Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone spoke about Indian cinema and why people still look to it for larger-than-life characters.
“I think internationally the perception of Indian cinema is about colour, culture, song, dance, that grandeur and scale. For them, it is still about larger-than-life characters. Having said that, there are movie lovers who are well versed with our cinema which is beyond that,” she said.
Padukone made her red carpet debut at Cannes Film Festival 2017 as an ambassador for the cosmetic brand L’Oreal Paris on Wednesday.
During a video call, Padukone spoke about the perception of Indian cinema to the international audience.
“I was talking to Susan Sarandon and she was telling me that her son is making a film where he picked up the dance element from Indian films that he incorporated in his film. So you know the perception is that. Yes, I know that our movie is beyond [the] song-dance saga but I think there is a lot to do with educating international audience about our cinema,” Padukone said.
Padukone, who has acted in films such as Bajirao Mastani and Piku, won recently starred in Hollywood film xXx: Return of Xander Cage.
At Cannes, the actress wore a bottle green Brandon Maxwell gown with green graphic eye makeup. She was also praised for her opening ceremony appearance with a jewel-toned maroon grown and yellow body-hugging dress.
Talking about the criticism that Priyanka Chopra faced regarding her outfit at the Met Gala, which she also attended, Padukone said: “I do not think I am expert enough to comment on other’s dress. And I think we should respect that fact that fashion is a way of expression, sometimes you may identify with it, and sometimes you may not. But you have to allow people to try different things and experience the red carpet moment instead of criticising them.”
Padukone also mingled with actors such as Julianne Moore and spent some time exploring the beachside with actress Elle Fanning.
“I am not feeling the pressure to be here... rather [I’m] connecting with people nicely. I have got such a warm welcome from Julianne Moore and Susan Sarandon... they are [such] gentle souls and powerful women.
“You know when we met, yes there is a film star in us, but we were connected as women. We bonded... in the room, we were chatting, giggling and having real time. I will cherish that for life.”
While three Bollywood actresses are walking the Cannes red carpet this year — Padukone, Aishwarya Rai and Sonam Kapoor — Indian films did not make the cut except for a short film.
Padukone is not disheartened.
“It would have been nice if we had some Indian films. I am sure it will happen, sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn’t. We can’t be hard on ourselves. It will happen when it has to,” she said.
“A film that I would have brought here would be Piku. I am very proud of Piku and I would have loved to show it here,” she said.
