While shooting for the second issue of Harper's Bazaar in Thailand, Deepika Padukone found snakes in quite close proximity. Talking about the snake attack, an ophidiophobic Deepika says, "I have always had a phobia about snakes. I don't mind anything from lizards to insects, but I am terrified of snakes. We were given these fancy villas in the middle of a forest at a resort called The Banyan Tree. I was relaxing outside my room at night when I happened to look down near my feet and saw a huge snake, almost three feet long with it's hood raised, staring at me!"Deepika shudders and says, "It was THE scariest moment of my life. I jumped and screamed loudly. My mom was in her room and came out to see all the commotion was about but by that time the snake had slithered away."
But Deepika prefers to cite the incident as a positive one. She says, "In India, we worship snakes and I feel the fact that I actually saw one was a blessing for me. How many people encounter snakes in real life? It's a very good sign.
It was a privilege shooting for Harper's Bazaar India's second edition. Atul Kasbekar shot some great pictures in Thailand. We'd shoot only in the evenings during sunset so we call it a spa shoot. We would relax through out the day at the spas in our hotel. I took my mum along and spent quality time with her. It was more a holiday than work."
Deepika is always ready for a good cause. Last week, she walked the ramp in a Carolina Herrera dress for Mai Mumbai at the LFW a show put up by Vikram Chatwal and Naomi Campbell to raise funds for the 26/11 victims of the terror attacks.
Deepika says, "I walked the ramp at the last minute as I had to fly to Bangalore for the Bengaluru Marathon press conference. But since it was for the cause Mai Mumbai, I stayed back. The funds are going for 26/11 victims and provide infrastructure like ambulances and first aid so I had to be there. It was a good cause and Mumbai has given me so much."