Don't think myself as number one actress: Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone does not think that she is the number one heroine and says box- office collections do not matter much to her.

Last year, Deepika delivered four back-to-back hit films - Abbas Mustan's 'Race 2', 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' with Ranbir Kapoor, Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Chennai Express' and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Ram Leela'.

When asked if she thinks she is the heroine number one, Deepika says, "I don't think of myself that way, it feels good when others say it. I think that is the best kind of validation that you can get when people tell you that.
I hope it is about the work and not necessarily the numbers (money) that the films are making. "Box office collection doesn't value much to me, I feel the films should have repeat value.
For me, the sign of a successful film is that it should have repeat value even after 10 or 20 years. Like, how we refer to 'Sholay', 'Kabhie Kabhie', 'Mughal-E-Azam' today...they are iconic films. I hope the films that I have been part of end up becoming like that," she said. Deepika has been nominated in the best actress category at almost all the award shows this year. "There have been really nice performances.
I am little disappointed that all my films got released last year... I wish they were spaced out and gave audience a breathing time. But the year was special to me, not just box office wise but also for the appreciation that I got for the films," she said. When asked who she thinks as her competitor this year, she said, "Nimrat Kaur was good in 'The Lunch box', Sonakshi Sinha in 'Lootera' and Sonam Kapoor in 'Ranjhaana'."
Though she tasted success last year, she is not worried about the future. "I think we should not worry. I work from heart and give my best. I work very hard for all my films and the fate of the films are beyond your control," she said. Her onscreen chemistry with Shah Rukh has been appreciated by everyone.
"We have been lucky in terms of scripts that we got. It took six years for us to come together for 'Chennai Express' after 'Om Shanti Om'. It is the script and the character that enhances our onscreen chemistry. I hope 'Happy New Year' is as special as 'Om Shanti Om' and 'Chennai Express'," she said.

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I am single, says Deepika Padukone

Actress Deepika Padukone, who has been romantically linked with her 'Ram-Leela' co-star Ranveer Singh, says that she is very much single.

Apparently, Deepika, who turned 28 on January 5 spent her birthday with Ranveer and the alleged couple was spotted together in New York. In an interview recently, she had denied rumours of a relationship with Ranveer but evaded the question on the issue this time saying that all this talk is not true.
When asked if she was single, she said, "Yes ...yes." "You are happy (now)," she told reporters at the Stardust cover launch event here last night.
Earlier, the actress sidestepped queries on Ranveer on filmmaker Karan Johar's chat show 'Koffee with Karan' when she was prodded about her supposed boyfriend and instead asked, "Am I dating him ?"
Sometime back, the pictures of Ranbir Kapoor and his rumoured girlfriend Katrina Kaif were published by the magazine. And now Deepika's photos with Ranveer are going viral but the actress is not worried about the pictures getting published.
"It doesn't matter as it is part of what I do. When the issue releases I will buy the copy to read it," she said.

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Item girl tag derogatory and silly: Malaika Arora Khan

Actress Malaika Arora Khan, whose popular dance numbers like 'Chaiyya Chaiyya', 'Munni Badnam Hui' have raised the bar for her contemporaries to match her style, finds the item girl tag "derogatory and silly".

"I don't like the term 'item girl'... Why not look at it (item song) as a special song?...A song that is creating a hype and entertainment. I find it derogatory and silly," Malaika told PTI in an interview.

Unlike in the past, currently mainstream actresses like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and others are also doing special songs in different films.

When asked if the leading ladies are intruding the space, Malaika said she did not think so.

"There is enough work for everyone. Everybody has a role or part to play, if somebody fits the bill that is what matters," she added.

Malaika, whose song 'Munni Badnam Hui' in Bollywood film 'Dabangg' (2010) was a hit, says nothing interesting has come up in terms of special dance numbers.

The actress is back to judge yet another season of television series of reality show, 'India's Got Talent'.

"Last time, I was there for half the season. This time I am getting the feel of everything as I am there from beginning. Previously, I was there from elimination part and it was tough. This time it is insane amount of work. In a day we have 20-25 acts minimum," Malaika said.

On the talent pool at 'India's Got Talent', she said some of the acts pulled off by contestants in the current fifth season are breathtaking.

"Some of the acts this season are hysterical, beyond anyone's comprehension. The acts are breathtaking, mind blowing, death defying and amazing. I don't think there is any show which provides you a platform to showcase varied kind of talent from all over the country," she said. Malaika says disqualifying contestants is a tough call.

"Everybody comes with a background... A story. We try to dwell into their personal lives, we ask them where they come from, interact with them... It brings out the real aspect of the show.

"Despite the kind of conditions that they have been living in they still pursue their talent, something that they want to show to the world. It is difficult to say no but we have no choice but to follow the format," Malaika said.

Besides Malaika, filmmaker Karan Johar and actress Kirron Kher are other judges for the show to be aired on Colors.

Though Malaika has proved herself as a dancer on screen, but one format she wants to learn is belly dancing.

"I would love to learn popping, locking and robotics, gymnastics and acrobatics, it is amazing to learn these things. I know basic thing about belly dancing but not the technicalities, I want to learn it. I want to learn belly dancing. I wish to learn more of dancing. I have been associated with dance since long time but yet there is so much more to learn about it," she said.

Malaika says the space of belly dancing is largely unexplored in Bollywood movies.

"We have done a few steps here and there in films, whether Deepika Padukone or Katrina Kaif they all have done it but not the real part. There is no one who has actually done belly dancing on screen.

"We just know how to move a bit here and there. But there is lot more to it like -- the way the one moves their body, the rhythm they have, muscle control, etc, it is not easy. I want to go little deeper into belly dancing and learn it," she added. Besides belly dancing, the 40-year-old actress would like to do some bike stunts and acrobatics, which she says fascinate her.

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