I don't need an art film to prove myself: Deepika Padukone

Padukone's contemporaries  Katrina Kaif seems keen to silence her critics with filmmaker Prakash Jha's political drama 'Rajneeti'. Priyanka Chopra too has shed her glamorous image for an off-beat film like 'Kaminey'. However, the model-turned-actress has no intentions to try her hand in parallel cinema to prove her acting prowess.

"Every film is a challenge for me which evolves me as an actress. I don't think I need to act in an art film to know myself better as an actress," Padukone said. The actress was in the capital to launch the Fiama De Wills new soap range. The 23-year-old star, who started her career with Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan starrer 'Om Shanti Om', is of the opinion that Indian cinema is going through a dynamic change which is blurring the line between the commercial and art house.

"I think the Indian cinema is going through a positive change where script is almighty. I have been lucky to get well-etched characters in my past films. For example Meera in Love Aaj Kal was a challenging one as an actress," Padukone said.

Padukone who earned rave reviews for Imtiaz Ali's film is taking it slow for the time being. The actress who has no release lined up for this year will only be seen 2010.
The actress has wrapped the shooting for 'Kartik Calling Kartik', a romantic thriller with Farhan Akhtar which will hit the theatres early next year. The onscreen couple were last seen together on Farhan's TV chat show 'Oye It's Friday'.

"It was a charming experience to work with Farhan and we bonded really well. Kartik is a thriller which will present a different to the audience," the actress said. Padukone is also dabbling with comedy in Sajid Khan's 'Housefull' starring, Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and Lara Dutta.

"I consider comedy as the most difficult genre for an actor. I must admit it was challenging for me at the start but then later I got the hang of it. Akshay, Lara and Riteish are very good in their comic timings so they also helped enhance my performance," she said.

After, 'Bachna Ae Haseeno' in 2008, Padukone is set to reprise her collaboration with Yashraj Films. The actress has been cast opposite Neil Nitin Mukesh to star in yet-untitled film to be directed by Pradeep Sarkar. Talking about the film, the actress said, "It is a love story based in Mumbai will go on floor this December."