Deepika's dedication for the Rajini film

Even as Deepika Padukone’s Rana co-superstar Rajinikanth was recovering in the hospital, the young actor remained professional and continued her work. She shot for a song and a few solo sequences for 14 to 15 hours a day to wrap up as much as she could.

[ KSR-Deepika at RANA Press Conference ]

"Deepika has shot for about 70 percent of the song. The rest of the number, which is a dream sequence, will be shot with Rajini sir in London. We also shot a few solo scenes with her," says KS Ravikumar, director of Rana. The film’s first schedule came to an end last week.

It is needless to remind that Superstar was admitted to hospital following uneasiness during the first day of Rana's shoot. He was discharged later and was admitted again for he had trouble breathing a few days later.

Ask KS Ravikumar, the director of the mega budget multi-lingual film, if the first schedule was cut short due to illness of Superstar Rajnikant and he shoots back: "No shooting schedule was altered or cancelled. We were only supposed to shoot a song with Deepika."

Speaking of the same, Aishwarya, elder daughter of Rajni, who is taking good care of the superstar in hospital told reporters: "Appa is recovering very well, but is taking complete rest in the hospital." She added that hospitalisation will not affect the schedule of the Superstar's magnum opus 'Raana'.

[ Deepika at RANA Press Conference ]

The second schedule of the multi-lingual film is expected to start in July. "And Deepika will join us again by June end," adds KSR.

Impressed with the professionalism of the lead actress Deepika Padukone, the filmmaker makes it a point to say, "She is a very professional, talented and nice actor, who has been a dream to work with. We are very happy to have wrapped up our first schedule with her."

Deepika Padukone is excited to share the screen space with Rajinikanth for the first time in Rana. The actress says that she would not say it is a dream come true because she never even dreamt of playing the Superstar's heroine.

Deepika will be seen donning a 17th century look with a South Indian touch in the film.