"The SRK I know at the current moment is at inner peace"

In her first interview since Pathaan became a box-office sensation, Deepika Padukone speaks about her bond with Shah Rukh Khan, the qualities they share and the reason for Pathaan’s success. Excerpts from an exclusive interview

Q. Your cinematic journey started with Om Shanti Om [in 2007], which was produced by Shah Rukh and in which he acted as well. He has been part of your biggest highs—Om Shanti Om, Chennai Express and now Pathaan. What bond do you share with him?

A. It’s hard to articulate what makes it so special. It is built on respect, trust, love, security and vulnerability. The magic that people feel when we are together on screen is obviously the magic he and I feel too. It stems from my gratitude to him. Fifteen years ago, a superstar like him showed immense faith in a rank newcomer, who had no experience or lineage in the film industry, and cast me opposite him without an audition, mind you, that too in a double role. The beautiful part of our relationship is that one handhold or one hug communicates everything that we need to convey to each other.

Q. How much has he evolved in the past 15 years?

A.The SRK I know at the current moment is at inner peace. That is something for the younger generation to learn—patience.

Q. At the only media event for Pathaan, Shah Rukh said how during the film’s making, he could sense how everybody wanted “ki yeh film SRK ke liye achchhi ho [Pathaan does well for Khan]”. Is that something the cast and crew were conscious of?

A. Everyone came from the same place of wanting this man,

who is part of our pop culture, to succeed. But for me, it is also my personal relationship with him that wants the best for him. I wanted the film to do well for him professionally as well as for his family. For a film to succeed, your intention needs to be pure. Deep down, we wished and prayed that it did well. There’s no logic to this. As I was telling Shah Rukh and Gauri [his wife], these are love and blessings that are coming back.

Q. What was the atmosphere on the set like?

A. We were all very present, which is difficult to do in today’s day and age with so many distractions. Yes, we were making a big action movie with an element of patriotism; so there was some amount of seriousness and responsibility, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t have moments of fun. When SRK and I are together, a lot of childlike moments happen. We are able to be very honest and vulnerable with each other.

Q. Apart from vulnerability, another thing you seem to have in common is how you deal with controversy. There’s composure and restraint. Would you agree?

A. I can say this for the both us that we don’t know any other way of being. I think that’s just who we are as people and the way we have been brought up by our respective families. We came here [to Mumbai] alone with just dreams and aspirations. All we know is commitment, hard work and humility, and it has gotten us where we are. Some of it [handling adversity] comes with experience and maturity. We both have been athletes. I do know that he played sport in school and college. Sport teaches you a lot about restraint.

Q. Did it help in dealing with the brouhaha before the film’s release?

A. As I said, I don’t know any other way. It comes across as not reacting. But shutting out the noise comes from knowing your truth and just having patience, resilience and humility.

Q. At 57, Khan has performed stunts, built a body and given the biggest hit of his career. What are some of the lessons actors can learn from his example?

A. Apart from the resilience, patience, humility and restraint, his generosity as a co-star. I have yet to come across an actor as generous as him. He understands what is important for a film, and that for a film to work, everyone needs to succeed. Nobody understands and executes it better than him. ■