Ranveer Singh has denied reports that he is dating Deepika Padukone. The actors, who are currently shooting Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Ram Leela, have been the focus of media speculation after they were spotted together in a nightclub. In an interview, Singh said of Padukone: "I am not dating her. Bhansali wanted us to develop a comfort level, as the film we are doing is a passionate and intense love story. And while working on it, I grew fond of her.

"I come from a family where people are physically affectionate. Hugging and kissing comes naturally to me. It is a very casual thing. As I said, I am fond of her. I enjoy her company thoroughly. We do what normal youngsters do. Grab a coffee or go for a film... But we usually have common friends with us. "She is a very attractive girl. In fact, she is gorgeous. I am attracted to her for sure. Even before I worked with her, I was attracted to her. I always thought she was hot."  Singh, who recently claimed Padukone was the perfect Juliet for Ram Leela, went on to describe the experience of working with director Bhansali.

"He pushes your limits and makes sure you are better than your best! On the sets, he is not happy with anything less than magic. He is temperamental. But then so are most creative people. The best part about working with him is that he involves the actors in the making of the film." The film marks Bhansali's first directorial venture since Guzaarish in 2010 and Saawariya in 2007. The director's biggest hit was Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, which led to a much-publicised off-screen romance between the film's two stars Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Ram Leela has been described as a Gujarati retelling of Romeo and Juliet.