Muzammil Ibrahim, known for his role in the movie Dhokha, recently opened up about his past relationship with Deepika Padukone in an interview with Siddharth Kannan. He revealed that they dated for two years in the early 2000s, a period when both were trying to establish themselves in the modeling industry in Mumbai. According to Muzammil, he was Deepika's first serious relationship, and she was the first person he met after moving to Mumbai.
Ibrahim shared fond memories of their time together, describing how they would go on dates in a rickshaw, especially during the rainy season. He reminisced about a time when neither of them had much money, but they were content. As he started earning more, he bought a car, which made Deepika very happy. He also recounted a sweet gesture he made for her birthday, getting a DJ friend to play her favorite song repeatedly for an hour and a half. Muzammil mentioned that his mother was also very fond of Deepika.
In a surprising revelation, Muzammil stated that Deepika was the one who initially asked him out. However, he was the one who ended the relationship. He explained that at the time, he was already a recognized face, while Deepika was still a budding model. He noted how confident she was, owing to her being the daughter of badminton legend Prakash Padukone, which meant she was already known in certain circles.
When asked if he regrets breaking up with Deepika, Muzammil said he doesn't, describing himself as a "tough guy." He acknowledged Deepika's current superstar status and expressed his admiration for her success. He stated that he enjoys watching her movies and finds her to be a beautiful woman.
Muzammil also addressed whether they kept in touch after their breakup. He mentioned that they remained friendly for a few years and would occasionally congratulate each other on their achievements. However, they eventually lost contact after Deepika's marriage to Ranveer Singh in 2019. Muzammil clarified that "Before she got married, we would talk sometimes". Deepika and Ranveer recently welcomed their daughter, Dua, in 2024.
The actor seemed hesitant to delve too deeply into the topic, given Deepika's marital status. Despite this, he shared that what they had was special, emphasizing that they were very good friends and he respects her a lot.
Muzammil, who won the Gladrags Manhunt India contest in 2003, has also been recognized for his bravery. He received the National Bravery Award in 1992 for saving a boy from drowning and the Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Award in 2008 for rescuing a tourist in Goa.