I know how to be competitive in a healthy way: Deepika Padukone

The actor is excited to be a part of Race 2.

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone, a former badminton player, uses the spirit of sportsmanship while working in the film industry. She feels that she knows how to be competitive in a positive manner.

Being one of the A-list actors, this star has some good projects in hand like Chennai Express with Shahrukh Khan and Rana, with southern superstar, Rajinikanth.

“I think there are two ways to look at it. Everybody doesn’t get to do each and every film. I don’t compete with others, I compete with myself,” Deepika,whose father Prakash Padukone was a national badminton champion and won the coveted All-England badminton crown, told IANS in an exclusive interview. “I have been an athlete and a sportsperson, so I know how to be competitive in a healthy way.”

This year she had only one release — the commercially successful Cocktail. She says it is difficult to predict what will work at the box office.

“Many a time, a most predictable film doesn’t work, while the least expected films click at the box office. So everything is in the hands of the audience,” she said. “I don’t demarcate any film. If a film does well and gets into the INR 1 billion club then well and good. But I want the audience to appreciate my quality of work.”

Her forthcoming film is Race 2, in which she has teamed up with actor Saif Ali Khan yet again. They have worked together in hit films like Love Aaj Kal, Aarakshan and Cocktail.

She hopes movie buffs appreciate their chemistry in the fast-paced thriller.

“Saif is fun to work with. We have worked in four films together and I share a comfort level with him. The most exciting part is that all the four films are completely different from one another.”

“He is a very spontaneous actor. You never know what to expect from him. The audience has liked our chemistry before and, hopefully, they will appreciate it again in Race 2,” she said and clarified that they never planned to work together; “it just happened”.

Race 2 is a multi-starrer with big names like Anil Kapoor and John Abraham vying for their space.

“I really liked Race and that excited me to be a part of this film [Race 2]. The character that I play in the film is also different. I play an aggressive woman, which I have not played before.”

In the film, the 26-year-old has some steamy and bold scenes with Saif. Was she comfortable doing them?

“It’s not about being comfortable or uncomfortable. I consider each and every scene the same way. For me, every scene stands out and I approach them all in the same way.”

Race 2 also features Jacqueline Fernandez and Ameesha Patel and is slated for a January 25 release.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2012.          

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