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Deepika: With Ranbir, past doesn't come into play at all

Deepika Padukone is enjoying her moment in the sun.

While her new film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani -- opposite former flame Ranbir Kapoor -- is currently generating a lot of buzz, she will be seen opposite rumoured beau Ranveer Singh in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's opulent Ram Leela and as Tamil superstar Rajinikanth's leading lady in the ambitious Kochadaiyaan later this year.

In this interview with Subhash K Jha, the actress talks about her new film.

What's it like being part of Ayan Mukerjee's Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani (YJHD)?

It's different from Ayan's Wake Up Sid, and will prove his versatility. He has kept the romance real and yet, it is a fantasy. It's an entertaining film.

'There was a great comfort level'

How was it working with Ranbir Kapoor?

Great! We started our careers on the same day -- he debuted with Saawariya and I debuted with Om Shanti Om. To be working with him post-Barfi and Cocktail is different from working with him in Bachna Ae Haseeno, when we were both relative newcomers.

What is it like working with Ranbir after your breakup?

The past doesn't come into play at all. We focus on the work at hand. It's a lot of fun because Ranbir, Ayan and I are friends. Ayan has seen Ranbir and me together. So there was a great comfort level.

'Omar Abdullah was very humble and unaffected'

You recently shot in Kashmir for YJHD?

Yes, it was my first visit to Kashmir. It's paradise. The people are so warm and hospitable.

Apparently, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met you, Ranbir and Ayan in Kashmir.

Yes, he did. We were happy to have a meal with him. He was very humble and unaffected. I could listen to him speak for hours.

You headed straight to Rajasthan after Kashmir.

Yes, from Kashmir I flew straight to Udaipur for Ram Leela. So from a freezing Kashmir to a summery Udaipur, from the breezy Ayan to a passionate SLB (Sanjay Leela Bhansali). I had to pack two different sets of clothes in two different suitcases and acclimatize myself immediately from one kind of filmmaking to another.

But it's great. I am so happy to be working with such different directors. I can't wait to see what the rest of the year has in store for me.

'I'm glad I'm working with so many amazing directors'

Are you too busy to have fun?

I am having fun working and enjoying every moment of it. My hands are full with projects for the entire next year.

As an actress in Bollywood, do you you think you get enough substantial roles?

Yes, I get a fair amount of choices. There are so many kinds of films being made, and therefore so many roles. The year 2012 was an amazing year for cinema and this year seems equally exciting.

Any directors on your wish list?

I wished to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and it happened. It's a dream come true. I never expected it would happen so early in my career.