After a sports drama slated for Christmas, the actress will get busy with a modern romance, a comedy drama, a mythological, and a futuristic sci-fi film
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 24, 2020)

Earlier this March, Deepika Padukone was all geared up to start filming for director Shakun Batra’s next in Sri Lanka. Then, the Coronavirus pandemic hit all plans for a six and like everyone, she has been confined to home since. After playing house and experimenting with different recipes in the initial stages of the lockdown, the actress returned to work and has had several virtual script-reading sessions with different writers.

Now, she has her slate in place with diverse subjects; from a contemporary romance to a comedy drama, from a mythological to a futuristic sci-fi. There is also Kabir Khan’s sport-drama, ’83, with husband Ranveer Singh as India’s winning captain Kapil Dev, and her as his better half, Romi Dev. Initially scheduled to open on April 10, the film, which documents India’s historic 1983 World Cup win, has now been announced as a Christmas 2020 release. “Deepika wants to explore all kinds of films and pick roles that will resonate with the audience and leave an impact. The first film she will kick off after this forced break is Shakun’s untitled film, followed by the official adaptation of Hollywood hit, The Intern. Then, she will move on to a film with Prabhas,” informs a source.

While Shakun’s film is an urban relationship drama, also featuring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ananya Panday, The Intern remake is a comedy drama. the Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway and Rene Russo-starrer revolves around a 70-year-old widower who, bored of a retired life, becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site.

The recently announced untitled, pan-India multilingual film with the Bahubali actor Prabhas and directed by Nag Ashwin is expected to roll in April 2021. “It’s a futuristic sci-fi film with plenty of VFX and scaled-up action. The concept is novel and budget-wise, it will be one of the biggest Indian films till date. Being prep-heavy, the director and his team have already begun work on visualisation and logistics,” the source reveals, adding that this space is a first for the actress and she is looking forward to the start the shoot.

From the future she will move to the past with Draupadi. Based on The Mahabharat, the mythological drama, that is produced by the actress and Madhu Mantena, is currently being scripted. Speaking to Mirror (October 25, 2019), Deepika had described Draupadi as “role of a lifetime”. The epic extravaganza unfolds through the eyes of its female protagonist and could be made in two or more parts. It was earlier announced as a Diwali 2021 release.

As told to Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 1, 2020)

Rishi Kapoor's professionalism was inspiring. I remember he was as charged up as a debutant before the shoot of our film, Sharmaji Namkeen. The Delhi schedule was to start on January 15, 2020. Ritesh (Sidhwani, Producer) and I requested him to come two days early so we could take him through the set-up and character graph. He landed and the following day, his sister (Ritu Nanda) passed away. We were looking to reschedule but in answer to my condolence message he asked, “What is the call time tomorrow?” I told him to take it easy for a few days to which he retorted, “Bakwas maat karo, what happened is personal, but work is my profession. I am equally responsible for both. The show must go on.” On January 15, he was on the set at 8.45 am.

Our film is a light-hearted coming-of-age story of a lovable 60-year-old man and he was Sharmaji personified. Unbelievable, but that’s why these people are so special.

He was looking forward to doing a film with Deepika Padukone (The official adaptation of the Hollywood film, The Intern) and a comedy with Sanjay Dutt (Pandit Galli Ka Ali). In the latter, he was to play a pandit and excited about going completely bald.

Before the lockdown, I called to check on his health and asked if I could meet him in the morning. He insisted I come after 8 pm so we could have a drink together. Mornings were for serious conversations while evenings were for spending time together. He was very particular about time, so if you were delayed even by five minutes, it was imperative you inform him.

It’s sad that ours will be his last film. I would definitely have wanted to see a lot more of him.

For Deepika Padukone, what’s great about a festival like Holi, is that it brings together people, families and communities; says the main idea of festivals for her is to ‘spend quality time’ with her loved ones
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 9, 2020)

She grew up in Bengaluru, Karnataka, where — as she puts it — the Holi fervour isn’t as much as in other parts of the country. But that never stopped Deepika Padukone from adding her share of colours to the festival along with her friends and family. Even now, she seems visibly delighted about “spending quality time” with her near-and-dear ones on such special days. “The mythology part of our festivals is obvious but what’s amazing is that festivals — be it Holi, Diwali or Ganesh Chaturthi — bring together people, families and communities. Also, I really appreciate the fact that these festivals have been going on for generations, and we still continue that tradition,” she says. Excerpts from an exclusive interview:

To start with, would you call yourself a Holi person?
The culture in south India has been slightly different. So, I remember while I was growing up, it wasn’t celebrated as much as it’s celebrated in other parts of India, especially the North. In the South, it [the celebrations] was never that much but I don’t know if things have changed now. In other parts of the country, even walking on the streets can be dangerous on Holi as anyone can randomly throw colours and eggs at you (smiles).

