Rivalry growing between Deepika Padukone and Anushka Sharma?

• Bollywood Correspondent

Deepika Padukone and Anushka Sharma are colleagues in Bollywood and over the years it has become clear they have a bone of contention (apart from Ranveer Singh).

Anushka, who entered film industry with 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' opposite Shah Rukh Khan, recently revealed in an interview about her struggling days with films and popularity.

Deepika and Anushka during IPTL match

In an interview with a leading tabloid, Anushka said While promoting 'Band Baajaa Baaraat' no one was willing to interview her. She was reflecting how no one put her on the covers of magazines and called her the next big thing.

She went on to say that she didn't become an overnight star like Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh or Deepika Padukone.

Not surprised Deepika's name cropped up in that list. Well, her rivalry with Deepika also didn't develop overnight.

Deepika during IPTL match

Let's not even get into details about their Ranveer Singh link, because Ranveer-Deepika love story blossomed much after break-up with Anushka.

But the gap between Anushka and Deepika seems to be widening day by day.

While they maintain that they are cordial towards each other, their actions speak otherwise.

Deepika during IPTL match

The ladies were seen during the recent IPTL match held in Delhi. We know that Deepika and Aamir Khan played with Tennis legends including Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Aamir's 'PK' co-star Anushka was there with their director Rajkumar Hirani and perhaps cheering for Aamir.

Deepika was sitting in the next row with her father, world class Badminton player, Prakash Padukone.

Pictured together in the stands Anushka and Deepika seem to be so near yet so far.

In 'Koffee with Karan' Anushka broke her silence on her relationship with Deepika and said "Deepika is not my friend."

She further said that she only had five friends, whom she texted and called frequently.

This statement came after Deepika called her a friend earlier in the same show.

It is well know that Deepika and Katrina Kaif don't share a cordial relationship, that's because at one point Deepika had to share her boyfriend Ranbir with Katrina.

Now the twist in the tale - Anushka has come forward and called Katrina her favourite co-star.

The equation is quite understandable. In recent times, Anushka and Katrina have been parting a lot, and why not two friends have a rival in common.

Last year the 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' actor asked media to stop comparing her with Deepika - be it bagging a plum movie, brand endorsement offers or Ranveer Singh.

She had said, "There is no comparison between Deepika and me. Nothing links us. We do different kind of films. In fact, she has done more films. I've been choosy and not just picked up just about any role that came my way.

"Look at the heroes; they don't indulge in such things. And that's why I find it easier to be friends with them. A friend of Deepika had called up (the media) to say that she is doing 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' and not Anushka. My friends don't call, do they? I am Anurag Kashyap's and Rajkumar Hirani's choice. She is Ayan Mukerji's and whoever's. I never pull anybody down. That makes me nice, right?

"Stop throwing garbage at me since I don't throw garbage at you. We call ourselves cool but we are actually not. I'm in a good position and nobody can take it away from me."

Phew! Looks like this cat fight is here to stay and the contenders don't seem to have any intention on pulling back.

Well, we now know why the gap is widening between Deepika and Anushka