I owe my standing in Bollywood to Karan Johar: Deepika

Mumbai: Actress Deepika Padukone, who would be seen in Karan Johar`s forthcoming home production `Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani`, has credited the filmmaker for the standing that she has in the film industry today.

"I remember meeting Karan when I was doing `Om Shanti Om`. They (Shahrukh Khan and Farah Khan) introduced me to him and I remember how warm he was towards me, the kind of encouragement he gave me when I was in the industry...I think it is because of people like him, why I am here today," Deepika said. `Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani` is a romantic film directed by Ayan Mukerji under Karan Johar`s Dharma Productions. The film brings back hit pair Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika in lead roles. This is their second film together after `Bachna Ae Haseeno`. On, whether she would be attending Karan`s birthday party on May 25, Deepika said, "Yes I would be going. It is like a big event in our calendar...everyone is planning about it for a long time, who is wearing what. He is someone I am extremely fond of. I think it is his energy, the minute you are with him he makes you feel light hearted and happy, " Deepika told reporters here last night. Karan`s birthday bash is being hosted at a five-star hotel in the city by famous fashion designer Manish Malhotra, where a lot of Bollywood actors including Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan have been invited. Meanwhile, Deepika is also looking forward to her forthcoming movie 'Cocktail', directed by Homi Adajania of 'Being Cyrus' fame. 'Cocktail', a romantic comedy, stars Saif Ali Khan, Deepika and debutante Diana Penty. The film under Saif Ali Khan's banner Illuminati Films, is expected to release in July this year. This is third outing for Saif and Deepika after 'Love Aaj Kal' and 'Aarakshan'. "The minute people see me and Saif together, it reminds them about 'Love Aaj Kal', but it ('Cocktail') is a different film. It is written by Imitiaz and directed by Homi. "The film is a love story but it is also about friendship, betrayal, fun, trust...So I think in terms of the film it is very different from 'Love Aaj Kal'," Deepika said. "The promo has been released two days back and the response has been fantastic. I am glad that people have liked it," she said. About her character in the film, she says, "I play, Veronica, she is a confident girl, she is someone who is self assured, confident about life and the way she conducts herself." For 'Cocktail', Deepika was offered both the roles - one that she is playing and the one played by debutante Diana Penty. "Producer Dinu (Dinesh Vijan) was kind enough to offer me both the roles and asked me to choose the role that I would like to play. I took it as a challenge. "Even Imitiaz suggested me that Meera from 'Love Aaj kjal' is so similar from the other character of this film so it would be interesting for me to play Veronica. It (role) has been challenging for me," she said. PTI