Deepika is a friend says Farhan Akhtar

Ranbir and Deepika ’s variable love story has been the chat of Bollywood. And now there is a twist in the tale. Rumour mills are abuzz with talk of Deepika’s growing closeness to Farhan Akhtar, her co-star in Karthik Calling Karthik. The much-married Farhan refuses to comment on Ranbir and Deepika. “What’s going on between them is completely between them. It’s their personal connection and I am nobody to remark on that,” he says.

According to Farhan, there’s nothing to clarify about his amity with Deepika. “Nobody suspects when I SMS my movie director or my director of photography. But somehow, if you SMS your co-actor, people start raising eyebrows. I don’t get affected by it as people will say what they have to say,” says Farhan. Farhan and Deepika bonded well while shooting for Karthik Calling Karthik. And the director has a sweet message for his buddy.

“The fact that we had a huge time making this film and that we struck a great friendship should not be lost. I hope it doesn’t affect her just as it doesn’t affect me. I look forward to meeting her each time we do meet,” he says.

Farhan Akhtar’s motorcycle diaries

Farhan Akhtar has developed a passion for motorcycle riding after learning to ride a bike for the first time for his home invention Karthik Calling Karthik. He turns 36 in January. Better late than never, we think.”Most young people in their teens love riding bikes. I made a promise to mom (Honey Irani) that I wouldn’t drive bikes. Her two brothers had been involved in a major car disaster and she didn’t want me to be involved in one. I never felt the need to drive a bike. Maybe, because I gave mom my word.”

My first major vehicle was not a bike – but a Fiat car at 20 (I have a Range Rover today). I gave the exams and got my driving certificate. Here too I was late — while my friends had learnt how to drive cars by 16 I got my license at 20.”In Karthik Calling Karthik, my character initially lacks self-confidence. It is only after riding a bike that he gains confidence. He sees himself on a bike. That’s when I learnt to ride a bike. We got a cruiser bike, I got a learner’s license and every day for a month, would ride for a couple of hours close to midnight at the Bandra-Kurla complex with Zubin, a dear friend.”

I really look forward to a time when I can ride my bike again (co-producer and buddy Ritesh Sidhwani gifted it to him) but I do it at late night when roads are more clear. I love riding bikes now. Mom is also more relaxed as she knows I will never drive rashly.”

New Man in Deepika's life!

We heard about her break story with Ranbir Kapoor. We also heard about the fact that these days Deepika Padukone is keeping herself busy with her work in order to keep the memory of her broken heart away. But, we haven't heard as yet about Deepika's new man in her life. Well, here is the story.

According to reliable sources, after her break-up with Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone has got close to another co-star. This time the name happens to be that of director turned actor Farhan Akhtar. Sources say that the two have got really close during the making of the film KARTHIK CALLING KARTHIK.

Our source adds, "Deepika's break-up with Ranbir happened while KARTHIK CALLING KARTHIK was still being made. Since Farhan is her co-star, the two really bonded well to the extent that it seems Farhan is the special person in Deepika's life."

Well, though the actors haven't been spotted together, we wonder whether the two stars will accept or deny this new development.

Farhan Akhtar mobbed in Kanpur

Farhan Akhtar was mobbed at an awards function in Kanpur recently. As a result, the Rock On!! star had to be locked inside a room for over an hour till the crowds dispersed. The director-actor was attending the Madhavrao Scindia Awards ceremony where he was honoured for outstanding performance in cinema.

Says a source close to Farhan, “At the event there were intellectuals, industrialists and politicians. But the situation turned chaotic as there were many young people in the audience. They became quite excited after seeing Farhan and charged on to the stage.” Says Farhan, “There was a crowd but one manages to get over such things.

It was a novel situation, I haven’t been locked inside a room before!He points out, “It becomes more awkward at such events when I am asked to sing impromptu. After Rock On!! wherever I go, people expect me to break out in song and it’s hard to do that. ‘Kuch ek-do line gaa lijiye’ they say but I feel awkward to sing randomly like that. Fortunately, they didn’t ask me to sing in Kanpur.”