Actor Ranveer Singh says it takes a lot of cynicism and bitterness to believe his jovial nature is an act
Rahul Gangwani (TIMES LIFE; December 31, 2017)

Popularity, great roles, awards… is it like living in a surreal world?
I do feel so. At least once a day, invariably in the morning, I find it hard to believe what’s happening in my life...

Go on...
A few days back, a close friend brought up a small fact. During my struggle period, for three years in my bedroom there was a huge black-and-white poster of Rocky with the tag line: His whole life was a million-to-one shot. That became the story of my life. I had a million-to-one shot at the movies and it happened. There have been instances when amidst large crowds I stop engaging with the external and ask myself, ‘Can you bloody believe this?’ It’s the greatest high when the film releases and you go to watch it in the theatres. I usually visit Chandan cinema in Juhu. I watch my film sitting in the stalls with the audience. They laugh, they react, they clap. To realise that I have connected with the audience… Nothing compares to that.

Were there moments when your parents were unhappy about your career choice?
To be fair, my parents have always supported me. They supported me when I called them halfway through the university and told them I wanted to become an actor. You can imagine how bizarre it must have sounded to them. They told me first get the degree and then pursue my passion. My dad supported me throughout my struggle period. He coughed up money for my portfolio, for my physical training and for my dance classes.

Then?
After the second year, you wonder whether the phone will ever ring. It was also a period of recession. Films were not being made. Fewer films were being made with newcomers. I believe I started the trend. It was Anushka Sharma and then me, then Parineeti Chopra, Arjun Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra, Varun Dhawan came in. Fortunately, it all turned around. My dad had a breakthrough in his business. I got a break. As they say, dene wala deta hai toh chappar phaad kar deta hai.

How are the dynamics at home now?
My father is getting older and gets emotional easily. The other day I was cleaning my shoe closet, which has some 100 pairs now. It was a staggering sight. Dad walked past the room and he started crying. He said, I remember once you had just two pairs – one for everyday wear and one while going out. Tell me, how can I not be thankful to God?

It sure was an emotional moment...
Yes. My grandfather, who was a pious man, once told me that he kept asking God where life would take me. For the longest time he didn’t get any answer. However, one day, he had a vision of me standing next to Amitabh Bachchan. He’d narrate this story every day with the same enthusiasm. It’s crazy how his vision came true.

Does stardom always come with a price?
Certain instances can agitate you. The lack and invasion of privacy being one. False media reportage can also leave you disturbed. Sometimes people just cook up stories. They don’t realise it could affect a human being profoundly. That it’s bad karma. Mobile phones are adding to the nuisance. They don’t even ask you for a picture. It’s bad manners. They take pictures and videos even when you’re eating or when you are in the washroom.

What else annoys you?
People ask me how I am such a happy person. They ask me whether I’m really happy or faking it. I believe we are living in a maha kalyug. It’s the worst it’s ever been. I can’t understand why people find it hard to believe that I’m a jovial person. They don’t realise that I just count my blessings every day. I’ve so much to be thankful for. How can I be a dull and morose person? Maybe, if I had not become an actor, I would’ve been a different person. Perhaps, I’d have been bitter and resentful. Right now I have all the reasons to be happy.

Like what?
Work, family, friends... Everything is beautiful. I’m also someone who likes to make others happy. I guess, I’m blessed with this ability. I do that on a daily basis. If I spread happiness and joy, I’ll get it back manifold. I find it amusing that people can’t wrap their heads around my happiness. It makes me wonder how many cynics are out there. Yes, the agony of existence is always there but you can choose to ride that wave and be happy through it all. That’s why I live my life to the fullest.