Deepika Padukone's Ex-Boyfriend Nihaar Pandya debuts in Kangana Ranaut's Manikarnika

Deepika with ex-boyfriend Nihaar in 2006 as the two attent designer Kunal Rawal's DStress store launch party in 2006 (Pic: Source SantaBanta)

Currently 36 yr old, when Nihaar was asked The world knows you as Deepika Padukone and Gauahar Khan’s ex- boyfriend. Does that ever bother you?, he had told IE in the I/v last year - There is not much I can do about it right now. I don’t think Deepika or Gauahar see it the way the world sees it or I see it the way the world sees it. It only makes for a story when it’s shown to the world the way it has been shown so far. If I am given a chance, I can show what I have to offer. (Pic: Instagram)

Actor and co-owner of Zoo Bar in Mumbai, Nihaar underwent multiple acting and training workshops to get every nuance of the character right. (Pic: Instagram)

Now we'll see Nihaar on the big screen with his Bollywood debut film 'Manikarnika'. The film is directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and produced by Kamal Jain and Zee Studios. The film, which also stars Sonu Sood and Ankita Lokhande, is slated to hit the theatres on April 27. (Pic: Instagram)

Nihaar has finally bagged a role in Kangana's upcoming 'Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi'. (Pic: Instagram)

The highly anticipated biographical film 'Manikarnika' is based on the life of the queen of the princely state of Jhansi, Rani Laxmi Bai and her war against the British East India Company during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. (Pic: Instagram)

Deepika's first boyfriend Nihaar's feature debut was with Hollywood production 'Marigold' but the role was nothing more than a ‘friendly appearance’. (Pic: Instagram)

Those associated with the film said that the actor did not give up even after injuring himself multiple times during the sets while filming. (Pic: Instagram)

The Kangana Ranaut-starrer, which has been in the news ever since the announcement of the film, will see Nihaar Pandya essay the role of Baji Rao the second (II) in the film. (Pic: Instagram)

The prospect of playing a historic character along with strenuous war scenes motivated Nihaar to learn the ropes in terms of martial arts, weight training, functional training, horse riding, among others to do complete justice to his character. (Pic: Instagram)

Interestingly, Nihaar is playing the role of 'Bajirao the second (II)' while Deepika's current boyfriend and Bollywood star recently played 'Bajirao' himself. (Pic: Instagram)

Deepika had met Nihar in an acting school 'Actor Prepares' during her modelling days. Nihaar later dated actress and 'Bigg Boss 7' winner Gauahar Khan too. (Pic: Instagram)

A year ago during an interview with IE, Nihaar had revealed that he and Deepika are still in touch saying - Yes, we are very much in touch. It’s nowhere close to the way it has been portrayed so far with reports suggesting that both of us are waiting to run each other down or anything. It’s all very much on a friendly note. (Pic: Instagram)

The struggling actor had been until now in news for his affair with Bollywood diva Deepika Padukone in the latter's initial struggling days. When Deepika came to Mumbai to try her luck in films, they were dating and were also rumored to be in a live-in relationship (Pic: Instagram)