Deepika: No crash diet for bikini body; just some tweaking

Chic, uber sexy and casual, Deepika Padukone's styling in Cocktail was an eclectic mix of high-street and high-fashion. The leggy lass also managed to raise the mercury in a sleek, smokin' hot orange bikini.

Deepika talks to Sonil Dedhia about the success of the film. The face of Fiama Di Wills also shared her beauty and fitness tips.

The much talked about part of Cocktail was your bikini scene. Did you do anything special for it?

We shot in Cape Town (South Africa) so I tried to soak in as much sun as possible. I did alter my diet just a couple of days before the shoot.

I have always been fit; I didn't have to go on any crash diet or exercise. I just needed a little bit of tweaking.

I think it's the lovely sun in Cape Town that gave the luminous colour to my skin (smiles).

Even your harsh critics praised your performance in Cocktail. Does it feel nice to be accepted by people who were cynical about your talent?

It's nice to know that people have woken up and realised that there is more to this person than the way she looks. They always associated me with being glamorous and thought that I could do only certain types of roles.

I am happy I have managed to break that notion, but that was not my intention. I didn't want to prove anything to anyone.

Do you feel good that you could do it with a glamorous role?

Sure. I actually managed to get people to say that was an outstanding performance and you looked great.

I give that credit to Imtiaz Ali who wrote the role for me and also to director Homi Adajania, and Anaita Shroff Adajania who styled me in the film. Even Anil Chinappa who has done my make-up.

They have all taken my character to a whole new level.

Since your styling in the film has been appreciated so much. Would you be more concious about your looks in your future projects?

The idea is not to repeat Cocktail. It was very apt for that film. I can't use the same look in another film. Of course you want to experiment with the look, but I am still playing a character and I need to be true to that.

I would want to do something different, but my character needs to give me that range.

Sometimes in your profession you have to take shortcuts to fitness like going on crash diets. Doesn't that take a toll on your health?

Ideally, one should not reach a stage where you have to do it suddenly and go on crash diets and exercises. You need to be conscious on a daily basis. I feel that this should be your lifestyle.

For me, working out and eating healthy is a part of my lifestyle. I don't do it for a particular day or a shoot.

I know a lot of people who eat crazy and don't work out and suddenly they want a perfect body for which they go on a crash diet. This takes a toll on your hormones. It is always better to lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

You believe in maintaining a balance diet. What is your take on size zero?

I am someone who believes that size doesn't matter; fitness and health should come first.

I know people who are heavy but they have great stamina and at the same time I also know people who are skinny with no stamina. It depends on your fitness level. There is nothing wrong with being a size zero as long as it is a healthy size zero.

You are one of India's best dressed celebrities. How would you describe your overall style?

I believe it is important to have your own style but at the same time I ensure that it reflects my personality.

I also see that I am comfortable in what I wear. If you are constantly tugging and pulling, the discomfort shows.

I don't believe in blindly following fashion trends.

Have you ever had a fashion faux pas?

I remember I had a disastrous moment on the ramp during a show in Abu Dhabi where I had to quickly drape a sari and walk the ramp.

Normally, when you wear a sari you have to keep some space so that you can walk, which in a hurry, I didn't do.

I went up on stage and realised I couldn't walk! I had to pick up the sari and start walking. The ramp looked as if it would never end! (laughs)

Are you brand-conscious?

I am not very brand-conscious. I leave that to Anaita Shroff Adajania who is my stylist.

Whether she picks up stuff from the streets or from a high-end fashion label from Paris or Milan, it's completely her choice. I believe it should be a mix of both.

Lately we have seen a lot of celebrities endorsing so many products at the same time. What is your take on it?

I think different people think differently. Some people think that the more the endorsements the more popular you are. Personally, I have always been very selective about my endorsements. Even if I endorse eight products, I should be able to do justice to all of them.