Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone has sent fans into a frenzy by hinting at a potential return to the romantic comedy genre. The actor, during an intimate fan meet in Mumbai, revealed she has actively discussed doing a rom-com with former co-star Ranbir Kapoor and is on the lookout for compelling stories in this space.
Fan Meet Revelations: A Desire for Light-Hearted Roles
The revelations came from a private gathering held on January 6, 2026, where Deepika Padukone met with over 50 select fans from across India. Videos from the event quickly spread across social media platforms, with one particular segment capturing widespread attention. When a fan asked, "When are we seeing you in a rom-com again?" Deepika's response was filled with hopeful anticipation.
"I really hope very, very soon," she stated. "As you all know, it is also one of my most favourite genres as an audience and also as an actor." However, the Pathaan star also expressed a pragmatic concern about the current cinematic landscape, noting that she feels audiences are seeking different content. Yet, she acknowledged the fan demand, saying, "if so many of you want a rom-com, I am sure a large part of the public also wants that."
Potential Co-Stars: From Ranbir Kapoor to Shah Rukh Khan
The interaction took an exciting turn when fans began shouting out names of leading men they'd like to see her paired with. Deepika smiled at the mention of Hrithik Roshan, responding with a curious, "With Hrithik?" However, it was the name of Ranbir Kapoor that led to a significant admission.
"Ranbir, okay, so we have spoken about it honestly," Deepika revealed, confirming that the two actors have indeed discussed collaborating on a romantic comedy project. This fuels long-standing rumours about the duo potentially reuniting for director Ayan Mukerji's next romantic film, though no official announcement has been made.
The event's host then conducted an impromptu poll, asking the audience to cheer for their favourite on-screen pairing for Deepika. The loudest cheers were reserved for two combinations: her real-life husband Ranveer Singh and the iconic Shah Rukh Khan, with whom she has shared massive box office success.
The Big Screen vs OTT Debate and a Running Joke
Deepika also engaged her fans in a discussion about the preferred platform for a potential rom-com. She asked whether they would rather watch it on an OTT service or in theatres, and even queried, "If I do OTT will you be upset?" The fans were clear in their preference, with one declaring, "You are meant for the big screen."
Another fan humorously added a condition, "As long as your character doesn't die it is okay," referencing a well-known pattern in Deepika's filmography. The actor laughed and confirmed, "My mother also keeps saying this." This inside joke points to the fate of her characters in several films, including:
- Om Shanti Om (her debut)
- Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (where her character is shot)
- Padmaavat (where she performs jauhar/self-immolation)
- Jawan (where her character is executed)
Wrapping up her thoughts on the genre's scarcity, Deepika noted, "This is something that even my team and I keep looking out for constantly. We're constantly looking for drama, love story, rom-com, these genres. But I feel like there are very few producers backing that kind of content or very few writing that right now."
On the work front, Deepika Padukone will next be seen in Shah Rukh Khan's King. She is also set to collaborate with Telugu superstar Allu Arjun for an upcoming project directed by Atlee, marking a major pan-India venture.
