Deepika Padukone and Diana Penty’s chemistry as friends in the Homi Adjania directed film Cocktail was so easy that you felt that they weren’t performing on screen. As Cocktail completed 8 years, we found a heartfelt note penned by Diana Penty on Deepika’s personal website.
Cocktail starred Saif Ali Khan in the lead role and the two women had equally important roles despite that being Diana’s debut film. One of the reasons why Diana is known in the film circuit today is because of that film which was a good enough one as a launch vehicle.
Diana was all heart as she penned a note,
“Deepika Padukone was one of my firsts. As my first co-actor in my first ever film, she made quite an impact, allaying my fears and giving me a memorable initiation into a world I had no clue about. It’s important to remember that I was young, a professional model, who was suddenly plunged into a new universe that was filled with so many unknowns. Deepika had many films under her belt by then, a rising star and yet she was so warm, with a smile that always made you feel welcome and part of the crew.”
She further added, “I remember on one of the very first days of shoot, which was in London, I was sitting alone in my hotel room when I received a message from Deepika asking me to join her for dinner. When I met her later that evening, I realized that Saif, Homi, Dinoo and a few others were there… she went out of her way to make me feel included. We soon became 2 DP’s in the same pod! I learnt from her too – always the consummate professional, Deepika’s discipline was exemplary… She was never late for shoots and no matter when we packed up, she would always find a way to make it to the gym among many other things. I also remember watching in jaw dropping awe, how she transformed herself into Veronica, a character that was not anything like her personally. I truly was blown away.”
“I am still blown away when I see her transform into the many memorable characters she has created on screen and just how brave she has been both personally and professionally. Her smile still remains just as warm and to me she will always be the Veronica to my Meera.”
To cherish the movie and her character, Deepika changed her name on social media to Veronica and this movie will always hold a special place in all our lives.
Diana went on to act in films like 'Happy Bhaag Jaayegi' which was a hit, but not the sequel Happy Phir Bhaag Jaayegi. While Diana also had a film like 'Parmanu' opposite John Abraham which was a hit, she also did flops like Lucknow Central as well as 'Khandani Shafakhana' with Sonakshi Sinha.
Diana will be seen next in the Dinesh Vijan produced film 'Shiddat' as it is a homecoming of sorts. The film was to be released earlier on an OTT platform, but the deal fell through. Dinesh had also produced 'Cocktail'.
