Deepika Padukone does an Aishwarya Rai in Ram Leela

Deepika Padukone’s recently launched peppy garba number Nagada sang dhol baaje in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Ram Leela is evoking deja-vu. The dance, which has the sensuous actress dressed as a Gujarati belle in red ghagra-choli, instantly reminds one of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s Dholi taro dhol baaje in Bhansali’s 1999- superhit, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. The beats of both songs are identical and Deepika’s ethnic look bears shades of Aishwarya’s.

Although not exactly identical, Deepika has pumped in energy sensually dancing to the beats of the song.

Asymmetrical tattoos on her neck, frizzy hair and a nose ring complete Deepika’s Indian look.

Trademark top angle shots of Bhansali capturing frenzied twirls of the ghagra from above are a highlight of the song, which also features lead actor Ranveer Singh along with Supriya Pathak, who plays the hero’s mother.

Dholi taro had Aishwarya and Salman Khan oozing sizzling chemistry as they teased each other with a friendly banter, while dancing the garba . Nagada sang dhol will be Deepika’s introductory song, in which she comes face to face with the hero for the first time.

Bhansali’s latest film is a contemporary take on William Shakespeare’s Romeo And Juliet , and is based in small- town Gujarat. Nagada sang dhol is sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Osman Mir. Bhansali wanted Deepika to go with the flow of music, so there were no rehearsals for the song and the actress had to be very spontaneous.

" It is a fun song where we had to put in a lot of energy. We had to feel the song and enjoy it like we do when we dance in life without a choreographer. It had to come from within to look real and spontaneous," said Deepika, about her preparation for the song.

Within two days of the launch of the song, it is in the race for the top of the charts. With Navratri mood building up, it has been a timely release. The song could become the garba anthem of the season.