Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor in "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" (Facebook)
Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor in "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" (Facebook)

Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor in a candid confession said that unlike his contemporaries with whom he keeps up a friendly competition, he is a bit intimidated by his "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' co-star and ex-girlfriend, Deepika Padukone.

"I always expected from Deepika to reach very high levels, but I had no idea that she will become such a fine actress so soon. She is the first actress in front of whom I am a bit intimidated," Ranbir told IANS.

Directed by Ayan Mukerji and Poduced by Karan Johar, "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' (YJHD) is Ranbir-Deepika's first movie post their breakup in 2009. The duo had last shared screen space in 2008 release "Bachna Ae Haseeno".

Speaking about Deepika's career growth, Ranbir said, "I felt like she was not doing what I expected her to do. That constant surprise was a good feeling. I know her so well. I know her advantages as well as disadvantages. She has turned her disadvantages into advantages. So, I am very happy for her."

Moving onto other things, Ranbir said he shared a friendly relationship with other actors of his generation. "We are curious... but we are all friends. We don't sit and bitch or gossip," he said and explained that "cold war" don't exist."

"I don't think there is any cold war. I am fond of all the actors of my generation - be it Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor, Imran Khan, Varun Dhawan - all of us are busy with our work, we don't really meet much. But we try and catch up at award functions and parties."

Ranbir also said there was only friendly and healthy competition between all the actors of his generation.

"There is a friendly, healthy competitive vibe going on. No one wants the other person to not do well. We get happy and jealous when we see a good performance, but we all congratulate each other and encourage each other. I guess it is too early in our careers to have this competition," Ranbir said.