Muzammil Ibrahim Opens Up About His Past Relationship with Deepika Padukone: “We Were Just Two Young Dreamers in Mumbai”
Before becoming one of the most recognized and celebrated actors in the Indian film industry, Deepika Padukone was simply a young woman chasing her dreams in Mumbai.
It was during these formative years in the early 2000s, just after she had moved from Bengaluru to Mumbai to build her career in modeling and eventually acting, that she met Muzammil Ibrahim, a model and actor who was also carving out his path in the entertainment world.
In a candid and emotional conversation with host Siddharth Kannan, Muzammil opened up about a lesser-known chapter of his life — his relationship with Deepika Padukone.
Reflecting on those early days, Muzammil shared that he and Deepika were in a romantic relationship for nearly two years. At the time, both were navigating the ups and downs of building their careers in the highly competitive modeling industry.
“We were in a relationship for two years,” Muzammil said, adding that he was the first man Deepika got close to after arriving in Mumbai. According to him, their bond blossomed at a time when neither of them had achieved the kind of fame or financial security that comes with being a star.
“Those were simpler times. We didn’t have much money, but we were happy,” he recalled, a smile playing on his lips.
Muzammil described Deepika as being naturally confident even in those early days. “She had a certain charisma about her. People already knew her name because she was Prakash Padukone’s daughter, and that gave her a certain presence.
But beyond that, she was grounded and focused. She had that drive,” he said. Interestingly, he revealed that it was Deepika who made the first move in their relationship.
“She asked me out,” he noted, but also stated that he was the one who eventually ended the relationship.
“Then, I was doing well. I was a star in the modeling world, and she was just starting.
The tables have turned now — she’s one of the biggest superstars in the world, and I’ve taken a step back from the limelight. But that’s life,” Muzammil remarked with humility and admiration.
Despite their breakup, Muzammil harbors no bitterness. He spoke with warmth and nostalgia about the times they spent together.
“We were just two kids trying to figure life out. We would often go on rickshaw dates, especially during the rainy season. It sounds simple now, but back then, those were beautiful moments. We didn’t need anything else,” he reminisced.
He went on to share how he eventually started earning more and bought a car, and Deepika was genuinely thrilled about that.
“She was very happy for me. We supported each other in those early stages. That’s why these memories are etched in my heart,” he said.
One birthday memory stands out for him in particular. Muzammil recounted how he made sure that the DJ at a party played Deepika’s favorite song on repeat for over an hour.
“Even though I didn’t have money to throw a lavish party, the DJ was a friend. So I asked him to play her song continuously. For nearly an hour and a half, that’s all we danced to.
She was so happy, and I’ll never forget that,” he shared with a sense of heartfelt nostalgia.
When asked whether they’re still in touch, Muzammil clarified that they lost contact after Deepika married actor Ranveer Singh in 2019. “Before her marriage, we would occasionally exchange messages.
We had reached a place where we could wish each other well, congratulate each other on our successes. There was no animosity,” he said. However, post-marriage, communication naturally ceased, and they’ve both moved on in their personal lives.
Today, Deepika Padukone is a global icon with a slew of blockbuster films and international projects under her belt. She tied the knot with Ranveer Singh in a lavish ceremony in 2019, and the couple recently welcomed their daughter, Dua, in 2024.
Despite the years and the changes life has brought, Muzammil remains one of her admirers. “I am a big fan. I love watching her movies.
She’s incredibly talented and a beautiful human being. She’s come so far, and I’m genuinely proud of her,” he said, with genuine respect and admiration.
In the end, Muzammil’s reflections are a poignant reminder of how life evolves. Two ambitious young people, once sharing rickshaw rides and dreams under the Mumbai rains, are now living very different lives.
Yet, the memories they created together remain preserved in the hearts of those who lived them.
