Deepika is excellent; look test was not to doubt her professionalism: Majid Majidi

Mumbai: Celebrated Iranian director-screenwriter Majid Majidi is making a film based on India named ‘Beyond The Clouds’ in which Shahid Kapoor’s younger brother Ishaan Khattar plays the male lead. The Oscar-nominated filmmaker made headlines when Deepika Padukone’s look test pictures for the film went viral and her not being cast for the part.

While talking to a leading daily, Majidi clarified that he never questioned Deepika’s acting skills or professionalism.

“My producers tell me that Deepika had shown some interest in the beginning and it is because of that, that I wanted her to be part of my movie… And when I asked her for a look test, it was not to doubt her professionalism. She is an excellent actress. But how much she befits the role, that is in my vision, I wanted to see. Let me tell you though, that the circumstances were such that they weren’t favourable and nothing materialised of it,” he said.

The role finally went to Mollywood actress Malavika Mohanan.

When quizzed about him choosing novices over seasoned actors, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker said, “I work with professionals in my movies. If you see my films, I pick up people randomly from the actual habitat. In my movie, if there is an old lady or a young man, a small child, if I picked them before they had ever seen the lens (of a camera), they come out as natural actors and I get the maximum out of them."