Ever since the beginning of her career, Deepika Padukone has shown keen interest in mixing up films that have ranged from being out and out entertainers to the ones that have lent her ample opportunity to allow the actress in her to excel. So for every 'Housefull', she has done a 'Lafangey Parindey' while a 'Love Aaj Kal' has been complimented by a 'Karthik Calling Karthik'. This is the reason why when Deepika decided to do a fun romantic entertainer with Saif Ali Khan in the form of (tentatively titled) 'Cocktail', she also decided to accompany him for a far serious 'Aarakshan'.

"It really meant a lot for me when 'Aarakshan' came my way. I mean here is this film which is trying to bring to fore such an important subject of 'reservation'. There is no added glamour quotient or a romantic track just so that it could be made into a 'masala' affair.

This is the reason why when Prakashji (Jha) spoke about the film to me, I didn't take even a day to revert. I immediately said 'yes'," says Deepika who is working with the 'Raajneeti' director for the first time.

For someone who is believed to have set her eyes on making a definite place for herself in the industry, it seems like quite a journey from a Farah Khan (Om Shanti Om) to a Prakash Jha. "Honestly, this was the kind of route that I had decided for myself at the very start of my career", says Deepika in a confident tone, "It has always been a conscious decision to be able to be part of different kind of cinema. So here I am."