'I hate that Deepika is an actress'

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Did your off-screen chemistry enhance your performance?

Ranbir: There's a very fine line between the real and reel. I think what you do in real life is separate. I don't think that just because you're a couple in real life it enhances your performance on screen.

Deepika: For me, personally, yes it helps. I'm far more comfortable working with him compared to my other co-stars.

Ranbir, who are your top five onscreen pairs?

Ranbir: Raj Kapoor and Nargis. Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha. My parents Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh. Shah Rukh and Kajol. And me and her.

Would you like to comment on Nargis and Raj Kapoor as a couple, both onscreen and off it? Also, what kind of a relationship do the Dutts and Kapoors share today?

Ranbir: Off screen, I wouldn't like to comment on it, as I don't know the facts. When they were on screen, they could burn down screens with their sheer passion. It was lovely to watch them, as there was no ego or negativity. They only oozed goodness, which was always accepted by the audience. Their love was simple -- only about feelings and emotions. I respect Sanjay [Dutt] sir a lot, and his two sisters -- Namrata and Priya -- tie rakhi to my father. So we are very much in touch.

And speaking of family, how did your parents react to your relationship?

Ranbir: They are extremely normal. If I have a girlfriend and she has a boyfriend, they respect that. We are starting out a career, and we are not thinking about the future too much. It's not that we haven't discussed marriage but that's at a later point in time. We are enjoying our time together and we are happy.

Deepika: Our families knew way before it appeared on newspapers and television. It is very important for our families to know what's happening in our respective lives.

Ranbir: We are actors and we get written about. So it is important for them to know what's happening before it gets written. Of course, they see their child happy and they are happy.

When did you meet them?

Ranbir: I have met her parents [Prakash and Ujwala Padukone] even before I had known her. They were in Mumbai and lunching at Royal China and even I happened to be there with my family.    

Deepika: I have met them [Rishi and Neetu Kapoor] a couple of times and then I have worked with uncle in Imtiaz's film. And while I was shooting with uncle in London, aunty had accompanied him. And that's where I got to spend some time with them. I have gone out for dinner with them a couple of times in Mumbai.

When did you first kiss?

Ranbir (straight-faced): Not kissed yet.

Deepika (maintains a dignified silence before adding): We told you we never kissed.

Ranbir: I was meeting her after a month at the Bangkok airport. I just hugged her and gave her a peck. I didn't realise there were cameras around. The news channels made a big deal out of it, and it was kind of hard. We are private people and it's hard to see that moment repeatedly being flashed on screen. It was weird, wrong and unfair.

Tell us about the first gifts that you exchanged.

Deepika: He bought me a piano. I haven't started taking lessons yet, as I want to make sure that I have some free time and I also get a nice tutor. I'm really fond of music. During one of our conversations, I had generally mentioned that I would love to learn playing the piano and the guitar. The next thing I know is that a brand new piano is sitting there in my new house.

Ranbir: She bought me a MacBook Air. She buys me clothes and she got me an ultra-cool pair of golden shoes [from Bangkok], which she feels looks cool on me. But I'm a little shy to wear them when she is not around.  

Deepika: But you have really used them. Every time I was in a mall [in Bangkok] I would stop looking for myself and start looking for stuff for him at the men's section. The gold shoes are at least better than that ugly pair of Timberland shoes.

Do you make Deepika sing for you?

Ranbir: I really have to coax her to sing. But whenever we are in the car, she hums along with the track that's playing in the music system. She has got a very melodious voice and she should pursue it.

What games do you both play?

Deepika: I prefer badminton.

Ranbir: She kicked my a*** in badminton once. I had ventured out to play with her and she, being the great Prakash Padukone's daughter [had beaten me]. I was in my trainers and bandana, warming up to play.

Deepika: He was literally doing ankle rotations.

Ranbir: She beat me 11-0.

Deepika: Poor thing, he didn't have the stamina to pull through.

Ranbir: I was struggling and panting to play and she was doing her ballet and literally gliding in the air.

Deepika: No, I haven't ever challenged him at soccer. He doesn't play very often, but he is really good at it.

Finally, what are the things that you hate about each other?

Ranbir: That she is an actress.

Deepika: He tries to please everyone and can't say 'no'.

And love?

Deepika: I like the fact that he is not a complicated person. I like his simplicity. He is also very patient.

Ranbir: The best part is that there is no negativity in her. When I'm with her, I am surrounded by goodness. It makes me good in some way.

In the picture: A still from Bachna Ae Haseeno.

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