Deepika Padukone is a brave actor, says Kareena Kapoor Khan

Back in 2009, when Imtiaz Ali cast Deepika Padukone in Love Aaj Kal over Kareena Kapoor Khan (who had starred in his last film, Jab We Met; 2007), it marked the beginning of an alleged rivalry between the two actresses. However, this rumour was quashed soon after.

Then, earlier this year, both the stars were in the news again when Deepika replaced Kareena in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela.

Although Deepika bagged the part, and later, a lot of praise from critics, Kareena remains unperturbed. In fact, she's full of praise for the young star. "Deepika is talented, and she continues to do good work. I have seen her work. She is a brave actress, and that's a good sign because I like brave actors," says Kareena, who has "never regretted" not doing Ram-Leela.

"In fact, I have never regretted not doing any film. Deepika deserves every bit of this success… she has worked really hard to get where she is. My only advice (to her) would be, 'Enjoy every moment,' because that's just the way it goes."

Clearing the air over a report from last week that claimed that Deepika had replaced Kareena in Shuddhi, she says, "I think Karan Johar (producer) clarified it immediately. I have no idea where that came from. There's no truth to it at all. The film has just been delayed due to (co-star) Hrithik Roshan's illness."

Although Kareena feels that the "delay has only given me time to work on other films" and that "Hrithik's health is more
important than a film", rumours suggest that she called up Karan angrily when she read the story about being replaced by Deepika. However, Kareena laughs it off, saying, "I didn't call Karan; he called me up because I don't even read (these stories). I am like, 'Let people write.' But he said, 'No, let me tweet.' I said, 'Whatever you want.'"

First Published: Dec 23, 2013 11:07 IST