YJHD Actor Shares Behind-the-Scenes Account of Ranbir and Deepika's Professional Conduct
Naveen Kaushik, who played travel guide Sumer in the 2013 Bollywood hit Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, recently opened up about working with Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone. This film marked their first project together after their highly publicized breakup.
In a candid conversation with interviewer Siddharth Kannan, Kaushik revealed the cast and crew expected tension on set. "We all anticipated some drama or conflict," he admitted. "We thought we might witness something explosive that would become juicy gossip."
No Drama, Just Professionalism on Challenging Shoots
Contrary to expectations, Kaushik described an atmosphere of complete professionalism. "Nothing like that happened," he emphasized. "They were absolutely professional throughout."
The actor highlighted the physically demanding nature of their shoot locations. "Our schedule was grueling because we filmed on steep mountains," Kaushik recalled. "Sometimes we climbed ten feet straight up just to reach our shooting spots."
Despite these challenges, Kaushik noted that the entire cast and crew regularly socialized together. "There were always parties in between shoots," he said. "Ranbir and Deepika remained very cordial and pleasant with everyone."
Praising Individual Work Ethics
Kaushik spoke glowingly about Deepika Padukone's professional conduct. "I often say I've never seen a more professional actor than Deepika," he stated. "She always arrived on time, knew her lines perfectly, and greeted everyone with a smile. She never threw a single tantrum."
Regarding Ranbir Kapoor, Kaushik appreciated his down-to-earth attitude despite his star status. "Even though he was already a major star, he treated me like a brother," Kaushik shared. "We joked around and pulled each other's legs. After a while, we forgot he was Ranbir Kapoor carrying the entire film on his shoulders."
Kaushik attributed this behavior to Kapoor's understanding of human relationships. "He seemed to understand that if you show genuine love to people, they will naturally love you back," the actor observed. "He knew dedicated work would eventually speak for itself."
Psychological Perspective on Working with Ex-Partners
Sonal Khangarot, a licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist at The Answer Room, explained the psychological dynamics at play when ex-partners work together professionally.
"Staying professional with an ex isn't about emotional coldness," Khangarot clarified. "It demonstrates genuine emotional maturity."
Key Psychological Skills for Workplace Composure
Khangarot identified several crucial skills that help maintain professionalism in such situations:
- Emotional Regulation: The ability to recognize feelings of hurt or discomfort without expressing them inappropriately at work.
- Clear Role Differentiation: Mentally separating personal history from current professional responsibilities.
- Boundaries: Limiting conversations to work topics and avoiding emotional spillover into professional settings.
- Cognitive Maturity: Accepting that a relationship can end while respectful collaboration remains possible.
- Self-Respect and Long-Term Thinking: Prioritizing reputation, mental peace, and career stability over momentary emotional release.
The psychotherapist noted that in collectivist cultures like India's, where social circles frequently overlap, these skills become particularly valuable. "This composure is often misunderstood as simply 'being fine,'" Khangarot explained. "Psychologically, it represents strength rather than suppression."
Practical Strategies for Mental Well-being
For professionals continuing to work with ex-partners, Khangarot recommended specific approaches:
- Keep interactions predictable, respectful, and strictly work-focused
- Remind yourself that the workplace isn't the appropriate venue for processing relationship emotions
- Acknowledge emotions privately after interactions to prevent accumulation
- Use simple regulation practices like slow breathing or brief pauses to reset your nervous system
- Frame professionalism as a conscious choice to protect your peace and long-term stability
"Well-being in these situations comes from containment rather than emotional shutdown," Khangarot concluded. "This approach allows emotions to exist without letting them dominate professional interactions."
