We’ve heard of actors giving a limb for a role. But an eye? That’s precisely what would have happened if she had tried to look any more Chinese for Chandni Chowk To China.

“I don’t know how or why Nikhil Advani though of a South Indian with big round eyes to play Chinese. But he did cast me. I play a half-Chinese and half-Indian.. And to get my eyes to look less big and rounded and more slanted some special makeup artistes were brought in. They suggested tapes to stick around my eyes.”

Deepika then consulted her doctors. “And they cut the idea down in time. My doctors said if I stick those tapes on my eyes for twelve hours a day the shape of my face would change forever and I’d end up looking Chinese for the rest of my life. So instead we got my makeup artiste Mallika Bhatt to do my eye makeup in such a way that my eyes looked slanted.”

Deepika plays her second double role in Chandni Chowk… after Om Shanti Om. “Yes my second in a year. Two of out my three roles so far are double roles. It just gives me that much more confidence as an actor to know that directors think I can carry off a completely Indian and a Chinese look.”

So why did she do one-third of a film between two double roles? For love?

“You mean did I do Bachna Ae Haseenon for Ranbir? Certainly not! I wasn’t even seeing him when I signed the film. And I’m definitely mature enough to keep my professional and personal life apart…

No one can take advantage of me emotionally and professionally. If I wanted to work with Ranbir I’d be doing half a dozen films with him. We keep away from each others’ work space and connect whenever we both have the time.

But we’ve worked in only one film and we’re in the process of signing another. I’ve liked the script. But other details need to be worked out.”

Ever since Deepika Padukone did her second film with two other female leads she has had people asking her why she agreed to do it.

“A lot of people feel it was a mistake for me to do a film with two other heroines when I had done a solo-heroine film with Shah Rukh Khan at the start of my career. But I was very clear that I wanted to do it the minute I heard my part. And I’m glad I did it.”

From now on however, it’s solo-heroine projects for Deepika. “I’m looking primarily at solo- heroine films unless I’m as excited about a multi-heroine project as I was about Bachna….”

Did she like herself in Bachna? “OSO was a challenge because I had to play someone from the 1970s. Bachna… I had to play today’s character. For me the exciting part is when people say I was good in Bachna… in spite of having so little to do.When established actors tell me that I look good and can act I feel happy.”

Deepika believes she’s not in the industry to make friends. In fact Saif Ali Khan who shot Imtiaz Ali’s film with her in London says she’s professional and aloof.

“I’m more happy doing my shots and keeping to myself. Specially when I am shooting so far away from home I’d rather be on my own. Shooting this film was special because Imtiaz Ali is not a director who directs from the monitor.

He actually stands on the sets and gives instruction.He okays a take there and then. I’d be unsure of a shot but he’d okay it immediately. That’s a change. Like in Bachna Ae Haseenon, I play very contemporary character in Imtiaz’s film. It’s avery today character.”

Deepika rubbishes rumours of Rishi Kapoor calling her ‘Bahurani’.

“I don’t know where such things come from. I worked with him in London for Imtiaz’a film and we were thorough professionals. He was as warm towards me as he was with the rest of the crew.

I don’t have too many scenes with him. But yes we interacted for a longer time in London than we ever did in Mumbai. He’s a very caring person. He made sure everyone had khana on time.

When he arrives and leaves the set he greets everyone with equal warmth. We were working 12 hours a day. However my time after after work is mine.”

Deepika now shoots for Imtiaz in Delhi, and then the film is over.

“I’m only 22. And I’m very happy with the work that I’m doing, ” is her parting shot.

I can’t do anything that requires me to put my weight on my left leg,” she said.Being from an athletic family, Deepika always wanted to do an action film. “Yes, I always wanted to do an action character. I’m glad I got an opportunity. Akshay Kumar was a fantastic co-star. The way he comes on the sets and goes through the scenes of the day and the way he improvises, is tremendous.”Speaking on endorsements, Deepika said she has turned down the Nakshatra diamond deal after Aishwarya Rai’s contract ended. “I don’t know who else they went to. But they did come to me. And things didn’t work out. I’m as selective about my endorsements as I am about my movies. I’d definitely endorse brands that I believe in. I’d like to represent brands that suit my age. I’m endorsing the Signature brand for Levis, Kingfisher Airlines, Tissot.”

