Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; July 1, 2018)

Over the last few years, Deepika Padukone has been extremely picky about her movies. Now, after Padmaavat’s success, she is treading with even more caution. After Hrs has learnt that among the several movies that have been offered to her recently, Neeraj Ghaywan’s next has caught her attention. Reveals a source, “Neeraj and Deepika had been in talks for quite some time. The Masaan director was busy finishing the script’s first draft. Once he got it in place, he approached Dippy again, who liked the story.” However, she is yet to sign on the dotted line. Our source adds, “Discussions are still in the initial stage. DP will play the protagonist in the woman-centric drama.” We texted and called Neeraj, but he didn’t respond till the time of going to press.

BALANCING IT OUT
Deepika has struck a balance between her commercial outings and out-of-the-box choices. She did a Happy New Year as well as a Finding Fanny. Piku was followed by a magnum opus like Bajirao Mastani. “Even now after Padmaavat, which broke records earlier this year, she signed Vishal Bhardwaj’s gangster flick. There’s buzz that she will be a part of India’s first mega-budget superheroine flick, too.”

NO ANNOUNCEMENTS YET
Though Deepika has decided on her next string of releases, there has been no announcement. “That move is deliberate. She is gearing up for her wedding. The films she signs now will roll only after her marriage. If Deepika gives her final nod to Neeraj’s movie, it will go on floors mid-next year, after Vishal’s project.”