A source from the Rajneeti crew said, “When she is not shooting, Katrina is just by herself or chats with Arjun Rampal.” When we asked Katrina, she retorted, “I don’t even know that Deepika is here. And if she is, why should I invade their privacy?”

The story goes that she flew to Bhopal just to keep Katrina at bay? “Certainly not,” says Deepika. And, though she is too professional to make any comment on Ranbir’s co-stars, her calm demeanour has a way of signalling that she’s secure in her newfound success.

The actress is in a cushy place with a new set of friends like Ayan Mukerji and Vicky Singh, who are common to both Ranbir and her. “I knew Ayan would make a good film when he gave his first narration to Ranbir,” she says. Is she in Vicky’s new film with Ranbir, as is suggested by the trade? “It’s a bit premature to talk about that project,” she says. “Vicky is still undecided on what he wants.

For now, she too has made a promise to herself — she’s a girl in love but she will not gush about Ranbir Kapoor. When she was asked to analyse her superstar-boyfriend, Deepika was very pragmatic in her answers. “I know that I am expected to gush about Ranbir,” she smiles. “However, I believe that people who are closest to a person, must always give them a reality check. I’m aware that Ranbir is a superstar. But, I will always be rational when I speak about him.” 

“I was in London, then Italy for the longest time, so I didn’t get to enjoy the success of my last film Love Aaj Kal,” says the pretty South Indian, her large brandy-coloured eyes dancing. She’s clear though that she now has to move on to her next two releases — Kartik Calling Kartik with Farhan Akhtar and Housefull, both of which will come in 2010. Deepika has also signed Pradeep Sarkar’s gritty thriller to be shot on the streets of Mumbai with Neil Nitin Mukesh. “Producer Aditya Chopra had promised me a film right after Bachna ae Haseeno,” she recalls. “I’m glad Adi remembered that.”

Model-turned-actress has revealed that she plays a bold character in Farhan Akhtar’s forthcoming production Karthik Calling Karthik. “Karthik Calling Karthik is a romantic thriller and my role is quite bold and optimistic in the film as opposite to Farhan’s, which is a very pessimistic one,” Deepika said.

Asked if she preferred Indian or western wear, she said, “Personally, I like Indian dresses, but I am ok with western outfits as well. While choosing a dress, what I see is whether I am comfortable in it or not.” Once a state-level badminton player, the actress is also game for promoting other sports. “I played badminton with Aamir Khan for a cause. I will try to promote other games like athletics and basketball too along with badminton,” added the pretty actress.

A picture of poise, stardom sits easy on the 23-year-old who seems neither overcome nor intimidated by it. Padukone puts this down to her upbringing. "My dad always taught me never to let success or failure affect me."

She is not a fashion victim either. "I don't spend a fortune on dresses or bags etc because I have to run my home and pay my bills," explains Padukone, though she does admit to a shoe fetish.

Remarkably composed and levelheaded for her young years, Padukone does not quite see herself as politically- correct. "I have always managed to put across my point without rubbing anyone the wrong way."

While a lot has been written about beau Ranbir Kapoor and her, she prefers to speak about her work. "We have always been open and honest about our relationship. There is nothing to hide. But I am not going to be giving away any details of our personal life to the media," she asserts.

In the same breath, she dispels all rumours of her objecting to certain actresses as his co-stars. "We read our scripts independently and don't make suggestions about each other's work as co-stars."