Deepika Padukone wants nothing more than to do a sports -based film. And if it is about badminton then nothing like it.

“Look at what Chak De India did to hockey. I’d love to do a really good film on the game of badminton which is the family game.”

In fact efforts are on to put a project like this together.

Deepika recently played bandminton with her dad Prakash Padukone recently. “We were playing together after a really long time.

I like to contribute as much as possible to sports. Yes, I’d support badminton more than any other sport. But I’d like to support Indian sports in every way possible.This was the first time that we played in front of the media.”

While doing the intricate stunts and martial arts in Chandni Chowk To China Deepika Padukone got herself a chronically sprained ankle. “The stunts in Chandni Chowk To China were tough. Fortunately I got no broken bones. But I got a twisted ankle which will remain with me. My left ankle will remain sprained for all my life.

I sprained it once while rehearsing and then I sprained the same ankle at exactly the same place twice again. Luckily it’s not a fracture. But I can’t sit cross-legged or sit on my hunches…I can’t do anything that requires me to put my weight on my left leg.”

Being from an athletic family Deepika always wanted to do an action film. “Yes, I always wanted to do an action character. I’m glad I got an opportunity. Akshay Kumar was a fantastic co-star. The way he comes on the sets and goes through the scenes of the day and the way he improvises, is tremendous.”

Deepika Padukone is doing the maximum endorsements. Last heard turned down the Nakshatra diamond deal after Aishwarya Rai’s contract ended. They finally had to go to Katrina Kaif.

What is the truth behind this?

Says Deepika, “I don’t know who else they went to. But they did come to me. And things didn’t work out. I’m as selective about my endorsements as I am about my movies.

I’d definitely endorse brands that I believe in. I’d like to represent brands that suit my age. I’m endorsing the Signature brand for Levis, Kingfisher airlines, Tissot. I’m good at time management. That comes from being a sport person.

I started travellimg at a very young age. That taught me to be punctual. Sometimes one has to wait for things to happen on film sets. That’s okay. There’re so many things to be taken care of. So no, I don’t get irritated by delays on film sets.”

So what irritates Deeepika? “People who lack common sense and who lie. Otherwise I’m quite tolerant.”

She is also working with Akshay in Chandni Chowk To China for which she has even learnt Ju-jitsu.Deepika also graces the cover of the latest edition of Grazia magazine.

“I am really looking forward to be a part of the show,” Deepika said. Deepika attended an event here to announce the winner of a Fiama Di Wills Beautiful Face 2008 Hunt, organised in collaboration with the Elite Modelling Agency.
Delhi-based Prerana Sharma was crowned winner of the event by the actress. Deepika said: “During my days of modelling, I never got any such opportunity or platform to showcase my talent. But god has been kind to me.”

Whatever the news or speculation, ‘Sarkar 3’ would be soulless without Big B. So, Amitabh and possibly Ash will be there for the sequel as well.Varma, however, is not available for any comments.

However, even after the success of her debut, Om Shanti Om, Deepika didn’t feel any pressure to perform. “I don’t think I was under any type of pressure after the success of OSO. One always has to move on from the success of one movie to better oneself in the others. Yes, I’m very happy that I had a good start in the industry, but then I can’t sit and ponder over that thought.”

The leggy beauty is also bettering herself on the badminton court. She recently played a game opposite her dad, Prakash Padukone, and wants to get back to the game now. “It was nice to be back on the court and play badminton with my father. And the best part was that I won the match! I’m going to get back to playing more often now,” Deepika says.

Birthday without birthday gift seems incomplete. Few days back, Deepika gifted Ranbir MacBook Air and Ranbir being a computer savvy chat on net whenever he is free. He finds it very useful to remain in contact with Deepika as she is away from him in relation to work.

Fifteen finalists of the beauty contest will proceed to the Elite Model Look India Hunt 2008 in New Delhi next month. The eventual winner will represent the country at the global Elite competition to be held in China in November.