Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has issued a heartfelt clarification for actress Deepika Padukone after facing backlash over his recent comments about her “good girl” image during the casting of Cocktail. The director shared an emotional message on Instagram, insisting that he never intended to hurt the actress and that his remarks were made in humour.
Imtiaz Ali Shares Emotional Note For Deepika
Taking to Instagram Stories, Imtiaz addressed Deepika directly and described her as one of his closest friends. He wrote that she has always been his “safe option for humour” and expressed hope that she would not misunderstand his intentions.
The filmmaker added that he deeply admires, understands and appreciates Deepika, and clarified that being mean to her was “never possible.” He also mentioned that he never imagined he would have to write such a disclaimer but did not want to take any chance if his words had caused hurt.
What Sparked The Controversy?
The controversy began after Imtiaz Ali, in a recent interview, revealed that Deepika was initially offered the role of Meera in Cocktail — a character eventually portrayed by Diana Penty.
According to Imtiaz, he later suggested that Deepika audition for Veronica because he believed the role would be refreshingly different from the actress’s public image at that time.
While explaining his thought process, the filmmaker said he knew Deepika had a “wild and crazy” side despite projecting a “good girl” image publicly. His use of the word “facade” triggered criticism online, with several social media users accusing him of making insensitive remarks about the actress.
Deepika’s Veronica Became Iconic
Deepika eventually played Veronica in Cocktail, a bold and emotionally layered character that became one of the most memorable performances of her career. The film also starred Saif Ali Khan and Diana Penty.
Over the years, Veronica has remained one of Deepika’s most loved roles and is often credited with redefining her image in Bollywood.
Imtiaz Ali’s Upcoming Film
On the work front, Imtiaz Ali is currently gearing up for the release of his upcoming directorial Main Vaapas Aaunga. The film stars Sharvari, Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina and Naseeruddin Shah, and is scheduled to hit theatres on June 12.