Respect 100 crore club, but want critical acclaim and audience's love: Deepika

Though Deepika had a head start as 'Shanti' with Om Shanti Om, there were some obstacles ahead. However from being 'Veronica' (Cocktail) to 'Leela' (Ram-Leela), it has been one enviable journey for sure.

Deepika Padukone's success story is pretty much reminiscent of the kind that Madhuri Dixit had enjoyed in her career. After making a slow start, Madhuri had turned 'Mohini' and never looked back. Though Deepika had a head start as 'Shanti' with Om Shanti Om, there were some obstacles ahead. However from being 'Veronica' [Cocktail] to 'Leela' [

Deepika-Padukone-reportedly-broke-down-on-the-last-day-of-Ram-Leela-when-Sanjay-Leela-Bhansali-praised-the-actress

Ram-Leela

], it has been one enviable journey for sure.

It's a huge compliment for me. Having said that, I am not in a position to be drawing that comparison myself. If audiences, critics and industry are saying then I would acknowledge that. Of course Madhuri has been someone who has been a great influence in my life during the growing up years. People like her and Sridevi are greats of Indian cinema, just like Waheeda Rahman and Madhubala are.

It's an overwhelming feeling. Still, these are not the things that an actor can control when it comes to which calendar year a film releases in. I am fortunate that these films have come back to back for me. However, I can only handle the creative part of film. Once I sign a film, I want to be true to myself in every moment that I spend making it. I enjoy that part the most. Then I move on.

Well, I won't mind at all (smiles). However, I am still waiting. Let that 100 crore thing happen. Post that if it goes beyond or even 200 crore then that's more than welcome. I respect the 100 crore club. However, I want the critical acclaim as well as audience's compliments to come in for the film too. Otherwise such 100 crore affairs are of no meaning to me.