"Love Aaj Kal doesn't turn jerky at all" - Deepika Padukone

Shahrukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan - Deepika Padukone is pretty much working with the best in the business across diverse age groups. With too much happening in her life in too little time, Deepika is already staring at her fourth release in less than two years since she made her much hyped debut with Om Shanti Om. On the eve of the film's mega release, Deepika talks to us about her years gone by in Bollywood, Imtiaz's narrative approach, her songs, styling and the generation leap that the film takes.

From Om Shanti Om to Bachna Ae Haseeno to Chandni Chowk To China and now Love Aaj Kal - There is a visible transformation in you, right Deepika?

Yes, I have indeed opened up a lot during last two years. Of course experience does set in and you tend to become a lot more confident with every film you do. However, one can't forget that one of the major contributors to the entire transformation process is the script of Love Aaj Kal. The character too plays a major role in the way you come across on screen.

Add to that the 'Imtiaz factor'....?

Yes, I was coming to that. The entire combination as I stated earlier can never be complete until and unless the director at the helm of affairs ensures that all of it comes in just the right proportion. He is one director who really brings out your real potential. Credit it to him that I am so 'khulla' today!

So are we looking at an out and out light hearted entertainer in Love Aaj Kal? Or are there some serious dramatic elements embellished in the narrative as well?

Yes, there are some serious elements as well. They do not become too heavy though. There are pensive moments but not 'bhaari-bharkam' enough to make you feel cheated since everyone is expecting Love Aaj Kal to be a fun outing. At the heart of it, Love Aaj Kal is a complete entertainer that will certainly leave you smiling as you exit the theaters. Love Aaj Kal is a complete entertainer that will certainly leave you smiling.

Well, Pritam, Imtiaz and Saif have promised that with 'Aahun Aahun' which comes in the end credits roll!
'Aahun Aahun' is a riot for sure (laughs). But then you must not forget 'Dooriyan' as well which is the only sad number in the film. It has been amazingly picturised and gives an altogether different dimension to the film as it carries the story forward. My personal favorite though is 'Chor Bazaari'.

Talking about 'Chor Bazaari', you seem to have gone through a complete costume makeover for Love Aaj Kal.

Credit it to Anahita Shroff Adajania, my costume designer, and Imtiaz. They came with an entirely fresh take on costumes and styling. They complimented each other and brought in Indian as well as Western sensibilities. Both were very sure about they wanted from me and the costumes I wear. My character also goes through a gradual transition from the first half into the second half so the overall styling did help to bring out that aspect as well. Anahita and I have been working together since my modeling days and she is very well aware about my body structure and what suits me most. That really helped.

Coming to the film's narrative, since the film moves across two generations, was it a little tedious to shoot for the film?

Of what I know about the narration that Imtiaz has adopted for the film, you will never feel the jerk in it even though the story moves back and forth in time. It is pretty seamless actually and all scenes blend in well with the spirit of the movie. In any case Imtiaz is not someone who believes in bringing in unnecessary technical jargon and he has in fact kept it all quite simple. Once you see the film, you will realize it for yourself!

You will never feel the jerk in the film even though the story moves back and forth in time

Since the film also tells the story of Rishi Kapoor, do you also have any scenes with him?
I have just one scene with him!

So all in the family?
(Giggles away)