Deepika Padukone - before the camera and behind it too!

New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) Being in front of the camera as a model and then as an actress has taught Deepika Padukone how to give the right shots, but did you know that the 24-year-old is a keen photographer and always carries her camera.

The actress, who was here Wednesday to announce her association with Sony India's Cyber-shot digital camera range as the brand ambassador, said even though she is not a gadget person, she always carries a camera with her.


'Apart from my mobile phone, I always carry a camera,' Deepika, who came in a copper metallic short dress, told reporters here.


'In fact, it is very important to carry one of these and just capture moments because you never know when, where, what is going to happen and you can capture one of the most beautiful moments and look back at them years later and cherish them,' added the actress.


There is nothing particular that the actress wants to capture. She likes using the camera for anything and everything that excites her.


'I shoot all kinds of things. I shoot people, I shoot if I see something strange or funny. If I find a funny poster somewhere, I shoot that because it brings back old memories,' she said.


Talking about her association with Sony, Deepika said: 'It's (camera) classy, fashionable, sleek, stylish and at the same time very user-friendly and I think these are the qualities that Sony saw in me as a person and I see in them as a brand.


'I eagerly look forward to making a positive contribution to the brand imagery of Cyber-shot cameras and fulfil the expectations from this association,' said Deepika.


She also endorses brands like Levi's Strauss Signature, Kingfisher Airlines, Tissot watches and BSNL, among others.

Masaru Tamagawa, managing director of Sony India, said: 'We were looking for a brand ambassador whose personality could mirror this experience and give it a materialistic form. Deepika is a free spirited, bubbly, young girl who at the same time is extremely talented and a professional.

'The association seemed obvious with so many common factors between Cyber-shot and Deepika which appeal to the youth instantly.'


Tamagawa also revealed that the company will invest Rs.500 million towards marketing activities with Deepika, which include television commercials, print campaigns, outdoor and shop-front display.

Female Dostana?: Deepika Deadpan, Ghoshal Giggles…

On a musical note, vocalist Shreya Ghoshal who adores Deepika Padukone, sang a few lines from 'tumko paaya hai..' ('Om Shanti Om') adorably.

And confessed on the musical show, "Had I been a boy, you would have been my first and last love."

An amused Mika declare that the duo could well star in a female version of 'Dostana.' Ghoshal giggled, though Deepika remained deadpan. Are you tuned in, Karan ?

'People shouldn't remember me for my link-ups'

You've got to admire Deepika Padukone's poise.

The young actress manages to maintain a dignified air despite questions about her break-up with Ranbir Kapoor.

It helps too that she has films to keep her busy. After romancing Saif Ali Khan in Love Aaj Kal last year, the leggy actress is concentrating on her upcoming movie Karthik Calling Karthik opposite Farhan Akhtar. The film releases on February 26.

Syed Firdaus Ashraf caught up with Deepika for more.

Your rocking chemistry with Farhan in the promos has become the talk of the town.

Certain people can hit it off instantly. Either you have it or you don't. I never gave much thought to the whole thing. When Farhan and I were working, we never noticed [the chemistry]. It was after the promos came out and people started commenting on it that we noticed it.

Sometimes, the most unusual pairings work. The script plays a part too when it creates moments for such chemistry to come to the fore.

What is Karthik Calling Karthik about?

It is a romantic thriller about Karthik's journey. His life changes after receiving a call from another person whose name is also Karthik. It is also about Karthik's journey with Shonali [Deepika's character in the film].

I play a Bengali girl, born and brought up in Mumbai. She is independent and confident; a modern girl of today. She speaks her mind and is sensible yet emotional and loveable.

Is that your life story since you come from Bangalore and have now settled in Mumbai?

In a way, it is. But Shonali is the one who takes the first step, which is not the case with me.

Image: A scene from Karthik Calling Karthik

Farhan Akhtar's first romantic role

Farhan Akhtar's Karthik Calling Karthik tells a unique story, and sees the actor-director share the screen with Deepika Padukone.

The film's promos look good, and Farhan may have yet another winner on his hands when the film releases next month.

He tells Nithya Ramani what to expect from Karthik Calling Karthik, directed by first-timer Vijay Lalwani.

What genre would you say Karthik Calling Karthik belongs to?

Well, it definitely isn't a horror film. It creates some kind of suspense as to who this Karthik is who is making the (telephone) call. That is revealed at some point in the film. That's why it is a thriller.

