Deepika Padukone named in drug probe: Shocked, says Kannada director Indrajit Lankesh
Kannada filmmaker Indrajit Lankesh said that he is shocked to see Deepika Padukone's name being dragged in the Bollywood drug probe. He introduced Deepika to cinema with a Kannada film titled Aishwarya in 2006.
Kannada filmmaker and journalist Indrajit Lankesh, in an interview with India Today TV, said that he is shocked and surprised to see Deepika Padukone's name being dragged in the Bollywood drug probe. It was Indrajit who introduced Deepika Padukone to the world of cinema with his Kannada film Aishwarya, which released in 2006. Deepika has been summoned by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and will appear before them on September 25.
Speaking to India Today TV, Indrajit Lankesh said, "I am shocked and surprised because I knew Deepika in a different light when she worked with me." Indrajit introduced Deepika in his film Aishwarya, in which she was paired opposite Upendra. The film was a commercial success.
Indrajit's father was a huge admirer of Deepika Padukone's father Prakash Padukone. "She was doing small-time modelling. Prakash is a very disciplined man. He comes from a village called Padukone. I am in awe of him. When I saw Deepika, I saw the same focus and her father's discipline, focus and the zeal to achieve something, especially when she became an actress."
"Her father always wanted her to become a badminton player. Later on, her focus shifted towards acting and she wanted to become an actress. Even though Prakash wasn't interested, he encouraged her and she became an actress," Indrajit explained.
Indrajit recalled Deepika Padukone's grit and determination to succeed. He said, "She had something to prove, swimming against the tide. When she worked in Aishwarya, I could see the discipline, the focus and the urge to achieve something to make a big name. That's the reason why I am shocked. If it's [allegations] true, I will be sad."
It was after Aishwarya, Deepika Padukone went on to do Om Shanti Om with Shah Rukh Khan. Directed by Farah Khan, the film won National Award for Best Production Design.
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