After 'wild' remark, Imtiaz Ali tells Deepika: Please don't misunderstand
Imtiaz Ali publicly clarified his comments on Deepika Padukone's 'good girl' image during Cocktail casting. The note came after online criticism over remarks about her public persona and Veronica's role.
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali issued a public clarification after his remarks about actor Deepika Padukone’s image during the casting of Cocktail (2012) drew criticism online. He clarified that the comments were made in a fun, light-hearted way and were never meant to upset her. Re-sharing a video of his statement on Instagram, Ali said he decided to address the matter publicly after being told that his words may have been misunderstood and could hurt the actor.
The clarification followed the circulation of Ali’s comments about Padukone first being asked to read for Meera in the 2012 film before being considered for Veronica, a part he said was very different from her public image at the time. His remarks have also renewed discussion around the film and Padukone’s performance in it at a time when Cocktail 2 is scheduled for a theatrical release on June 19.
Imtiaz Ali’s clarification post
In his note, Ali said he never thought he would have to write such a disclaimer for Padukone, but did not want to take a chance.
Addressing her directly, he wrote, “My dearest and loveliest Deepika Padukone, you are my pal, my buddy, my safe option for humour. I think you will never misunderstand my attempts at fun because more than anyone else you know how much I love you, admire you, understand you and appreciate you. But I have been told you might misunderstand and be hurt, so I am telling you, please don’t (sic).”
He added that being mean to her was “not possible in this lifetime” for him, and ended the note by wishing her the best and sending his love. Ali also said Padukone knows better than anyone how much he loves, admires, understands and appreciates her.
What he said about Deepika Padukone
Speaking to News18 earlier about the casting of Cocktail, Ali said he had written the story of the film and that Padukone was first asked to read for Meera, the role later played by Diana Penty. He said she later called him, after which he asked her to read for Veronica instead.
Ali said Veronica was very different from Padukone’s public image at the time. "Veronica is so different from what Deepika's image was at that point of time. But since I had been in the room and attended parties with her, I know how crazy and wild she can be, even though she was otherwise projecting a very 'good girl' image at that time," he said.
More about Deepika's role in Cocktail
Padukone’s role as Veronica in Cocktail is often seen as a turning point in her career because it gave her a more emotionally layered part than the glamorous romantic roles she had largely been associated with before then. In the film, Veronica is shown as a bold, affluent and fiercely independent party girl in London who hides her emotional emptiness behind a carefree lifestyle, while also showing deep care for Meera.
Cocktail 2 stars Kriti Sanon, Rashmika Mandanna and Shahid Kapoor in lead roles.