Priyanka was my first friend in industry: Deepika Padukone

A face-off is usually expected when two big actresses share screen space but in case of Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, the boat sailed in the other direction.
The two will be seen together for the first time in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama "Bajirao Mastani" and Deepika says she was extremely comfortable shooting with Priyanka as their friendship dates back to the former's initial days in the industry.
"Priyanka is the first film person I ever met when I came to the industry... She was a huge star then. She was the first friend that I made here. We were so comfortable while shooting. It troubled few people (Priyanka mentions Bhansali) because it went against what a lot of people expected," Deepika told reporters here last evening at the film's trailer launch.

"People expected a lot of tension, (about) what clothes we are wearing, who has more dance steps (in 'Pinga' song). Sanjay sir would keep joking (that) why can't you girls fight," she said.
The two stars have shot for a song "Pinga" in the movie, where Kashibai (Priyanka) and Mastani (Deepika) are dancing to celebrate their love for Bajirao (Ranveer Singh).
"We had each other's back when we were shooting the song 'Pinga'. If there were steps that I found difficult, she would encourage me and if she found (something) difficult, I would encourage her. There were days when we both wanted to give up, there were days when we both had same kind of energy. I couldn't have asked for a better partner," the "Piku" actress said.

The song reminds one of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit Nene in the song "Dola Re Dola" from "Devdas" (2002). Deepika, 29, thinks the comparison between the two songs is obvious.

"I understand why there is comparison... As the same director, two heroines dancing together, which is not a very common thing... But the situation in this film is different. Here, it is a song of celebration. We were excited and happy that we got the opportunity to shoot this song together," she added.
Priyanka echos her co-star's views and insists the two songs are different as the scenario in the songs is different.

"I feel both are different and have a different situation and scenario. Obviously comparisons will be there... Two contemporaries working together, dressed in Indian (attire), Sanjay sir's film. See the scenario - Mastani and Kashibai dancing - it's a metaphor for today," she said.
"They (Kashibai and Mastani) come together and celebrate the love for their man and it happens to be the same man," Priyanka said.
The 33-year-old "Mary Kom" actress thinks women should support one another.
"In the song, Kashibai is welcoming Mastani out of courtesy. I think it's a big statement. Just in terms of women empowerment, that women need to support one another," she added.