Despite a strenuous and demanding work schedule, actor Deepika Padukone is happy and enjoying her stint in Bollywood, where she is keen to make a long-term career, says her father.

“I think she is doing quite well. She is happy.

I don’t think she could have asked for anything more,” legendary badminton player Prakash Padukone said of his daughter, who has already made her mark with hits like ‘Om Shanti Om’ and ‘Bachna ae Haseeno’.

He said the main thing is that the Bangalore girl is enjoying what she is doing, in spite of life being very tough.

“The time...long shoots, schedules. People don’t get to see that [the hard work that goes behind the cameras]. They [audiences] see the final product. I am sure in every field, it’s the same,” said Padukone.

“So it’s a very, very tough life [for Deepika]. Very strenuous, very demanding [and] very tiring. But she is enjoying.

We are happy with that more than anything else.” Asked if Deepika was looking for a longterm career in Bollywood, Padukone said, “I think so; we would like her to.” And did he think of any dream role that he would like his daughter to play? “Not really. I have not thought anything in particular. She has a long way to go,” Padukone, a former All-England and World Cup champion, said. “She is very clear. She knows what she wants to do.....when she has to do”.

He does not know if Deepika is nurturing an ambition to act in Hollywood films.

“Not at the moment. Not that I am aware of. We will leave it to professional managers to handle. Maybe at a later date, if they feel.