Mumbai: Director of Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone starrer 'Pathan', Siddharth Anand, said that Deepika is a bonafide action star. Deepika, who plays a spy in the movie, is able to pull off action and sultry with equal ease, IANS reported.
Siddharth said he has a liking for femme fatale in movies.
He said, "There is nothing more cool or sexy than a woman wielding a powerful weapon on screen. As a film-buff, I had always loved women doing sick action sequences, and so, when we got Deepika Padukone in 'Pathaan', we wanted to present her in her most badass self - a gorgeous, gun-toting, femme fatale spy that people have never seen before!"
Recalling a sequence from the film, the director related, "In one of the action sequences of 'Pathaan', Deepika wields the gatling gun, and you have to see the sequence to believe how legit she is as a bonafide action superstar! She steals the show in this scene, and I'm sure people will cheer the loudest for her every time she does action in 'Pathaan'."
"Pathaan' marks Shah Rukh Khan's return to the silver screen after four years. The movie, also featuring John Abraham in a pivotal role, is set to release on big screens on January 25 in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
For months, the movie has been making headlines in various ways. After the masses welcomed the teasers and trailers (both featuring a shot of "YRF Spy Universe" and video songs, the expectations for the film have been soaring high.
Also, BJP and far right-wing factions have raised against the film for one of its songs featuring Deepika donning a saffron bikini, and the song has the title "Besharam Rang". Right-wingers had alleged that the song hurt Hindu religious sentiments and demanded "corrections". Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said that the government would consider whether to screen the movie in the state, suggesting a ban.
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi advised BJP members not to make "unnecessary comments" on movies and those related to the industry.