Thaindian News

February 26, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): ‘Om Shanti Om’, ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’, ‘Love Aaj Kal’ -Pick up any of the successful films that Deepika Padukone has been a part of and it is quite obvious that she has always had an important role to play in the film’s narrative. In fact even in a box office disappointment like ‘Chandni Chowk To Chowk’, she did have ample screen time with a double role to her credit.

This is why when one sees her in a couple of song sequences and a light hearted scene or two in ‘Karthik Calling Karthik’, one wonders if this is all that she has to offer in the film? One wonders if there is space for any quintessential romance in ‘Karthik Calling Karthik’. Beyond a couple of love songs and a night club number, Deepika and Farhan can’t really be expected to romance around the trees in the film. So how does the entire romantic angle merge with the narrative?

“Well, at the end of the day this film is a thriller”, agrees Deepika who is stepping into this genre for the first time, “Having said that, it was quite a lot of fun and challenge for me to be a part of it. The film is very different from its subject, plot, look and treatment perspective. I am glad to be doing something of this kind since I truly believe in what was explained to me abut ‘Karthik Calling Karthik’ and hence chose it.”

One also tends to believe that working in this film must have been akin to being comfortable in a home ground for Deepika. After all she comes from similar urban sensibilities and by the look of things, ‘Karthik Calling Karthik’ too has its roots in being an urban contemporary tale.

“Well, not really”, Deepika shakes her head in disagreement here, “The minute you become a part of a film, you transform from your real self to being a character. This is where you potential as a performer come in. Shonali is very different person from what I am in real life. Hence, there was a definite effort involved in bringing her alive on screen. It wasn’t like being on a home ground for sure.”

From an actor of her stature who has been gradually rising up the ladder, Deepika can’t be expected to have signed a film for the lure of big banner, big bucks and a rising star. There has to be a lot more than that and perhaps the promos are not showing it all while primarily focusing on Farhan’s character of ‘Karthik’. So is Deepika the ‘band muththi’ a.k.a. a surprise element in this debut directorial venture of Vijay Lalwani?

“Well, keep guessing”, Deepika gives that mischievous smile here, “It is a thriller after all and I can’t be expected to reveal anything beyond a point. Of course you are right in saying that my roles have always boasted of good substance in them and ‘Karthik Calling Karthik’ is going to be no different. Beyond that, I would rather be mum and wait for you to watch the film and then react.”

-Joginder Tuteja / Sampurn Wire