Deepika steals Diesel’s thunder
Bollywood Star Deepika Padukone enters Hollywood with writes
Sons, was a huge hit last year. Radio jockey Malishka, a big name in India, hosted the proceedings.
As Padukone introduced Diesel to the thronging fans, he greeted them in traditional Hindi, which she had obviously taught him. It endeared him to the fans. Padukone went on to perform a dance from her hit film, Chennai Express. The popular Lungi Dance gave Diesel an insight into the popularity of Bollywood music. Afterwards, she gave Diesel a Lungi, a traditional pair of pants, to wear.
Among the stars who supported Padukone were Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, her co-stars in director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next production. Singh has starred opposite her in Ram Leela and Bajirao Mastani, both major hits directed by Bhansali. There were other co-stars such as Irrfan Khan who was seen with her in Piku.
Khan is no stranger to the international film scene with hits such as Slumdog Millionaire, The Life of Pi, Jurassic World, Inferno and The Amazing Spiderman. Film-makers Karan Johar and Madhu Bhandarker and veteran actress Shabana Azmi also attended.
Padukone, now 31, made a stunning Bollywood debut in the hit film, Om Shanti Om, starring opposite heart-throb Shah Rukh Khan in 2007. Her performance won her the Filmfare award for Best Newcomer. Since then she has been nominated for numerous films and won the Filmfare Best Actress award twice for Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram Leela and Piku.
She filmed on location in Cape Town for Cocktail in 2012. Many fans and critics believe her role essaying a modern young Indian woman living abroad facing her demons and challenges was her breakout performance.
Diesel is quoted in The Times of India as saying Padukone is just incredible.