Deepika Padukone and filmmaker Imtiaz Ali have shared a close professional bond for over a decade, collaborating on memorable films like Love Aaj Kal and Tamasha. Recently, however, one of Imtiaz’s remarks about Deepika’s “good girl image” during a discussion about Cocktail sparked major reactions online, prompting the director to clarify his statement publicly.
Imtiaz Ali responds after backlash over Deepika remark
After his comments received criticism on social media, Imtiaz Ali took to Instagram Stories to explain that his words were never intended to hurt Deepika. Addressing the actress warmly, he wrote that she has always been someone he deeply admires and cares for.
He shared, “My dearest and loveliest Deepika Padukone, you are my pal, my buddy, my safe option for humour. I think you will never misunderstand my attempts at fun because more than anyone else, you know how much I love you, admire you, understand you, and appreciate you.”
The filmmaker further added that some people felt his comments could be misunderstood, which is why he wanted to personally clarify things before any misunderstanding grew further. He emphasized that hurting Deepika was never his intention and affectionately noted that being mean to her was “impossible in this lifetime.”
What sparked the controversy?
The discussion began after a clip from Imtiaz Ali’s interview with News18 started circulating online. While talking about the casting process of Homi Adajania’s Cocktail, he revealed that Deepika was originally considered for the role of Meera, which was eventually played by Diana Penty.
However, after speaking with Deepika, Imtiaz felt she would be a better fit for Veronica’s bold and carefree character. Explaining his reasoning, he mentioned that although Deepika publicly carried a “good girl” image at the time, he had seen a more fun and uninhibited side of her personally.
His statement quickly went viral online, with many social media users debating the “facade” comment and its implications. Following the backlash, Imtiaz chose to publicly clear the air and reaffirm his admiration for the actress.
