Taking charge of her sporty lineage, actor Deepika Padukone will now be seen in a motivational campaign for London Olympics next year. The actor, who recently shot the campaign, says that it “aims to encourage our nation to support all the athletes” for the sporting extravaganza.
Confirming the news, Deepika says, “I finished shooting the promotional campaign for the Olympics. It’s meant to motivate all our athletes—not from any particular sport.” The actor’s campaign has come through in collaboration with Sports Development Corporation.
Deepika, who is badminton legend Prakash Padukone’s daughter, has played the sport at state level. “I think the media will also help a lot in supporting and motivating Indian athletes. That’s what our sportsmen need right now,” she feels.
Ask the actor if she plans to attend the Olympic events next year, and she says: “I want to go for it. But I haven’t seen the event itinerary yet. So, I don’t know what’s happening when. But I would love to go and watch some of our athletes perform.”
Not many know that Deepika is also a board member of the Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), an organisation that is dedicated to training Indian athletes for the prestigious competition next year. “A lot of our athletes are training at the moment for the Olympics. The build-up is very exciting as we are nearing the event,” she says.
Talking about sports and athletes, Deepika’s father has openly supported the contentious Sports Bill along with some other sportsmen. Ask the actor what she stands for and she’s quick to support what is best for the country and its sportsmen.
“I don’t know the details of the bill, but people who are a part of it, including my father, have achieved a lot for our country in their respective fields. They are all highly respectable sportsmen, who obviously want the best for Indian sports and our country. So, I would definitely support it,” says the Love Aaj Kal (2009) actor, who is also the face of the Force India F1 Team.
source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Tabloid / by Prashant Singh / Hindustan Times, Mumbai / December 20th, 2011