Deepika Padukone is not just celebrating the much-welcome success of Padmaavat, she is also prepping for her next movie with director Vishal Bhardwaj. And like Queen Padmavati in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali spectacle, this too will be a woman-oriented role for DP. 

“It’s the role of a gangster known as Sapna Didi, based on Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai. It’s a true story and her transition is amazing and a terrific journey. I am doing a lot of workshops and there is a lot of physical work involved,” said Deepika. 

The actress, who is humbled by the success of Padmaavat, says the best compliment came from Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi. “Javed Saab and Shabana Azmi say that this is my Mother India. What more could I ask for? The amount of love, support and blessings I have received from my fans and the people from the industry is unprecedented,” said the actress. “This love is so overwhelming. I think I am competing with myself now. I am not trying to prove anything but I have set a benchmark for myself.” 

She added that playing the character of the 12th century queen had not been easy. “I didn’t have any crutches, no sword or anything. Just the sheer inner strength, the resilience, and I had to show it with my eyes. The grace that she has I had to carry that. When the Maharaja (Maharawal Ratan Singh played by Shahid Kapoor) is kidnapped she controls everything. She is like the strength and courage for her people and she does everything with intelligence and strength. Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has blessed me with three incredible strong characters and I don’t know how to thank him enough.”

Deepika has been Bhansali’s Leela, Mastani and now Padmavati. 

Her parents — badminton legend Prakash Padukone and Ujjala Padukone — have still not gotten over her success. 
“There is a sense of disbelief on their faces. They don’t know what I do on shoots and I never discuss my films with them. I want them to enjoy the film with the audience. The last three minutes of the film, my parents were totally in awe.”

On the jauhar scene that has received a lot of attention, she said: “We shot it over a period of six days and in the hot sunny afternoons in the peak of summer. I would go take a bath after every shot and get ready to shoot again. That speech was one take and I rehearsed it. It was a two-page scene. Everyone was so quiet. I didn’t interact with anyone. I went and the cameras rolled, and after that everyone clapped and I looked at Sir (Bhansali) and he said pack up. He finished in half a day,” Deepika trailed off.