Deepika Padukone's ex-boyfriend Nihar Pandya says that the heartbreak he's had with the actress will help him in his acting

Nihar Pandya, the young aspiring actor who found himself out in the cold, away from Deepika Padukone's life after she got involved with Ranbir Kapoor, has found inspiration to play his part from a most unexpected place Ranbir Kapoor!

Says Nihar, "While I was watching Rockstar, I realised why it was important for me to have gone through what I did (with Deepika) to become a good actor.

No pain, no gain. That's what Ranbir is told in Rockstar, that in order to be a good artiste you have to experience heartbreak. I've felt the pain and now I am ready to show that pain on screen."

Together with his director-friend Prashant Chadha, Nihar is now putting finishing touches to his story of what exactly transpired between him and Deepika and how his life changed after she left him.

Says Nihar, "I'd be lying if I said I've gotten over it. The hurt somehow never goes away. When something like this happens, when the world you built with another person over the years falls apart in less than a month, you begin to question your life and priorities."

Nihar has been providing director Prashant Chadha with inputs on the relationship. They even flew out of the country together recently to work on the script.

Nihar feels it's a story that must be told. "During all these years since it ended I've never spoken about it. So the truth about what really happened is known from only one side. The entertainment industry knows Deepika's side of the truth. I want mine to be known too."

Nihar reiterates the film won't portray Deepika negatively. "I am not going to do a film that will damage her reputation. This is not an autobiography. But there will be many episodes that will be close to my life and heart."

A part of the film may be shot at Anupam Kher's acting school. "That's where it all started. That's where I met Deepika, " says Nihar dreamily. Deepika remained unavailable for comment.

Blast from the past

It was announced in October that Pandya was all set to work in a film based on the relationship between him and his former sweetheart Deepika Padukone.