Rashmi Nigam bowled over by Deepika's performance

Actress Rashmi Nigam says she has become a fan of Deepika Padukone, who according to her was "simply fabulous" in the role of a daughter in "Piku".
"I am a big fan of Kareena but now there has been a change. Now I like Deepika because she has gone beyond everybody's expectations. She has transformed into an actress of true talent and great beauty," Rashmi, who was in Bengaluru for a launch event organised by Swipe Technologies, told PTI.
"Deepika was simply fabulous in the role of a daughter in 'Piku', megastar Amitabh Bachchan being her co-star. To see her in 'Piku' playing the role of a daughter was very heart-warming," Rashmi, who acted in Madhur Bhandarkar's "Heroine", said.

"Deepika is capable of doing a a very glamorous role and a role of daughter. To me she is a multi-faceted heroine."
Asked what inspiration she would like to draw from Kareena and Deepika, Rashmi, said "I would like to get the spunk of Kareena. She is just spunky and she just lights up the screen, and the rawness of Deepika as an actress is just beautiful," she said.
On Bhandarkar's upcoming movie "Calendar Girls", Rashmi said she would watch the screening of the film at Mumbai on September 27.

Asked if Bhandarkar has approached her with an acting offer, Rashmi said, "I am still waiting. I have been told there will be soon. He clearly hasn't worked with any actor twice, so let us see. I am hoping to do a film with him. Any woman would like to work with a director like Madhur Bhandarkar."

On the controversy surrounding "Calendar Girls" in Pakistan, Rashmi said, "There has to be freedom of expression because it hurts the art form."
The country has reportedly banned the movie over a controversial dialogue delivered by actress Avani, who plays a model hailing from Lahore.