Deepika Padukone: Special film had to bring Shahid Kapoor and me together

Besides bringing alive the legend of Maharawal Ratan Singh's valour and Rani Padmini's fierce loyalty to her husband, one of the highlights of Padmavati is the coming together of Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus brings to screen a fresh pair -- one that could have crackling chemistry as can be seen in the song, Ek Dil Ek Jaan, which releases today.

Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor

Padukone, on her part, believes she couldn't have asked for a better film to mark her first collaboration with Kapoor. "Shahid and I have known each other for so many years, but a special film like Padmavati brought us together onscreen," she says.

Padukone thinks Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh is the perfect hero to Ranveer Singh's Alauddin Khilji. "His contribution to this film is irreplaceable. It was important to have a good actor, with a strong screen presence and massive popularity to add to this film. Shahid brought that with him."

It's no mean feat to play Rani Padmini, the Queen of Chittor, who was famed for her unrivalled beauty and the actor admits that she is unusually nervous about her turn. "I can't remember the last time I was so nervous. I think it is the function of the fact that this one is completely different from any of my previous roles. My role is not from the heart or head, it's from the gut."