Ranbir Kapoor is in denial mode. All that he is ready to admit is that he is currently single. The actor also likes to stress that he is in search of a girl. “Anyone will do as long as she is a good girl,” he says.

He has known them all — the good, the bad, and the not quite so ugly. Ranbir’s relationships have always been carefully dissected by the media. His highly publicised relationship with Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone led to a public break-up. But Ranbir says he is not heartbroken. “I do not know if I have had heartbreak in my personal life,” he reflects. “We have bad days and good days in our lives but I am someone young and exploring life,” he adds. Then, in the same breath, he says, “I am keen to date women, so let’s see. Perhaps I am looking for heartbreak!”

Ranbir denies that he is working with Deepika again in a sequel to the 2009 film Wake Up Sid. “I am in Ayan Mukherjee’s next movie. But it is not a sequel, it’s a new film,” he says. “Deepika is not yet confirmed in the film,” he hastens to add.

But the chocolate box hero of many a romantic film is still the favourite subject of Bollywood rags. The rumour mill whispers of a romantic link between him and his co-star in Imtiaz Ali’s new film Rockstar — Pakistani actress Nargis Fakhri. Earlier, there was talk of a fling with Katrina Kaif. Ranbir is the perfect gentleman. He praises Nargis’s work — just as he had lauded his earlier co-stars such as Deepika, Katrina, Bipasha Basu and Minnisha Lamba. “I can say this with a lot of confidence — Nargis is by far the best actress I have come across. She did not know Hindi when she came here. Now she has learned Hindi and even writes in Hindi. We share great vibes,” he gushes.

The actor plays a Jat boy in Rockstar. “The film is a musical journey and you will come to know more about it when you watch it. I am playing the role of a rock star, but director Imtiaz and music director A.R. Rahman are the real rock stars,” he says. “The audience will see my character more than they will see me in this film,” he promises, adding. “I hope I have grown as an actor.”

The film is special for Ranbir because it also features his granduncle, the late Shammi Kapoor. This was Shammi’s last film and the first film where Ranbir acted with a family member. “It was great — especially his energy and his positivity. He would flirt with the assistant directors, singing old songs in a happy mood. He would never show his physical problems. I am not even two per cent of him,” says Ranbir, looking nostalgic. “We will all miss Shammi Kapoor. He was such a fantastic actor; he created his own style, standing apart from the rest of the Kapoors. His sincere efforts enabled him to sustain himself in the industry.”

Ranbir has been acting with another family member — but not in films. He features with his father, actor Rishi Kapoor, in a commercial. “We had a lot of fun,” says Ranbir, who is known to share a more formal relationship with his father as against the frank and open ties he has with his mother, actress Neetu Singh. Ranbir, however, is proud that his father is still experimenting with roles — even playing a villain in the remake of Agneepath. “That is his greatness as an actor,” he stresses.

Addressing rumours and stories about plans for reviving RK Films — the film banner his grandfather, Bollywood’s original showman Raj Kapoor, had established — he says, “Yes. It is my priority, but I am busy with my acting assignments now. We have to start a movie and are looking for a script.”

At present he is shooting for his much talked of film Barfee in which he plays the role of a deaf and mute boy named Murphy, for which he has been learning how to communicate using signs. “The movie is still under production and it would not be possible for me to give away many details about the story or my character,” he says. Barfee also stars Priyanka Chopra and Ileana D’Cruz.

What about reports of a cold war between him and Priyanka? Ranbir clears the air. “It is nothing like that. I have no clue from where that news has emerged. In fact, it is a great pleasure to work with Priyanka because as an actor, she is so focused,” he says. Sensing we are not quite convinced, Ranbir flips out his phone. “If you want, I will call her right away to confirm that there is no fight between us,” he says, with eyes gleaming.

We believe you, Ranbir. Till you tell us otherwise.