Deepika Padukone's role in Padmaavat has awed critics, and having seen the end result she knows exactly why.
In an interview with DNA, the actor disclosed that playing Padmavati has been her most challenging role to date - one she feels she won't be able to outdo if offered another historical figure.
"I don't think I can top Padmavati. So at least for a long time to come, I will not attempt any other historical character. I know people say, 'Never say never.' I'm an actor and I may get tempted to do another historical character, if I'm offered one. But I know it will not be for a long, long time."
Deepika is grateful to Sanjay Leela Bhansali for giving her such powerful roles to play; she felt she fit right into the role of Padmavati though it was difficult.
"Playing Rani Padmavati was tough. The most challenging part was that there were no crutches available to her. As a queen, she cannot scream or yell. She has to hold fort because her husband has been captured. She can't break down because the entire kingdom is now looking at her.
"She's the strength and courage for the entire community. So, she has to bottle up every emotion that she is feeling. When I played Mastani [in Bajirao Mastani], I thought that was tough. But at least she went to war and had a sword in her hand, so there was a release. Over here, it was different. I found it more challenging than some of the other parts that I've played."
The actor added, "I think it was just meant to be. Mr Bhansali has blessed me with three such amazingly strong and powerful characters. Leela, Mastani and Padmavati are all so different. There was a lot of apprehension when people knew that I was doing my third film with Sanjay sir. They felt how much different is it going to be than what he has made with me earlier. Now, it is there for everyone to see."
The film has definitely left an impact on the Bollywood star, as she explained that her role in the film will never leave her. "I do not think you can ever move on from a character like Padmavati. One phase is when you are shooting it and the other phase is when the film releases and you start getting reactions to it. I know she is someone who will always be within me. She is going to live within me forever."
Interestingly, this is the third period drama Deepika featured in alongside Ranveer, but she doesn't feel like they worked together in Padmaavat.
"In this case, I don't feel that Ranveer and I have shot a film together because we didn't have a single moment together."
Summing up Bhansali's efforts and purpose behind the film, she said, "To him, the film was a tribute to the power, strength and beauty of a queen. It was always his vision to have celebrated this woman's power, courage and dignity. And I can understand that. To me, the ultimate thing was that she led from the front. She led like a warrior without being one. So, it's a very special film."
