In his most candid interview with Subhash K Jha ever Ranbir Kapoor breaks his silence on his love life.

You played a football benefit match in Pune earlier this week and scored 4 goals and was declared Man Of The Match?
I've always been passionate about football, though I haven't played much football since school. I went for this one because it was for a good cause. And Salman Khan was also associated with it. About the four goals, I just got lucky, I guess. Our captain was Sohail Khan.

You play a Casanova in the Yashraj Film?
It's called Bachna Ae Haseenon. I wouldn't say that. It's the journey of this man and the different relationships in various phases of my life.

Why was Katrina Kaif's role knocked off?
It was getting too long. We had lots of discussions. And it was in the best interest of the film. But why poor Katrina?
Nothing personal.And it wasn't only because we hadn't shot her episode as yet.

Apparently you get to kiss all your heroines in Bachna Ae Haseenon?
That's absolutely incorrect.

And now you're doing another film with Katrina!
Yes. And I had no hand in it. She was already part of Raj Kumar Santoshi's film when it came to me. It's a lovely romantic comedy. I haven't started pre-production on it.

But I'm looking forward to working with Mr Santoshi who's one of my favourite directors. He's definitely one of the master storytellers of our times. He's worked with my father in Damini. And now it's my turn.

Have you been offered Aamir Khan's Delhi Belly?
Yes, I have. I'm honoured that someone of Mr Aamir Khan's talent wants me to work in his film. We're working on the dates. I'd love to be part of it.

There were rumours that you are in Mani Ratnam's film?
I am, actually. But not in the Abhishek-Aishwarya one. He has contacted me for a film that he wants to do next year. I really want to work with him. I also want to work with Imtiaz Ali, Aditya Chopra, Farhan Akhtar...oh, so many directors. I'm like a kid at a toy store.

You've started looking different?
Have I? I think it's important for every actor to feel like the character he's playing.

Earlier when I was doing Saawariya I feelt boyish like the character. Right now I've to portray a character going through various phases in his life.

So yes, it is a conscious effort to work on my look. Getting that right is twenty percent of the performance.The look helps the audience connect with the character.

You've been linked with a gallery of gorgeous women in the last two years?
I think it's very unfair for the women who are linked so carelessly with me. I can imagine how embarrassing it is for the girl and her family. Very incorrect. Me being linked with Sonam Kapoor was inevitable.

Every time two newcomers do a film together they're supposed to be involved. We've been friends since childhood. She's an amazing girl. Anyone would want her as a girlfriend. But we aren't seeing one another.

So are you seeing somebody?
Yes I am.

Are you seeing Deepika Padukone?
Yes, I am.

How long have you been seeing her?
We've been dating for the past couple of weeks.

Weren't you linked with her earlier also?
I was. But at that time we were just friendly. We weren't seeing each other.

So is this serious?
Do I look like a frivolous person to you? But before you ask, we aren't getting married right away. Let's see where it goes. And neither are we going to sign films just to be together.

She has her career to focus on. I've mine. Coincidentally we started our careers on the same Friday. We've our priorities in place.

Tell me about Deepika.
Beyond all the grace and dignity she projects, she's also very simple and shy. She has simple needs. She's caring. And she respects her family. I really like that. Also she's an independent career woman at just 22.

She's achieved so much in so little time. I'm extremely proud of her achievements. And I'm so happy to be part of her life.

When did you get close to her?
While we were shooting in Australia for a month for Bachna Ae Haseenon. That's when we really got to know each other. Then we shot a Pepsi ad together when we returned to Bombay.

Are you able to be professional with her when the camera is on?
I know when to switch on and off. When Deepika and I are working together I focus only my character. Yes, it helps the chemistry when you like your co-star. When you don't like your co-star that too shows.

Have you met her parents?
Oh yes! They're extremely nice and caring people.

And has she met your parents?
Oh yes. I confide everything in my mother. So there was no way I could be in a serious relationship without my parents knowing.

You've been shooting almost non-stop for your second film. How different is Yashraj from Sanjay Bhansali?
My second director Siddharth Anand is a childhood friend. So it's been a great experience. The script of Bachna Ae Haseenon was so strong that I had full confidence in both the director and his vision. It's shaped up really well.

As for Mr Sanjay Leela Bhansali ...I couldn't even begin to compare the Saawariya experience with Bachna Ae Haseenon. My second film is very different from the first.

How are you choosing your roles?
I haven't really made a chart for how I want to go about my career by instinct. I'm looking for good scripts, meeting interesting directors. Fortunately people seem to have liked me in my first film.

And they've shown a keen interest in casting me. I'm reading a lot of scripts. This is a great time to come into the industry. There're so many new ideas, scripts, directors....I'm happy I'm here.

Your dad has had a kind of retro-revival recently?
Yes, isn't that amazing? I'm extremely proud of my father. He's my favourite actor. And someone I look up to. All I want to do is make him and mom happy.

Finally how does life look to you?
I'm extremely happy about the appreciation I got for my first film. My parents are very proud of me, and that makes me happy. And I'm very happy in my relationship with Deepika. I'm in a very happy place, I want to be this way all the time.