Nothing can stop the release of Padmavati: Deepika Padukone

The film has been facing quite a few controversies of late with politicians, organisations and individuals all demanding for the release to be stalled
Nothing can stop the release of Padmavati: Deepika Padukone

As she prepares for the release of the epic drama Padmavati, Deepika Padukone is confident the movie will tide over the controversy, hit the screens and win a 'bigger battle' for the industry.

"As a woman, I feel proud to be a part of this film, and to tell this story, which needs to be told. And it needs to be told now," says Deepika, who plays the title role in Padmavati -- Bhansali's professed tribute to the sacrifice, valour and honour of the Rajput queen.

Doubts on the extent to which the National Award winning filmmaker has fictionalised the story, have led to a spiralling controversy with politicians, organisations and individuals raising a finger at Bhansali for 'distorting history' and demanding that the release of Padmavati be stalled.

Deepika is convinced the movie will release, as scheduled, on December 1. "It's absolutely appalling. Where have we reached as a nation? We have regressed," she says, commenting on the hullabaloo the movie is causing pre-release. "The only people we are answerable to is the censor board, and I believe that nothing can stop the release of this film," she says, adding that the film industry's support symbolises how "this is not about Padmavati. We're fighting a much bigger battle."

Padmavati marks the third film that Deepika has worked in under Bhansali's direction after romantic crime drama Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela and historical drama Bajirao Mastani -- all of which, she says, gave her roles 'so similar, yet so different'.

"They are very independent individuals and very strong characters," says Deepika, proud that despite there being two men -- Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh -- in Padmavati, she essays the title role, which 'does not happen often in a woman's career'.

Interestingly, November marks 10 years since Deepika's entry into the film industry with Om Shanti Om. "When I debuted, Saawariya (directed by Bhansali) and Om Shanti Om came out on the same day. There was this whole thing about the films clashing, this debut versus that debut. And I remember thinking to myself, 'Oh! How come he didn't cast me in his movie?' I didn't ever think that I could be a Bhansali heroine," says the daughter of badminton icon Prakash Padukone.

"From thinking, ten years ago, that I don't fit the mould of a Bhansali heroine, to today working on three films with him back-to-back... It's been a pretty incredible journey," says Deepika, who feels the director has added meaning to her life, not just as an actor and performer, but also as a human being. "We just understand each other by just looking at each other," she adds.

So, can one expect them to collaborate yet again? "As of now, we are all focused on Padmavati. I would love to, but I think both of us need to heal from this experience before we collaborate again."
 

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