MUMBAI - Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh says he shares a relationship of mutual admiration with fellow actress Deepika Padukone, who he says he is “blessed” to have in his life.

Ranveer was at the News18 Rising India Summit when he was asked about his relationship status with Deepika and about his marriage plans.

Dodging the question, Ranveer, who has never confirmed or denied a relationship with Deepika even as rumors have been around for some years, said, “It is a relationship of mutual admiration... I rate her very highly as an actor, and she doesn’t.”

“She says, ‘You’re just a ham’,” he quipped, adding that she is “awesome” and that “there’s a lot to learn from her as an artist”.

He acknowledged that his "Bajirao Mastani," "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela" and "Padmaavat" co-star has helped him become a “well-rounded human being” and that he is “blessed to have her in my life”.

Ranveer was also asked if his quirky and flamboyant persona is his real self.

He said it was in 2013 that something in him changed and he felt he didn’t need to try and fit in.

“I felt I should say what I feel like, dress the way I feel like. It’s less taxing,” he said, recounting how earlier he “was trying to be somebody I was not”. - Agencies