‘We expected a fight’: Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani actor recalls Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone’s professionalism on set post-breakup

Actor on how Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone stayed professional on set post-breakup (Source: Express photo by Jaipal Singh)

Dhurandhar actor Naveen Kaushik, who played the role of travel guide Sumer in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), recently spoke about the atmosphere on set during filming, the first project featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone together after their breakup. In a chat with Siddharth Kannan, Naveen recalled, “It was completely professional. Like everyone else, we also thought a fight might break out anytime, and we were almost anticipating that if something happened, we’d witness it and have some gossip to talk about. But nothing like that happened. They were absolutely professional on set. Our shoot was extremely gruelling, not because of long working hours, but because of the locations. We were shooting on very steep mountains, sometimes climbing ten feet straight up, and shooting there. Despite that, there were always parties with the entire cast and crew in between. They were very cordial and very nice.”

Reflecting on individual work ethics, Naveen highlighted how consistency and emotional regulation showed up in everyday interactions. Speaking about Deepika Padukone, he said, “I often say this: I have never seen an actor more professional than Deepika Padukone. She was always on time, knew her job, knew her lines, and greeted everyone with a smile. She never threw a tantrum, not even once.”

On Ranbir Kapoor, Naveen shared, “Even though he was already a star, he treated me like a brother. We used to pull each other’s legs. After a point, we forgot that this was Ranbir Kapoor, that the film rested on his shoulders, that he wasn’t just one of us. I think he always knew he was the prince of the Kapoor family. He understood that if you love people, they will automatically love you back. And if you work with dedication, that will eventually speak for itself.”

Remaining cordial isn’t always about suppressing feelings; it often reflects emotional boundaries, mutual respect, and an understanding that personal history doesn’t have to derail professional responsibility.

Sonal Khangarot, licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist, The Answer Room, tells indianexpress.com, “When ex-partners continue to work together, staying professional isn’t about emotional coldness — it’s about emotional maturity.”

In Indian work settings, she notes, where social circles overlap and gossip travels fast, a few psychological skills make a real difference: In collectivist cultures like ours, this composure is often misunderstood as “being fine,” but psychologically, it reflects strength—not suppression.

For professionals who continue working with an ex, Khangarot states, well-being is supported by containment rather than emotional shutdown. Keeping interactions predictable, respectful, and limited to work tasks helps reduce emotional spillover. Internally, it helps to remind yourself that the workplace is not where the relationship is processed; emotional work needs a separate, safer space.

“Privately acknowledging emotions after interactions prevents accumulation and burnout. Simple regulation practices such as slow breathing, brief pauses, or grounding can reset the nervous system. Framing professionalism as a choice to protect one’s peace and long-term stability allows emotions to exist without letting them take over,” concludes Khangarot.