For her role in Ashutosh Gowariker's Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey

Over the weekend, Deepika Padukone put behind the mulling over Break Ke Baad collections and her caustic comments on Koffee With Karan to get on to her next release Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey.

As this is the star's first step towards essaying a real character in Ashutosh Gowariker's film distinct from her earlier projects she is keenly awaiting it as we ask her...

The film is based on the book Do And Die: The Chittagong Uprising 1930-34 by Manini Chatterjee. Have you read it?
No. I was not even asked to. I have gone completely by Ashu's vision of the subject. I blindly did whatever he told me.

Were you aware of this chapter in the country's freedom struggle?
Not at all. In fact I had not even heard about the Chittagong rebellion till Ashu approached me for the project.

You didn't recollect it from school history textbooks?
It didn't exist in what I studied. There was no mention of the Chittagong Uprising at all. But now I know every detail. It happened on April 18, 1930 in the Bengal province of British India and was led by Surjya Sen and his group.

There were a series of attacks - at the Nangalkote Railway Line at 9. 50 pm, at the Telegraph office at 9. 51 pm, at the Chittagong Cantonment at 9. 53 pm, at the Pahartali European Club at 9. 55 pm. Now I can go on and on about it. . .

This project has been one big history lesson for you...
Yes, it has made me aware about these incidents. If I was living in those times, I'm sure I'd have been a part of the freedom struggle in some way! Now after doing the film, I am surprised that so many people are still unaware of the Chittagong Uprising, about Surjya and his several associates.

History textbooks have just a mention of it, but I feel there has to be an entire chapter on it. It is such an important part of the Independence struggle. People are aware of other revolutionaries but not Surjya Sen. It is shocking how he is overlooked.

How difficult was it to get into the character of Kalpana Dutta?
Ashu had just one picture of Kalpana Dutta as a reference point. She was an educated woman who had studied physics that's what helped her make the bombs. Neeta Lulla has styled me but Ashu knew exactly what he wanted. I was told exactly how to wear the sari and when I should have two plaits or even a single one!

Two plaits must have made concealing the RK tattoo on the nape of your neck a task every time?
As long as no one can see the tattoo, what I do does not make a difference to anyone.

There is also a sequence showing you play badminton!
It is only for a few seconds, in the opening sequence. Badminton was played in those days! At that time, there were no indoor courts, it was only an outdoor game. And the racquets and shuttlecocks were completely different. As I have played the game, it came handy.

On director Ashutosh Gowariker: "I said yes to the project as only Ashu had the sensibility to make such a project with the freedom struggle as the backdrop. " On her co-star Abhishek Bachchan: "I didn't know him till I started shooting for the project. But he was extremely supportive and fun to work with. "