Deepika: I love rom-com or pure love stories!

Deepika Padukone is all set for her Hollywood debut with ‘xXx: The Return of Xander cage’ opposite Vin Diesel and is currently shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmavati’. Deepika was last seen on the big screen in ‘Bajirao Mastani’ and hasn’t been in any film this year. The ‘Coctail’ actress opens up to a leading daily, on the choice of roles that come her way and her approach towards them.

It seems you are choosing one tough role after another.

It’s not a conscious decision. Those are the kind of roles that have been coming my way. You can call it my instincts or the timing, but that’s what I’m also attracted to. I think there’s a time and place for everything, so it’s not like I consciously pursue a film like ‘Padmavati’. It landed in my lap, and I think certain films are destined to have you in them. Either ways, destiny plays a major role, as certain films aren’t meant for you.

Do you feel that ‘Padmavati’ is going to be a challenging part to play?

There are so many times when you want to do a particular film and you try everything under the sun to make it work, but it doesn’t. This one just fell in my lap, and it’s so exciting that I have been given an opportunity to play such a powerful role. Padmini is someone who is worshipped by so many people. [The film] is something that I am extremely proud of, and I feel very lucky that something like this came my way. It’s going to be a very tough six months.

Are you aware that audiences would love to see you in films like ‘Tamasha’ or ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’?

I don’t know if this is on the record or off the record, but I would love to [do such films]. Those are the kind of films I grew up watching, and so, every now and then, I love doing romantic movies — the rom-coms or pure love stories. I love that the [audience wants me to do such films].

Hema Malini has called you the new-age ‘dream girl’…

I think that’s an amazing compliment, since it’s coming from her. I feel extremely great. I feel happy when people like Sridevi and Hemaji appreciate my work, because I love the way they have conducted themselves, the way they have carried themselves, and the kind of work they have done, personally and professionally. So, it’s amazing to be complemented by such legends.

‘Padmavati’ also stars Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapur and the film will be releasing on November 17, 2017.