Deepika Padukone: After furious BACKLASH, xXx star speaks out – fans will be relieved

The Bollywood megastar, known for movies such as Padmaavat and xXx: Return of Xander Cage, became the centre of an online fan campaign last week when she was seen visiting director Luv Ranjan.

Reports than began circulating that she could star in his new movie, alongside her ex-boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor – who is already cast.

#NotMyDeepika became a popular trend on Twitter as fans urged her not to join the project, given that he has faced accusations of sexual harassment in the past – allegations he denied.

But now, Deepika Padukone has very firmly and succinctly ruled out working with anyone who has faced such claims.

Though Ranjan was not referenced by name, and it’s not known if this interview was conducted before or after the controversy around her meeting, this should reassure worried fans.

Asked if she’d ever work with anyone accused of sexual misconduct, she told Vogue: “No! I would not.”

Padukone has plenty on her plate: she’s got Chhapaak, which she also produces, out in early 2020; along with ’83, in which she and husband Ranveer Singh tell the story of the Indian cricket team’s world cup win in 1983.

Discussing the latter, she recently revealed the emotional connection she felt with her character Romi Bhatia; wife of Kapil Dev.

MORE: Deepika Padukone reveals SURPRISING career move

“I play the role of Romi Dev, wife of Kapil Dev in the movie and she was instrumental in Kapil Dev’s success, especially when he was the captain,” the star told Asian Age.

“She was part of the support system and I feel connected to that.

“I always feel that in an athlete’s life the wife and family sacrifice a lot of their own dreams to support the vision of the athlete, the goals that they set and they end up sacrificing their own career.

“I have seen it in my own family.”

She elaborated: “My mother had been supportive to my father in his career.

“I think to see the human side, to see what an important role family play in success of athlete, I took up this role.”

Padukone is also expected to return to the xXx franchise for xXx 4, though no dates appear to have been set just yet.

’83 is out on April 10, 2020 in India. No UK date has yet been set.