Actor Ranveer Singh says that co-star Deepika Padukone is special to him, but at the same time maintains that they are `just friends.`

`Deepika holds a special significance in my life. She is somebody I respect and admire a lot, somebody whom I have grown close to. She is an awesome person, she is somebody for whom I have great amount of admiration,` Ranveer told newsmen.

Since the time Ranveer and Deepika started working on romantic drama film 'Ram Leela', they have been often seen together and there are speculations about their relationship.

`We are friends. We go out and hang out. I go out and hang out with lot of other people as well, but they are not as famous as her... she is a very cool person to hang out with, I thoroughly enjoy her company. We hang out like any other youngsters who are friendly with each other. I have school friends, Arjun Kapoor... and assistant directors etc with whom I go out. I am protective about all my friends,` he said.