Amid reports of her cosying up to fellow actor Ranveer Singh, actress Anushka Sharma has said she has "genuine fondness" for him whom she calls her "inspiration".

Anushka and Ranveer's love-hate relationship is no secret since they starred together in Maneesh Sharma directed 'Band Baaja Baarat', which went on to become a hit.

"We got to know each other better from Ranveer's debut film, " the actress said ahead of tomorrow's release of 'Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl', directed by Maneesh Sharma under the banner of Yash Raj Production.

"This time it was much better. We did not know each other during 'Band Baaja Baraat', so we couldn't understand each other better.....the way we work and all. This time it was way more comfortable. We understand each other's approach towards a scene, how we work. There is lot more respect for each other, " Anushka told in an interview.

Virtually singing praises for Ranveer, the actress said, " I have a lot of respect for Ranveer, he inspires me. He is so driven as an actor. He is passionate about what he wants to do. I have genuine fondness for Ranveer".

"I think we are very good together when we are on screen. Hopefully, this time also people will appreciate our chemistry. Although I feel chemistry is not created by actors but by script and character, " she said.

Replying to a query on their frequent public appearances together after the release of 'Band Baaja Baraat' Anushka said, "after we had shot 'Band Baaja Baarat', we had to do promotions, then award functions.. be it for receiving them or performing.

So at that time we used to hang out a lot. You could see a lot of us other". When asked about why they are not seen together often in the recent past, the actress replied, "when the film was over we had not much work (to do) so we did not meet up often.

But it was not like we were not seeing or meeting each other. There are so many friends whom I have not met for weeks why talk about us like this".