14th Mar 2008 . Bollywood’s most talked-about newcomer is on a roll. She has now signed a romantic comedy to be produced by Sajid Nadiadwala.

There has been no looking back for Deepika Padukone ever since she made her Bollywood debut last year in Om Shanti Om . She has clinched plum offers from big production houses that will see her costarring with actors like Saif Ali Khan and Ranbir Kapoor .

Now, Deepika has signed director Sajid Khan’s (of Heyy Babyy fame) next film that will have three heroes and three heroines. 

Akshay Kumar will be one of the leading men and Deepika will be paired with him. Reports have it that Sajid Khan met Deepika in Bangkok and offered her the role in his film. She readily accepted it after hearing the story.

Sajid’s good friend Ritesh Deshmukh will also be part of the film. Sajid is yet to finalize one more hero and two more heroines.

How did your romance with Ranbir begin?
We met while we were shooting for our respective debut films (Om Shanti Om and Saawariya). At that point of time it was very different because he hadn’t been in the limelight at all. It was a completely new thing for him whereas I was used to it, having been a model. 

We were both very involved with our films then. So we didn’t really get too much time to spend with each other. We went our separate ways after our movies were released and we just disconnected. Then we got together again when we were doing Siddharth’s (Anand, director) movie (Yash Raj Films). We were together for a month and that’s when it started. 
 
Was there any attraction even when you two had met earlier?
Yes, we got along well even then. But we didn’t get too much time to be in a relationship. We thought ‘let’s not rush into anything’. We are young and we both have our careers to pursue. We also knew that at some point we would be working together and there would be enough time to get to know each other. 

How does it feel being in love?
It’s a fantastic feeling. He is very caring. I am glad that I am finally in a relationship where my man loves me so much and for what I am. Also, when we met again, so much had already happened in our respective lives. We came from two different spaces. But we connected. The fact that both our families are also happy about this relationship makes it easier.  

What do you think of his parents?
They are wonderful. His mum (Neetu Kapoor) is very sweet. Kapoors are loving people. They are all foodies. It’s another thing common between us. He loves to see me eating the way I do, because the other women he knows are always picking on ghas phoos. 

Since he comes from a filmi background, do you seek his advice?
He is everything to me. He is someone I can talk to about everything and that’s the beauty of our relationship. Actually, I prefer not to discuss work with him as after a long day it would get too much. We enjoy doing a lot of other things and spend as much time with each other as we can. Yeah, I can ask him for suggestions because he would know better about this industry. 

Did you like the towel dropping scene in Saawariya?
(Blushes) I have seen the movie. In fact, I watched the movie with him in Sydney. I saw the song and I think it’s cool. I keep teasing him that he’s become a gay icon.

Even the girls are hankering after him now. Does that make you feel possessive?
No. I know I am dating a good boy. 

Are you worried you won’t get enough for each other, given your busy schedule?
Looking back, Siddharth’s film eventually turned out to be a relaxed holiday. And after coming back we did a soft drink ad together. So in all, we have spent two to three months together now. After that, I got busy with Nikhil’s film. Ranbir was supposed to be busy too with the Yash Raj film but since Katrina’s (Kaif) portion got deleted, he has some free time now. But once he starts working too, we will try and find some time with each other. 

Your film Om Shanti Om has a dialogue to the effect of, ‘when you want something badly; the whole universe conspires to get it for you...’
(Smiles) Agar aap kisi cheez ko dil se chaho toh poori kaynath tumhe usse milaneki koshish me lag jati hai. And we keep saying this to each other all the time! The first time we met we were really fond of each other. But work drifted us apart. However, if two people are meant to be together, they will be together, no matter what. I believe in destiny. 
 
You are lucky. He is a sweet boy.
When you meet him, please tell him I am a sweet girl. Actually, both of us have been brought up in similar homes. His parents (Rishi and Neetu Kapoor) are celebrities and my dad (ex-badminton player Prakash Padukone) is a celebrity in his own way. But our parents have given us a normal upbringing. We were not treated as celebrities. We both got pocket money and had to adhere to deadlines. That kept us grounded and that’s the reason we get along so well.

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