Nihar is just a friend: Deepika Padukone

Model Deepika Padukone plays down rumours of a romance.

Tongues have been wagging about model Deepika Padukone who's been spotted with Nihar Pandya in Mumbai's party circuit, but the lady herself insists he's "just a good friend".

Not much is known about Nihar, who is studying through correspondence and is said to have done a couple of TV commercials. But the sultry lass doesn't hide her affinity with the man. "We met at Anupam Kher's acting academy a year ago and have been friends ever since. I don't want to say much about the relationship we share."

However, Deepika, who turned 20 in January, says she was thrilled when Nihar threw a surprise birthday party for her. "It was one of the best birthdays I've celebrated. Nihar had organised everything and invited all my friends over at a restaurant in Juhu. I didn't have a clue about what was happening. But it was a wonderful surprise because all my friends were there," says the model who has been signed as the International face for Maybelline.

Deepika has just completed shooting for a Kannada film titled 'Aishwarya' and says she considering some Bollywood projects as well. "I am keen to do commercial films first and then try some experimental roles," she  says.

Having taken a month-long break for her BA exams, she is still busy shooting for commercials and working on her diction. "I will start work from next month," she says. Ask her whether she's keen to do a commercial with Nihar and she quips, "If it's a good project we'll think about it."