Deepika’s physical limits came when she trained to do her stunts

It isn’t an easy feat for any lissome model-turned-actress to undergo the rigours of learning the martial arts.

Deepika Padukone did just that and more for her role of a spunky Chinese girl in Nikhil Advani’s film Chandni Chowk To China . The movie narrates the tale of an Indian cook’s journey from Old Delhi to China and back. Akshay Kumar plays the lead role.

Since Deepika has a lot of action scenes in the film, she decided to do the stunts herself rather than opt for a body double even though it meant a hard and arduous training for not just weeks, but months.

To start with, Deepika switched to a high-protein diet and began practicing ju-jitsu, a Japanese form of martial arts that involves unarmed combat of an opponent. The term ju-jitsu literally means ‘gentle skill’. Deepika’s training as an athlete (her father is a badminton champ and her sister is a golfer) helped her in learning the martial arts.

But learning the basics of ju-jitsu was just half the battle won. The real test of Deepika’s physical limits came when she trained to do her stunts under Chinese experts who taught her how to balance her body while being suspended mid-air by cables and wires. Deepika also learnt dexterous use of small weapons like knives.

This training of hers lasted about four months. During the film’s shooting her co-star Akshay Kumar also guided her in action scenes.

Though it was taxing on her body, Deepika today doesn’t rue having undergone the tough preparation. Firstly, she has done her stunts in ‘Chandni Chowk To China’ convincingly. Secondly, she got to learn the skills that will remain with her for life.

Guys better think twice before taking panga with her!