Subhash K Jha (DNA; February 7, 2015)

If Ranveer Singh is not on a signing spree in 2015 it isn’t because his last film Kill Dill underperformed at the boxoffice. Ranveer is not looking at any other film until his current assignment is completed. At the moment, his entire focus is on getting the historical character right in every detail. Says a source from film’s core team, “It’s not just about shaving his head. Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has made Ranveer get under the skin of the character. And that includes mastering the nuances of Marathi language as spoken in the 17th century.”

According to the source Ranveer, who is a Punjabi and has lived in Mumbai all his life, knows Marathi. “But the language spoken in 17th century is very different from contemporary Marathi. Ranveer is unlearning the modern Marathi dialect to learn the pure form of the language spoken in that era,” says the source.

Apparently, the director is bowled over by Ranveer’s command over his character’s personality and speech. “There are lengthy monologues, which Ranveer manages without faltering. The actor’s level of dedication is exemplary. Between shots, Ranveer doesn’t allow any distraction. The masti-khor exhibitionistic that he is known to be, is not on display on the sets of Bajirao Mastani. Ranveer remains uncharacteristically quiet and erupts only when facing the camera. He barely exchanges pleasantries with the cast and crew, not even with Deepika,” says the source from the unit.