By Subhash K Jha
It's been a time of horrendous homesickness for the rapidly on the rise Deepika Padukone.
"I've either been shooting out of the country or just been busy in Mumbai.It's been a really hectic time for me. I haven't been to my home in Bangalore for three years."
Now for Ganesh Chaturthi Deepika heads home to Bangalore. "I'm going home after three years. It feels really good."
But Ganesh Chaturthi is very big in Mumbai and also extremely important at her boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor's RK Studios.
Even if Ranbir would like to have her stay in Mumbai for the occasion Deepika is adamant.
"Ganesh Chaturthi is also a very big event in my home in Banglore.It's a time when my entire family including my sister, comes together.Or whatever remains of the family in Bangalore. A lot of my relatives are now in the US.
I've missed the occasion for the past three years. So I can't help it. I've to go home now. Am I religious? I don't go to the temple every day. But my God is right here in my heart. I believe in a force. And that keeps me grounded."
Interestingly Deepika's younger sister Alisha is a professional golfer.
Says the proud sister. "My sister is five years younger to me. I sometimes envy my sister. She has gone into sports, like my father. And she gets to play golf professionally. That's a unique position for a 19-year to be in. Acting seems rather ordinary in comparison."
In fact Deeepika's sister has recently got an offer for a film in their native language.
"That's right she has been offered a Kannada film. But she's absolutely not interested in a film career. One actress in the family is enough, " laughs.
The brings to the one roles that's on Deepika's wish list. "I'd love to do a sports film. Not neceassarily my dad's game badminton but any sport except cricket. I feel too much priority is given to cricket in our country. I'm so glad films on other sports like hockey and football are being made. I'd love to do film based on badminton."
Unconventional roles are coming Deepika's way without asking.
"When I was told that in Bachna Ae Haseenon I had to play an Indian cab driver in Australia who doesn't believe in marriage, I said I had to do this even if there were two other girls in the story.
Luckily for me I got along like a house on fire with Bipasha Basu and Minissha Lamba. Even if I hadn't I'd still have enjoyed doing the role thoroughly….And not because Ranbir was in it, " she adds quickly.
