shoots of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Chennai Express and Ram Leela so it has been a little tough for me.

You must be enjoying the hectic schedule, as you have given three back-to-back hits with Cocktail, Race 2 and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.

Yes, it’s been an amazing time but I never planned for it. I have nothing to do with the fact that these films are releasing within three-four months of one another.

The interesting thing is that I got to play different characters in all my films.

With Chennai Express and Ram Leela releasing this year, 2013 is said to be the year of Deepika Padukone…

(Smiles) It feels nice to hear people say these things because I have been working really hard. I am not saying that other people in the industry aren’t but I have really pushed myself.

I have sacrificed a lot of my personal and family time. It feels nice to taste success but I guess success is a relative term. All I can do is focus all my energies towards my work and hope that every film of mine that releases is better than the last one.

It doesn’t get easier as I have to live up to the expectations. 

Do you feel the pressures of stardom or feel insecure about anything?

No, not at all. I am not insecure about anything. 

I never think of what other people are doing. I am confident about my craft and so the pressure of stardom has never got to me.

Shah Rukh and you are pairing up again after Om Shanti Om. How was the experience of working with him this time around?

It’s been a pleasure to work with him again. Shah Rukh is a very charming person. I had a wonderful debut with him in Om Shanti Om.

Before Chennai Express, we would often say that whenever we do a film together, it has to be as special as Om Shanti Om. And Chennai Express has been very special. 

He hasn’t changed at all. The only thing that has changes is that I bully Shah Rukh a lot (laughs). I enjoy bullying him. We were shooting in Wai and in the evenings after pack up, my friends and I would beat him in games like Taboo. 

Rohit Shetty has his own way of making a film which is completely different from what you have done so far. Was it difficult to be on the same page as him?

Rohit has his own style of filmmaking and I must admit it was a completely new and different experience. His way of shot taking and directing his actors is unique.

He has everything planned and knows what he wants from his actors. Also, since it is a comedy film, there wasn’t much space for improvisation for the actors.

Would you say that comedy is the most difficult genre?

Yes, comedy is the most difficult genre because comic timing is something that you either have or don’t have. The actor needs to have a good sense of humour as even a split second in saying the dialogue makes a big difference. 

Your look and styling in all your films have always been a talking point. How much input do you give?

My looks and styling depend on the characters that I play in a film. Within that I have my sessions with the stylist and the director. It’s not a conscious decision to come up with a new style in every film.

I have a stylist, make-up and hair stylist with me all the time and a lot of credit goes to them. People come and compliment me when I look good but it’s because of these guys who make me look good and glamorous. 

You are the daughter of a sportsperson and recently there have been a lot of biopics made on the lives of sportsperson. Do you wish to do a biopic?

I am happy that there are biopics made on the lives of sportsperson. I always wanted people to know about Mary Kom. She was hardly known but thanks to a biopic being made on her life, a lot of people now know who she is.

I would have loved to do a biopic of her but Priyanka Chopra is already doing it. I am sure Priyanka will do a good job.

Recently, when a magazine published photographs of your co-star Ranbir Kapoor and his alleged girlfriend Katrina Kaif on holiday, there was a hue and cry about breaching the privacy of celebrities. What do you have to say about it?

It has never happened with me. I believe if you are a celebrity or a public figure, these things are bound to happen and you have to be careful in public. I don't think you can accuse anybody of anything.

If I am a public figure and if someone has captured me (on camera) then I feel I should have been a little careful.