Dear Deepika,
I remember your debut. In fact the whole of India remembers it. It also marked the time when two of your contemporaries also made their foray into the world of Bollywood. (while one is mighty successful the other maybe tasting success in a parallel universe).
Of course the contribution of your director and your costar can't be ignored. But standing upto one of the biggest superstars in India and holding your ground while you were at it was a colossal task. And you managed it pretty well. What am I saying?? You totally rocked at it!! You looked ethereal as the old world Shantipriya and bubbly as the modern fan Sandy. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your dance number 'dhoom taana'. You were reminiscent of the yesteryear's dancing queen Helen. The display of talent was enormous and you were counted as one of the most promising female actors. You lapped up most of the awards that year making us believe that you would continue to do so.
The following year I guess you started your relationship with a man widely acclaimed for his casanova image. Even your second film was released with the two of you in it. You played an independent girl in the movie who was commitment phobic. But you had a difficult time convincing the audience about it. The relationship was taking over your life. You didn't have an independent existence of your own. Most of your friends came with the BOYFRIEND. And they went when the relationship ended. Which definitely took its toll on you.
I just felt like the quality of your work suffered hugely-unknowingly of course. I was never a real fan of your work. But I admired and still greatly admire your father Mr. Prakash Padukone and I still remember you as a kid in your father's lap and in your mother's arms for a spread in the Sportsweek magazine. I really felt that as his kid you were not getting it right or were throwing it away. Some how I felt you looked like a beautiful face but were unable to get beyond that. Either you were satisfied with your career or you were not being true to it. Moreover you were frigid in being yourself rather than letting the character soak you in. You looked innocent and sexy and that was just about it. It didn't translate into your acting. It was not at all just to your fans.
I remember watching 'Love Aaj Kal' and being clearly disappointed. I went to watch the movie as I was pretty impressed by Imtiaz's earlier films. But I greatly missed Kareena Kapoor in this movie. I thought she would have done a better job. In fact the newcomer without speaking much conveyed a lot of meaning. After that I thought you even destroyed 'Break ke Baad' (the film was badly directed even).You looked gorgeous in the movie though your acting did not touch me at all. After that I really didn't feel like wasting my time watching your movies in the theatres.
I really thought this was the end of you. You would fade off like other stars(models) have done in the past.
Then came a whiff of fresh air by the name of "Cocktail".... I loved the scene where you were introduced.
And a huge thanks goes out to the director for bringing out the best of you. You were outstanding so much so that you outshone all the characters in the film. It was such a great feeling to see you back in the game. I was so impressed by the way you carried the role on your shoulders that when people asked me that how I found the movie I beamingly said " watch the movie only for DEEPIKA".
I readily watched the movies that released after that because I knew for sure now that you have gotten back your spark which was lost for sometime. I watched 'Race' after that. I didn't like the movie much but I could not take my eyes off you. (trust me I have a girlie crush on you).
I am not a very big fan of Rohit Shetty films because I feel that they are OTT and just too unrealistic for me and I really thought that you would play the stereotypical Tamilian with that thick overdone accent. But again you surprised me and you blew the stereotype right out of the roof and had me in splits. It was your second one with SRK but till that second meeting you were a star in your own right. Kudos to that!!
My favourite line from the movie CHENNAI EXPRESS :
Ram Leela as a movie was a huge superhit. I am sure you were great in it. But then I did not get a chance to watch it.
Sometimes I really wish that the relation which really affected you and your career so badly wouldn't have happened. But wait no that needed to have happened. Otherwise we would not have the STRONG, STEEL WILLED, BETTER version of you. And thank God for that.
You have set such a perfect example for young girls who consider you to be a role model :
I remember your debut. In fact the whole of India remembers it. It also marked the time when two of your contemporaries also made their foray into the world of Bollywood. (while one is mighty successful the other maybe tasting success in a parallel universe).
