Imtiaz Ali Clarifies Remarks on Deepika Padukone's 'Cocktail' Casting

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali clarifies comments about Deepika Padukone's casting in 'Cocktail', expressing admiration for the actress and dispelling any notion of his remarks being mean. He highlights the uniqueness of casting Padukone against her then image for Veronica's role, addressing buzz caused by recent viral video.

Renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has addressed recent controversy surrounding comments he made about Deepika Padukone's casting in the 2012 film 'Cocktail'. Sharing a clip from his interview, Ali expressed his deep admiration for Padukone, emphasizing he would never intend harm.

Ali lovingly referred to Padukone as his "dearest and loveliest" friend, assuring that his remarks were never meant to be taken in poor taste. He reaffirmed his respect and affection for the actress, hoping to dispel any misunderstandings that could potentially cause hurt.

The clarification surfaces amidst a viral video where Ali discusses choosing Padukone for Veronica's role, attributing it to her vibrant yet misunderstood personality. Despite breaking from her then image, he believed the role showcased a different facet of her talent. Padukone has yet to respond to Ali's statements.