Lead actors playing visually challenged characters is not new, but for Deepika Padukone it was a first. She describes it as her toughest role yet but also says she is exactly like the heroine - a woman who is self-confident, ambitious and never gives up.
Lead actors playing visually challenged characters is not new, but for Deepika Padukone it was a first. She describes it as her toughest role yet but also says she is exactly like the heroine - a woman who is self-confident, ambitious and never gives up.
"The biggest challenge was to pretend that I was not seeing. There were no supporting tools like black goggles or a stick with me to make it obvious that I am blind.
"For example, we friends are sitting together and discussing something and one of them says, 'arre dekh na' and then realises I can't see. Or he removes a glass a bit aside spontaneously not realising I couldn't see that...So everyone had to focus and give a lot of attention all the time while shooting the film," said Deepika.
The actress along with other cast and crew spent time with visually challenged people to understand their behavioural nuances and figure out counter actions.
"It took around six months of reading and interacting. Lots of physical movements I had to get use to. It's like feeling things around you without actually being able to see them.
"We didn't visit any blind school, but all of us met a lot of blind people... it was not just for me but also very important for Neil and the group of friends I am interacting with in the film, even for 'dada' (Sarkar) to see how it is to interact with the blind. So I think it was a group process for all of us," she said.
Deepika says she didn't find it nerve-wracking to do the implausible stunts.
"As I have been an athlete and a sportsperson before, I think it just makes it much easier and interesting for me. I think to be able to do stunts, you need to be physically fit. It needs a lot of dedication, it needs a lot of control on the kind of food you are eating. So it was a lot of discipline," said Deepika.
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"The skating is something I had to learn for the film, but the scuba diving and this sky diving is something I have done for myself. It's always nice to challenge your limits. I always thought that I was scared of heights until I jumped off a plane. Today when I fly in a plane and look outside, it doesn't feel like anything," said Deepika.
After Lafangey Parindey, Deepika has two films - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey and Break Ke Baad - in queue for release this year.
The actress doesn't get bogged down by work pressure; neither does she get jittery by audience expectation.
"I don't consider it as work pressure, as I enjoy doing it. But I feel very relaxed when I spend my time alone at home after I pack up every day or I speak to my parents and spend time with them.
"I don't expect people to expect anything. I know I have given it my best.
I obviously hope the best for every film," said Deepika.
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