The actress already has a superhit in Piku this year and much is expected from her two upcoming films Tamasha and Bajirao Mastani
Joginder Tuteja (DNA; November 18, 2015)

Deepika Padukone has a hattrick with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Chennai Express and Ram-Leela. Three back-to-back films of hers had a successful run at the box-office. And this year, post Piku, she is on a hattrick again. If her upcoming releases Tamasha (November 27) and Bajirao Mastani (December 18) are any indication, she could well be closing the year with a smile, and enjoy an uninterrupted run.

Informs a trade guru, “She enjoyed four back-to-back Rs 100 crore hits, what with Race 2 and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani followed by Chennai Express and Ram-Leela. Then last year, she had a biggie, in the form of Happy New Year, which entered the Rs 200 crore club. This year, she surprised one and all with Piku, which, despite being an offbeat affair, went on to become a surprise super hit at the box-office. Seven successful films in a row is simply tremendous. Other than Katrina Kaif, no other heroine has enjoyed such a wonderful run.”

An industry senior opines, “Tamasha and Bajirao Mastani are huge films for her. If these two films work, resulting in a second hat trick for her.” What makes it all the more interesting is the fact that both productions, be it Sajid Nadiadwala’s Tamasha or Eros-Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani, are lavish big screen affairs. “Moreover, these films also bring her back with two of her favourite directors, Imtiaz Ali and Sanjay Leela Bhansali,” a source adds, “It was Love Aaj Kal, with which Deepika was taken seriously as an actress. Later, with Ram-Leela, she was able to live up to the tall expectations that one has from a Bhansali heroine, as far as delivering a superior performance is concerned.” Add to that, her pairing with Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, with whom she set the screen on fire in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Ram-Leela respectively, and one won’t settle for anything less than exemplary.

Will Deepika deliver in line with such immense expectations? Well, the stage is set and the outcome would be known in a matter of just three weeks when the two films arrive.