Imtiaz Ali's Light-Hearted Comments on Deepika Padukone Spark Mixed Reactions

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali recently clarified his comments about Deepika Padukone, which were intended as light-hearted humor. Reflecting on their collaboration in the film 'Cocktail,' Ali expressed his admiration for Padukone and emphasized that he never meant to offend her. His remarks sparked mixed reactions online, prompting him to share a heartfelt message on Instagram to ensure there were no misunderstandings. The film 'Cocktail' showcased Padukone in a role that contrasted with her public persona, further highlighting her versatility as an actress. Read on to discover more about this intriguing exchange.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 26, 2026, 15:46 IST

Filmmaker Clarifies Remarks About Deepika Padukone

New Delhi: Director Imtiaz Ali has addressed his previous comments regarding actress Deepika Padukone, clarifying that his remarks about her 'good girl' persona were intended to be humorous.

Ali, who has collaborated with Padukone on films like Love Aaj Kal (2009) and Tamasha (2015), reminisced about their work together on Cocktail (2012), where he contributed as a writer. He noted that her character in the film contrasted sharply with her public image.

The filmmaker's comments elicited a variety of responses online, with some users deeming his remarks unnecessary.

On Monday, Ali took to Instagram to share a clip of his interview, expressing surprise at needing to clarify his statements. He emphasized his affection for Padukone, stating, "My dearest and loveliest @deepikapadukone, you are my pal, my buddy, my safe option for humour. I think you will never misunderstand my wannabe fun remarks because you, more than anyone else, know how much I love you, admire you, understand you, and appreciate you."

He continued, "However, I've been informed that you might take offense, so I want to assure you that was never my intention. To be unkind to you is simply not possible for me."

Ali concluded his message with well wishes, stating, "I never imagined I would need to write such a disclaimer to you, but given the circumstances, I wanted to be cautious. Wishing you all the best and sending love always."

The film Cocktail, directed by Homi Adajania, featured Padukone as Veronica, a vibrant young woman living in London, and her performance garnered significant praise.

The plot centers around a love triangle involving Veronica, Saif Ali Khan's character Gautam Kapoor, a charming flirt, and Diana Penty's Meera Sahni, a more reserved girl from India who moves to London.