On the move, in style

It’s not unusual to hear Bollywood actresses talk about their movies, their tastes in fashion and their fitness and beauty mantras. But technology? Priyanka Joshi chats with Deepika Padukone even as the actor logs on to Yahoo, her most-frequented online site, and chats about how she greatly depends on technology. We observe her closely while she takes us on an online tour of some of her favourite sites and what she likes to surf for on the Internet, whenever she gets time from her hectic schedule

Do you really find time to surf the web regularly?
I have to try hard to find time but I have to check my mails. I am obsessed about mails, even if that means spending just a few minutes every day to send a picture that I want to share with my boyfriend or drop in a line to my friends or parents in Bangalore.

As far as surfing is concerned, on work days I get hardly any time but on my day off from shootings, I update myself with what’s happening around.

Since you don’t get time to spend on the Internet, how do you manage to get your daily dose of information online?
It’s easiest when you can get mail, news, videos, music and chat in a single window. It saves a lot of time. I have been using Yahoo for a while now and in its latest avatar the webpage aggregates my mail, my videos, news from world of sports, latest film reviews and chat.

I have tried other web-pages too and they too have a summative view of content that I like to access. However, since I am more familiar with Yahoo pages, it’s easier for me to log on here. Also, last year, I was the most searched celebrity on Yahoo and so, in that sense, I do have a personal connect and ease with the brand.

How often do you log on to social networking sites?
I am obviously aware of Facebook and Twitter but I am not on them yet. I don’t see why I would get on them anytime soon. I know Twitter is very popular nowadays and many celebrities use it as a networking tool. But I prefer to remain connected with my friends through my mobile phone and emails.

When do you log on?
I love to read online reviews. It’s especially interesting to read opinions of people who have watched your films. At the moment, I’m busy checking out reviews of Wake Up Sid and my own film, Love Aaj Kal. I enjoy reading blogs that discuss my movies and work, and in that sense, I think it’s always important for me to log on to the Net.

Would you call yourself a gadget-savvy person?
I don’t think I will classify myself as a gadget geek but I know everything about the gadgets that I use. I am shifting into a new house soon. I am on the lookout for a nice home theatre, so I’m researching a lot. None of my gadgets are purchased as hasty decisions. They’re always bought after thorough research and feedback.

How would you grade your Internet routine?
I am an above-average user as far as Internet usage is concerned. This includes spending close to two hours of surfing when I have the time or searching for specific information online. I even have friends who spend hours on the web. I regularly have video chats with my cousins who are in the US and with my parents too. I also bought a laptop with an integrated webcam and speakers to enable me to have video chats easily.

Since Ranbir (Kapoor) and I travel a lot, it becomes easy to keep in touch with him through the Internet and video chats.

And how many times in a day do you search for news, gossip about yourself?
I don’t search for my name online but I look for restaurant numbers and information about places online. Honestly, I don’t like to read about what’s written about my personal life. I avoid such blogs.