Model Diana Penty is all set to maker her debut in ‘Cocktail’ alongside Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone. From the trailers and promo pictures the actress’s acting and looks are already being much appreciated.

But her casting as one of lead ladies of the movie came as a surprise to many. But producer Dinesh Vijan said that Diana Penty was perfect for the role.

“I gave the script to Deepika (Padukone) and asked her to choose between the two roles. Having already played Meera in Love Aaj Kal (2009) she opted for the challenge of playing the hot and wild Veronica. And with Deepika and Saif (Ali Khan) in, we decided this Cocktail needed a fresh ingredient,” he said to HT.

“I was in a rush to leave town, she was in a hurry to go for a photo-session, but at a glance, we felt that despite the perfect smile and polished looks, Diana was the shy, girl-next-door Meera. She has that classic Indian look. After two auditions, both Homi (director Homi Adjania) and I agreed that she was right for the role, even though we had to de-glam her, make her less perfect and more awkward,” he added.

Many have been saying that the movie ‘Cocktail’ resembles the famous comics Veronica-Archie-Betty story but Dinesh denies this.

“Apart from the name Veronica, there’s little in common,” he concluded.

‘Cocktail’ stars Saif Ali Khan as Gautam, a playboy, Diana Penty as Meera, a pretty girl with desi values and Deepika Padukone as Veronica, a spoilt brat, who drinks a lot. The story focuses on these three friends who live under a single roof and how their friendship becomes confusing and complicated.

The movie directed by Homi Adjania is set to release on July 13.