Deepika Padukone’s career graph has been reminiscent of another super successful B’town diva’s — Madhuri Dixit. After a slow start, Madhuri did 'Tezaab' and never looked back. Dippy too had a great start with 'Om Shanti Om' and although there have been a few roadblocks since, it has been an enviable path that she has traversed from 'Cocktail' to 'Ram-Leela'.
Your five successes in a row ('Cocktail', 'Race 2', 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani', 'Chennai Express', 'Ram-Leela') has reminded the industry of the turn that Madhuri Dixit’s career took with 'Tezaab', 'Tridev', 'Ram Lakhan', 'Parinda' and 'Dil' — back-to-back successes between 1988-1990. Flattered to be in elite company?
It’s a huge compliment for me. Having said that, I am not in a position to be drawing that comparison myself. If the audience, critics and industry were to say this then I would acknowledge it. Of course, Madhuri has been a great influence during my growing up years. People like her and Sridevi count as the “greats” of Indian cinema, just like Waheeda Rahman and Madhubala do.
No other actor or actress has enjoyed as many four major successes in a single year. That must be unbelievable even for you…
It’s an overwhelming feeling. Still, these are not the things that an actor can control when it comes to which calendar year a film releases in. I am fortunate that these films have come back-to-back for me. However, I can only handle the creative part of film. Once I sign a film, I want to be true to myself in every moment that I spend making it. I enjoy that part the most. Then I move on.
Are you waiting to witness 'Ram-Leela' turn into a 100-crore affair as well?
Well, I won’t mind at all! However, I am still waiting — let that 100-crore thing happen! If it goes beyond that or even earns Rs 200 crore, it would be more than welcome. I respect the 100-crore club, but I do want critical acclaim and compliments from the audience as well. Otherwise, such 100-crore affairs are of no meaning to me.