For you, what’s the most fascinating thing about the festival of colours?
It is the festival of colour but for me, in a way, it’s also a festival of light as my memory of it has been that it’s a ‘day time festival’. So, in my mind, the Holi day is always very bright and sunny along with a lot of colour, joy and cheer. That’s what I really appreciate a lot about the Indian culture that every few months, there’s a festival which sort of brings the entire community together, irrespective of what’s going on in the world. In that particular moment, you just forget about everything else and celebrate.

Do you have any special memories of Holi from your childhood?
For starters, it calls for great family time. One of the things we all always got [on Holi] was a public holiday. So, there was no school, and since I grew up in an apartment [in Bengaluru], I had a lot of friends. I remember all of us getting together to play Holi. Since I am someone who has always been particular about being ‘clean’, I had to be prepared much in advance that, ‘Holi aa rahi hai, so I’ve to keep aside an old set of clothes etc’. At that time, there were no organic colours; so it was all about hard colours which didn’t come off for weeks.

So, you would have unstinted fun?
Yes, but since I was in school, I would also be worried as to how much Holi I can play as schools had their strict rules. In that moment though, you don’t think about those things. But I remember my parents telling me to apply a lot of oil on my face, hair and skin so that colours don’t get into the skin a lot, and could come off easily later. And there was no way we could roam around after playing Holi, as we were supposed to head straight into the shower so as to not mess up the house.

Now, that you are married [to actor Ranveer Singh], have things changed vis-à-vis Holi celebrations in particular, or festivals in general?
Not really! We both have always celebrated festivals. So, as much as possible, we try and be in the city, with family. We did the same even before marriage. So, nothing has changed as such, apart from the fact that earlier, the main celebration would take place in my house. Now, we [Ranveer and I] do a small pooja in our house and then we go to our in-laws’ home where everyone is together. So, it’s a bigger celebration. If our respective parents can be together [on that day], then that’s the best thing. Otherwise, my in-laws are here so a part of the family is always around (smiles). We don’t do anything very elaborate. For us, the main idea of festivals or holidays is to spend quality time together.

What’s your idea of Holi? Has it changed over the years?
For me, Holi stands for a celebration of happiness, togetherness, and good food (smiles). And it’s great that such festivals are a really intrinsic as well as rich part of our culture. I feel that’s the beauty of our Indian culture and tradition. When we [actors] are [shooting] outdoors and miss out on celebrating a festival with the family, we, of course, try and celebrate in our own way with the unit but from the inside, you miss being in your city and with your family.

For you, what’s the best thing about the festival of colours?
I think it’s the feeling of sheer abandon. The other Indian festivals are more ritualistic, whereas Holi, according to me, is one festival where there’s a lot of abandon. And that’s what sets it apart from all the other festivals.

Is there anything that you don’t like much about it?
Eggs, I feel, is a bit too much (smiles). And I’ve an interesting story about eggs, my mum and Holi. She will be very upset that I have revealed the story but I have to (laughs). This is from before I had moved to Mumbai, and I was just about starting my modelling career. I had come to the city for a day with mum for an audition for a soap brand. After I finished my audition in the morning, we decided to go to meet my granddad, who lives at Peddar Road. From suburbs, we took a taxi and once we reached, mum said, ‘since it is Holi, let’s not take a chance. Let’s not get down [across the road from the building] and walk on foot to cross the road. Instead, we can take a U-turn’.

Then, what happened?
I was like, ‘mum, it doesn’t make any sense. The roads are empty, and so we can cross it walking’. And while we were crossing the road, a group of boys threw eggs at us, which hit my mum. Later, she said, ‘I think they were trying to aim at you but eggs hit me instead’. Since that day, my favourite Holi memory is that (laughs). We didn’t even have a spare set of clothes as it was just a day trip. The whole day, she smelt of eggs as it went into her hair also. I think she will never forgive me for that. But I guess it’s all in the spirit of Holi. I do not see people letting go of so much during any other festival.

Do you have any special plan for this year’s Holi?
It’s the same; nothing special. Ranveer [Singh; husband] called me up a couple of days back in the evening, and the first thing he asked me was if I am working [on the Holi day]. Sometimes, it’s [working on Holi] really unavoidable. But as much as possible, we try and be with each other on festivals. Since no one else works on that day, it’s a great day to spend time with one another. Also, I’ll leave for my outdoors [for director Shakun Batra’s yet-untitled next] soon, for about a month or month-and-a-half, to Sri Lanka. So, Holi gives me an opportunity to spend quality time with my family before I go.

Work-wise, how are things looking?
I am starting Shakun’s [Batra] film next. In fact, I will leave for its Sri Lanka schedule next week itself. That’s why I am looking forward to Holi a little more because it’s that day when I will get to spend some time with everyone before all the hectic travelling, shooting etc. starts. My other film, The Intern adaptation, in all likelihood, will go into production in the beginning of 2021, around January. However, I am looking at doing something else too, in the second half of this year.
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A colourful, reel stint with Holi!