There is also a beautiful love story between Karthik and Shonali (Deepika Padukone). The crust of the film is that Karthik wants Shonali in his life but he is not confident enough to tell her that. This lack of confidence has made him a miserable and lonely person.

Suddenly, he gets a call, and things start changing for him. Vijay (Lalwani, writer-director) has written some really nice scenes between Deepika and me. Of course, I cannot reveal the twist. You must watch the film.


Image: Farhan Akhtar

Karthik Calling Karthik music is easy on the ears

Sometimes a soundtrack is all about breeziness, and that seems to be the brief for Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy as they deliver an album of songs trying really hard to come across as real easy -- listening, that is.

The album kicks off with Hey Ya, a refreshing track by Shankar, Loy and Clinton Cerejo, and it starts by setting up a good, fingersnapping groove. The lyrics are standard hinglish-meets-bad r'n'b pap, but the song works nicely overall. The whoa-ho-ho vocals especially do well, making sure the end result is good, soft fun.

Next up is Uff Teri Ada, featuring Shankar along with Alyssa Mendonsa. The track takes a little while to get going, but Mendonsa's voice is perfectly suited for her rapid opening vocals, after which the dance-floor rhythm kicks in and stays solid. The chorus is punchy enough to keep the track danceable, and Mahadevan vocally provides the odd surprise to keep things interesting.

KK takes on Jaane Ye Kya Hua, a very pleasant harmonica-driven ballad doused in craving. The vocals gel quite strikingly well with Farhan Akhtar during the chorus, and even though KK doesn't quite sound like him, the feel is similar.

Kaisi Hai Ye Udaasi has Kailash Kher and Sukanya Purayastha manning the microphones. The song is mellow yet Kher sings it in his typically intense way, and it's a good thing Purayastha rescues it with a very listenable drawl much more appropriate to the subject.

Then comes Karthik Calling Karthik, the movie's theme song predictably made out of beep-boob keypad tones and assorted phone sounds. The lyrics are intriguing, though.

Bring up the guitars. Karthik 2.0 is performed and composed by the Midival Punditz and Karsh Kale, and the track seems authentic even though it doesn't go anywhere beyond some standard guitar-riffs. Still, as a theme tune, this is sexier than the last track, and has the potential to be interestingly moulded into a film.

Then come the obligatory remixes. The KCK remix, however, by Kale and the Punditz, is actually an improvement on the original track, a woofer-thumping retake. The Hey Ya and Uff Teri Ada remixes are standard issue stuff, pale and needless attempts to spice up tracks that already kinda work.

Despite a couple of tracks that should do well -- the first two, and the Punditz stuff perhaps -- the soundtrack doesn't deliver anything exceptional. Still, it's perfectly pleasant -- and that is likely all it ever tried to be. Easy listening, remember?

Deepika Padukone loves buying lingerie

Bollywood Gossip: Bollywood Actress Deepika Padukone has recently candidly revealed the truth that she loves buying lingerie in an exclusive interview which she gave to the popular Cosomopolitan Magazine’s 13th Anniversary edition.

Deepika Padukone was questioned “With all this attention, what do we still not know about you?” Deepika Padukone gave spontaneous reply, “Hey I thought I’m an open book! Okay, here it goes: I love to cook; I’m a very competitive sports player — I get all hot and sweaty playing sports; I am a chocoholic; I love buying lingerie; and I love playing pranks on my friends!

Now you guys better know what to do, Start a store coz you never know when Bollywood Diva Deepika may come to your door to buy a piece. :p

Deepika Padukone goes nude

Whether Deepika Padukone is totally nude or partly, it can’t be known but Dabboo Ratnani’s new 2010 calendar shows her in a nude posture. “I wanted to make her look sensual, but aesthetic. Last year, I had shot her in a sari, so this is in total contrast. She strikes a thinking, dreamy pose, and I have used lighting to match her mood, said Dabboo. Deepika Padukone poses bare on a sofa.

Every year Ratnani has something unique stored for his calendar and this time too he has used some yesteryears shades, black and white. Like every year this year too the stars has kept their diary vacant for Ratnan’s photo shoot.

Many bigwigs of Bollywood posed for the calendar. “The 2010 calendar includes the Big B, Aishwarya Rai, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Kajol, Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, John Abraham, Sonam Kapoor and Kangna Ranaut among others. The first-timers on his calendar include Asin, Farhan Akhtar, Genelia D'Souza and Imran Khan this year”. Ratnani feels that every star looks hot in his calendar. "They are all my friends and go out of their way to cooperate. For me they all look hot."