Getting out of her reverie, she straightens up and adds, "Well, I have had ups and downs in my personal life. But I am a strong person, you know.

I am." Deepika claims that now she shares a comfortable equation with her ex - something that was missing before.

"Today, Ranbir and I understand each other better. We have found a friendship that we didn't have when we dated," reveals the actress.

In fact, Ranbir was one of the people she turned to after her split with Sidhartha. Miffed with reports about her plans to sell her new flat in Prabhadevi after her break up with Sidhartha since it was he who bought it for her, Deepika says, "I haven't been gifted the flat.

I am not selling it either. I have always been financially independent.

I haven't depended on my parents for money since I started working. And hey, Sidhartha and I are still friends.

" Over hot cups of tea, the conversation meanders to her career. We realise that the actress has changed quite a bit from her Om Shanti Om days.

"Farah Khan presented me very well and I thought that this was what every film would be. But I soon realised that I need to work on my strengths and weaknesses," she says.

Her relationships have taught her a few lessons, she reveals but chooses not to talk about them. Deepika feels that when one is single, they have more time for themselves.

"I don't have time to invest in a relationship. I have become a lot more guarded.

And on date, I am totally focused on my career," she smiles. And her career is indeed blooming.

After Cocktail , she will be seen with Ranbir in Yeh Jawani Jai Diwani. Also, we hear that she has been finalised for Chennai Express opposite Shah Rukh Khan and the Ekta Kapoor - Karan Johar venture.

Evading a confirmation on her movie lineup, Deepika simply says, "Today, it's only Cocktail on my mind." "While I did have the choice of playing Diana Penty's role, Imtiaz Ali (the writer) felt that I would suit the role of the other girl, Veronica.

I was confused but Imtiaz drove home his point. It's a very challenging role.

My character has no inhibitions. She hasn't had an ideal childhood but isn't apologetic about it.

She seeks attention and gets it. She is very comfortable in her skin.

That doesn't make her a bad person. She enjoys partying and having her drink," she continues talking about the film.

She reveals that there is a Veronica in her too. "Definitely not the ultra-glam attires that my character dons or the way she drinks, but I do visit nightclubs and dance.

And I don't pretend to be what the society wants me to be. Isn't it normal for a girl my age to do that?" says the 26-year-old.

Isn't finding a willing ear in her ex Ranbir after the split with Sidhartha not a natural thing too? "I am not someone who shows her emotions very easily," comes the reply. "I am strong.

But yes , Ranbir is a friend and he will always be there for me," Deepika signs off (less)