“It started with Balam Pichkari (from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani; 2013) and, of course, there’s also Lahoo Mooh Lag Gaya (from Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela; 2013). If I may say, Balam Pichkari is like Rang Barse (Silsila; 1981) of our generation. Nowadays, every Holi party starts with Rang Barse, and the second song has to be Balam Pichkari. So, it’s become a new-age Holi anthem. It feels nice to have been part of such an iconic song. On the other hand, Lahoo Mooh Lag Gaya is a very different kind of Holi song — very Sanjay Leela Bhansali-ish and extremely sensual. For me, the fascination was that though we see Holi in it with a full-on celebration, his interpretation and the way he showed Holi was in stark contrast to the way we know the festival, or the way we play it.”

Having wrapped up the shoot of Gal Gadot starrer Death on the Nile, Ali Fazal on how filming the Hollywood project has been a learning experience for him
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 5, 2020)

It couldn't have been a better start to the year for Ali Fazal — he spent the last two months shooting for Death On The Nile that also features Wonder woman (2017) star Gal Gadot. The actor, who recently returned to the bay, admits that facing the camera for the seasoned actor-director, Kenneth Branagh, has been a "learning experience".

"When you shoot with people are who are masters of their craft, you end up learning a great deal. I have come back with a greater understanding of an actor's job. In this day and age, actors need to expand their skill sets. I aspire to work on different platforms and in different countries, regardless of the language. I want to seek parts and not projects; that's my blueprint going forward," says the actor, who is rumoured to have bagged another international project based on the Iraq War.

The latest screen adaptation of the Agatha Christie story boasts a glorious ensemble cast that includes Armie Hammer and Annette Bening, among others. Ask him about holding his own in front of reputed Hollywood stars, and he quips, "We were a diverse group who were making valuable contributions [to the final product]; it almost felt like the Olympics."

On home ground, rumours suggest Fazal will rub shoulders with Deepika Padukone and Rishi Kapoor in The Intern. He remains tight-lipped on the film, only willing to say, "I am taking my time to [find] projects that I truly want to be a part of. Amazon [Prime] has also announced that the second season of Mirzapur will arrive this year."

Deepika Padukone says she’s drawn to the larger narrative of a film rather than her role
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 7, 2020)

Very few actors have managed to carve out a career like Deepika Padukone has. In a span of 13 years, she’s made her way to the top. But what makes her stand out is that she’s a producer, too, who’s backing films that aren’t run-of-the-mill. We caught up with the 34-year-old actor to talk about her upcoming films. Excerpts:

After a few emotionally and physically draining films, you return to the light-hearted zone with Shakun Batra’s next. Was it a much-needed breather?
To be honest, you can’t call Shakun’s film ‘light’ either... Although, the overall tonality of the film is a bit lighter than my last film, in terms of the emotional turmoil my character goes through, it’s still challenging. The genre of the film is something we haven’t seen much in Indian cinema. It’s called domestic noir. I don’t think that’s a genre we’re very familiar with, but at the same time, the audience is ready for it, as we have been exposed to it through Hollywood films or OTT platforms. Shakun has this strong point with people and relationships. As an audience/ actor I have enjoyed watching and performing these sort of films, whether it’s Piku (2015) or Tamasha (2015) or Love Aaj Kal (2009) — films that deal with intricate human relationships.

A common thing in many of your films is you always play the titular role, right from Ram Leela (2013), to your upcoming film Draupadi. Has it been a conscious choice?
No! These films find me, I don’t go looking for them. Neither is it a criteria when I choose films. I look at it as a story. I don’t actively seek these parts. I need to be drawn to the larger narrative first, before I even think what my contribution to a film can be. I guess it’s just organic that they are happening.

You’ve announced your next production, a Hindi remake of The Intern (2015). What made you go for this official adaptation?
When I saw the original, it came across as something that’ll be endearing, light-hearted and relatable. The theme of the film is universal. India is one of the youngest countries in the world. With the youth, the way people work today, our ideologies… we are very different from the older generation. This movie threw light on how this slightly older person comes into our life. In our culture, we have it in a different way. We have had uncles, aunties, grandparents who give you that old-world grounding and rooting we all need as we progress in this new age world. And we have this elderly person who has this knowledge and experience, but he is not being able to keep up with the digital age. It’s a beautiful, relevant story between two generations.

You recently featured in the global campaign of an international luxury brand. Was there pressure since you represented India?
I didn’t think of it like that. The brand would be better equipped to answer why they thought of me. It’s not only exciting, but an absolute privilege as these opportunities don’t present themselves very often. I appreciate the fact that somewhere in my journey of authenticity and honesty, I am being able to collaborate with iconic brands.