'Lafangey Parindey' most challenging film of my life: Deepika

Aug 6, 2010 IANS

New Delhi, Aug 5 (IANS) From falling into a ditch to getting hit by an auto -- Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone faced it all while shooting for her upcoming movie 'Lafangey Parindey' and she feels that it has been the most challenging film of her life.

'This has physically been the most challenging film for me. I had to learn how to skate, then I had to act blind, I had to hold a pigeon, run behind a chicken, get bitten by a dead fish - don't ask me how,' Deepika said.

'I fell a zillion times and even hurt my knee. By the way, my knee still hasn't healed. Oh! I also fell into a ditch with my face-in, got knocked over by an auto and hit a lamppost. I still have the mark where the fish bit,' she added.

Director Pradeep Sarkar has teamed up with Deepika, Neil Nitin Mukesh and a bunch of other actors to present the story of a group of youngsters living in the backstreets of Mumbai.

Produced by Adiya Chopra, it is releasing Aug 20, and will see Neil playing a boxer who fights blindfolded while Deepika will be seen as a visually challenged girl who can dance on skates.

For her role of Pinky in the movie, Deepika had to train for almost six months on skates before the actual shooting started.

'At first, I trained in Mumbai with a local trainer. And then, Adi (Aditya Chopra) and dada (Pradeep Sarkar) flew down professional skaters from Italy. They wanted to make sure that whatever I do looks professional, exactly like we see on television,' Deepika said.

Deepika, 24, feels that she has been lucky enough to play such a strong character so early in her career.

'I was surprised when Adi offered me such a film so early in my career. He said that I had the potential to pull it off. So it was more like a challenge that was thrown at me,' said Deepika.

'The offer came at such a time in my career that I was ready to take that challenge. It was also a very different kind of film. The character was very interesting, so I had to accept it,' she added.

This is the first time Deepika and Neil are paired opposite each other and they share an interesting chemistry on screen. Talking about her rapport with Neil, Deepika feels she has found a friend for life in him.

'Honestly, I think Neil is the most giving actor I have worked with. I can definitely say that he is the most supportive. He puts me before himself. There are days when it's an important scene for him too but he would be there to support me and worry about my performance,' Deepika said.

'Also, sometimes he wasn't even shooting but he would be there on the sets, helping around and be there to support me. So I can say that both professionally and personally, Neil has been there for me. I think I have a friend for life,' she added.

Deepika, daughter of ace Badminton player Prakash Padukone, is hoping this movie sets a sports trend among youngsters.

'I come from a sports family and am very passionate for all types of sports. So if this picks up, it will be cool to see youngsters skating around,' said Deepika.

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Lafangey Parindey