Deepika Padukone will have a dream Bollywood debut – in the biggest film of the year and opposite the biggest star. When SRK signed her up to play the female lead opposite him in his home production Om Shanti Om she coyly said:

"I've grown up watching Shah Rukh Khan and never really imagined that one day I will get to play the lead opposite him."

Om Shanti Om is a reincarnation story that spans several decades and is initially set in Bollywood of the 70s.

Om (SRK) a humble junior artiste marries his love (Deepika Padukone) but meets an untimely demise shortly thereafter. He is, however, immediately reincarnated.

The story then moves to the present times and dwells on how Om, haunted by the memories of his past life and love, attempts to solve the mystery of his death and reunite with the love of his past life, a task complicated by the fact that his love, now much older than him, does not believe he is who he claims to be.

The film is now largely complete and slated for a release in late 2007.

Recalling her experience on the sets of the film Deepika told, "Shah Rukh is a wonderful person. Every day, every minute of the shoot, he lived up to that persona and the 'King Khan' tag that he carries."

Deepika hinted at a continued association with SRK's Red Chillies Entertainment saying, "Shah Rukh and Farah will always be there to support me and guide me in the future."

The daughter of former badminton ace Prakash Padukone may be new to Bollywood, but is not new to showbiz. Besides having modeled for Liril, Close Up and Limca she has acted in the Kannada film, Aishwarya.

It is not surprising therefore that she takes rumors of a budding romance with Ranbir Kapoor, her co-star in Yash Raj Film's next, in her stride.

"Being a known face, I guess it's just a habit to hear reports trying to intrude in your personal life. You do tend to get prepared for such things. As long as my family and people who matter to me are by my side, nothing else matters,"