Of course the contribution of your director and your costar can't be ignored. But standing upto one of the biggest superstars in India and holding your ground while you were at it was a colossal task. And you managed it pretty well. What am I saying?? You totally rocked at it!! You looked ethereal as the old world Shantipriya and bubbly as the modern fan Sandy. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your dance number 'dhoom taana'. You were reminiscent of the yesteryear's dancing queen Helen. The display of talent was enormous and you were counted as one of the most promising female actors. You lapped up most of the awards that year making us believe that you would continue to do so.
The following year I guess you started your relationship with a man widely acclaimed for his casanova image. Even your second film was released with the two of you in it. You played an independent girl in the movie who was commitment phobic. But you had a difficult time convincing the audience about it. The relationship was taking over your life. You didn't have an independent existence of your own. Most of your friends came with the BOYFRIEND. And they went when the relationship ended. Which definitely took its toll on you.
I just felt like the quality of your work suffered hugely-unknowingly of course. I was never a real fan of your work. But I admired and still greatly admire your father Mr. Prakash Padukone and I still remember you as a kid in your father's lap and in your mother's arms for a spread in the Sportsweek magazine. I really felt that as his kid you were not getting it right or were throwing it away. Some how I felt you looked like a beautiful face but were unable to get beyond that. Either you were satisfied with your career or you were not being true to it. Moreover you were frigid in being yourself rather than letting the character soak you in. You looked innocent and sexy and that was just about it. It didn't translate into your acting. It was not at all just to your fans.
I remember watching 'Love Aaj Kal' and being clearly disappointed. I went to watch the movie as I was pretty impressed by Imtiaz's earlier films. But I greatly missed Kareena Kapoor in this movie. I thought she would have done a better job. In fact the newcomer without speaking much conveyed a lot of meaning. After that I thought you even destroyed 'Break ke Baad' (the film was badly directed even).You looked gorgeous in the movie though your acting did not touch me at all. After that I really didn't feel like wasting my time watching your movies in the theatres.
I really thought this was the end of you. You would fade off like other stars(models) have done in the past.
Then came a whiff of fresh air by the name of "Cocktail".... I loved the scene where you were introduced.
And a huge thanks goes out to the director for bringing out the best of you. You were outstanding so much so that you outshone all the characters in the film. It was such a great feeling to see you back in the game. I was so impressed by the way you carried the role on your shoulders that when people asked me that how I found the movie I beamingly said " watch the movie only for DEEPIKA".
I am not a very big fan of Rohit Shetty films because I feel that they are OTT and just too unrealistic for me and I really thought that you would play the stereotypical Tamilian with that thick overdone accent. But again you surprised me and you blew the stereotype right out of the roof and had me in splits. It was your second one with SRK but till that second meeting you were a star in your own right. Kudos to that!!
My favourite line from the movie CHENNAI EXPRESS :
Ram Leela as a movie was a huge superhit. I am sure you were great in it. But then I did not get a chance to watch it.
Sometimes I really wish that the relation which really affected you and your career so badly wouldn't have happened. But wait no that needed to have happened. Otherwise we would not have the STRONG, STEEL WILLED, BETTER version of you. And thank God for that.
You have set such a perfect example for young girls who consider you to be a role model :
- Life doesn't end and begin with relationships. You have to be in it as long as you are getting the respect you deserve.
- A break up doesn't mean that the other person is bad. It just means that your relation is not forever. And so it needs to be ended.
- Being professional means to let go of personal differences in order to better yourself. N move on!!
- A bad relationship is not a curse. It is a learning phase. We have to accept that part as a scar and move on with that scar and be proud to flaunt them.
- Lastly be the person you are and don't let go of it for anyone else. If a person loves you he should love you for what you are.
- Your family is your greatest support system. They will always be there for you no matter what. You can trust them blindly.
Hope that you continue to make the family who supported you during thick and thin proud everyday.
And a huge thanks for reviving my trust in your acting abilities.
Hoping to see you in your next outing as the Marathi Mulgi Mohini and hoping that you would surpass even your earlier role as Meenamma.
All the best !!
From,
Someone who has immense respect for the way you turned your life around.
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