‘I DON’T SEE MY CAREER AS A STOCK MARKET’

Deepika Padukone measures success with films that leave an impression on the audience

She entered Bollywood with a hit film, Om Shanti Om (2007). Now, Deepika Padukone is awaiting the release of her first Hollywood movie, which also stars Vin Diesel and for which she was away shooting in Canada for four months. Back in India, she talks about how she perceives success.

Did you know that you were being missed back home?

I know (smiles). I got so many messages. Several journalists also messaged me, saying, “We really miss you. Please come back fast.” It was a lovely feeling. It shows that after a point, relationships are not just about work.

When you were away, did you ever feel that someone else might take your position?

I didn’t think of that, and I don’t plan to think of that either. I have followed my heart and my instincts, and I think that’s what has brought me to where I am. I don’t plan to change that. In life, it is important to do things for the right reason. I don’t see this (her career) as a stock market. I think it’s about being able to do meaningful films and entertaining cinema that have some kind of impression on the audience. Through every film of mine, I want to make people smile. As an actor, you want to influence people’s lives in a certain way, and want to take them on that journey that you have taken on as an actor.

What’s next for you as an actor?

We all have our individual targets and goals. You want to keep challenging yourself and keep discovering new things. I think that’s the point I am at. I think 2015 was a year of discovery for me with Piku, Tamasha and Bajirao Mastani. Whatever I do next, has to be equally exciting, if not more. I am close to finding that (smiles).