A
self-confessed
die-hard
Rishi
Kapoor
fan,
Deepika
Padukone
had
to
pinch
herself
when
she
met
her
idol,
and
not
as
a
fan
but
Rishi's
son's
girlfriend.
"It's
amazing.
But
in
his
younger
days
my
dad
(badminton
champ
Prakash
Padukone)
was
often
told
that
he
resembled
Rishi
Uncle.
I
grew
up
as
his
big
fan,
have
seen
Karz
and
Kabhi
Kabhie
number
of
times.
When
Ranbir
took
me
to
meet
his
parents,
I
was
re-living
my
childhood
images
of
the
most
compatible
couple
I've
ever
seen
on
screen."
Ranbir's
parents
have
taken
to
their
prospective
daughter-in-law
in
a
big
way.
"Rishi
Uncle
is
so
warm.
As
for
Neetu
Aunty,
she
has
an
aura
of
natural
grace
and
charm
about
her.
She's
very
poised
and
articulate.
I've
met
her
more
than
I've
met
Uncle.
Me
and
Rishi
uncle
are
going
to
be
working
together.
We
had
a
reading
together
recently.
He's
so
passionate
about
cinema.
I've
so
much
to
learn
from
him."
Deepika
is
all
praise
for
the
Kapoor
couple
for
their
children's
upbringing.
"Both
Ranbir
and
his
sister
Ridhima
have
been
brought
up
with
the
right
values.
They
come
from
such
an
illustrious
family.
And
yet
they're
so
down-to-earth.
I
see
many
similarities
between
their
upbringing
and
mine.
Though
both
Ranbir
and
I
were
exposed
to
celebrity
situations
from
childhood,
our
parents
have
made
sure
we're
firmly
rooted
to
reality."
So
is
she
looking
at
a
life
ahead
Ranbir?
"Right
now
we
both
have
our
careers
to
focus
on.
But
we're
both
very
comfortable
in
our
relationship.
Now
that
we've
come
out
in
the
open
about
our
relationship,
our
parents
are
very
happy.
Beyond
that
it's
too
early
to
talk
about
marriage."
Poised,
in
command
and
utterly
confident,
the
22-year
old
answers
charges
of
unfair
conduct
leveled
by
cricketer
Yuvraaj's
mother
with
elegant
aplomb.
"I
really
don't
think
she
said
anything
against
me.
If
she
had
a
grudge
she'd
call
me
up
and
talk
to
me.
I
always
say
that
no
outside
source
can
know
what
kind
of
a
relationship
two
people
share.
I
spoke
to
her
after
the
statements
attributed
to
her
came
out.
I've
always
shared
a
fantastic
rapport
with
her.
She's
a
wonderful
and
strong
person.
I've
learnt
a
lot
from
her.
As
a
woman
and
mother,
I
look
up
to
Yuvraaj's
mother.
She's
a
multi-tasking
mother.
She
has
single-handedly
brought
up
her
two
children.
Yuvraaj
is
doing
extremely
well
for
himself.
And
his
younger
brother
who
has
just
started
out
is
also
doing
very
well
himself.
I
wish
the
family
all
the
best."
Story first published: Monday, March 17, 2008, 15:20 [IST]