Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; January 31, 2018)

Ranveer Singh is the man of the moment. He’s not only winning rave reviews for his Alauddin Khilji act in Padmaavat but the period drama has also turned out to be his biggest opener and fastest Rs 100 crore-project till date. When After Hrs catches up with him, the young actor is visibly excited. He says, “I’m so happy that people are liking the film. Sanjay sir has created such a masterpiece.” In a tête-à-tête, he reveals why this role was a huge risk for him and what prompts him to take up a film.

How does it feel to be applauded for your act when you are sharing screen space with such strong performers?
I’m not into one-upmanship. I’ve done two-hero films and some multi-starrers, too. My approach to work is collaborative, not competitive. I view myself and all the other actors as the complete acting department. How they have performed together is what matters! The costume department, the VFX department — all of them have contributed to making Padmaavat what it is. We’re the people who bring emotions to the table and I’m proud of this film’s cast, with what we’ve been able to achieve.

But it must give you a sense of pride, right?
My foundations of acting lie in the theatre where the first thing they make you do is trust exercises where you do warm-up sessions with your co-actors. Having done several plays, this is my approach towards cinema, too. Filmmaking is eventually a collaborative process. I believe that I’m as good as my co-star. I’ll mention two cases to you. I understand how Jim Sarbh made me look good in Padmaavat. People have waxed eloquent about how he’s such an asset to the film and how he has enhanced my performance. I fully agree with it. Right now, I’m shooting with Alia Bhatt and I can’t begin to tell you what a great actor she is. She makes my job so easy. I just have to be present to react to her actions. It’s sheer magic. I come from a different school of thought, which is why I don’t concern myself with notions like who did better!

There was a time when Shah Rukh Khan attempted several villainous parts when no one was doing such roles. There was Darr, Baazigar...
(Cuts in) And Anjaam, it is my favourite, too! He’s fantastic in all those films.

Usually, people attach a stigma to a leading hero playing a negative character. Here, people were calling you ghinauna which is a compliment...
(Laughs out loud) So many people told me that Hindi picture mein if someone loves your character, they love you. If they hate your character on screen, they will automatically start hating you as a person. There’s no doubt about how this role was a huge risk. Mainstream Hindi cinema is a lot about your image. People perceive you as the character you’ve played and they will credit all those virtues to you. It could have been the same case in this instance. But I’m relieved that it has paid off because people recognised that yeh toh Ranveer nahin hai, yeh sirf ek character hai. They are appreciative of it as a performance and all I’m getting is love and applause which feels extremely fulfilling.

Padmaavat is your biggest opener to date. Are box-office numbers a huge parameter for you while signing a film?
Not at all! I strongly believe that times have changed. It started off in 2010 when I made my debut. Films like Ishqiya and Love Sex Aur Dhokha were doing well. Nowadays, you don’t know what is commercially viable content. You have to make a good movie that connects with the audience. I don’t judge films based on their commercial potential. I don’t think about doing a movie that will get me an entry into the Rs 200-crore or Rs 300 crore-club. Even if the film does Rs 60 crore, it’s not my concern. I’m only concerned about the story. Does it make me feel something? Does it have a character that I’m excited enough to play?

The industry has not seen a superstar post Hrithik Roshan. But today, you and Varun Dhawan are slowly inching towards that tag. Comment.
I think it’s good for the movie business that younger and newer actors are delivering such kind of numbers. The industry needs these to thrive. My mentor, Aditya Chopra, had once explained to me the meaning of a superstar. He said when you’re a superstar and people see your face on a poster, that’s all they need to want to come and watch the film, regardless of anything else. So, while these tags are being attached to me, I still feel I have a long way to go. I don’t want to get corrupted with all this. I just want to act and grow. I could well have been acting in theatre, but I wanted to do mainstream Hindi cinema and that to me is one of the greatest gifts.

Karan Johar had told Adi that he won’t be able to sell your face on a film’s poster when you debuted. Now, he is producing a film that stars you. Are you happy with where you’ve reached so far?
I set out to pursue my passion — which is being a performer — and I’m doing just that. I’m satisfied that every day I get to go to a film set, perform and have these wonderful opportunities to showcase my ability. Everything else that comes after it is a bonus. Someone asked me recently, ‘How did you deal with the failure of Befikre?’ And I said I didn’t see it as a failure at all. For me, it’s a gift to collaborate with Aditya Chopra and be a leading actor in a mainstream Hindi film. Abhi picture successful hoti hai, toh sone pe suhaga. Agar nahi hoti hain, then also there’s nothing to be bogged down about. Because I’ve got exactly what I seek.

But don’t you think you’re at a position in your career where one flop wouldn’t unsettle you at all? You’re working with some of the best directors...
I’m just lucky that these films came to me in whatever order they did. Whether it’s Gully Boy, Simmba or 83! Gully Boy was offered first. Then, Rohit (Shetty) sir approached me for his film and then came 83 (the Kapil Dev biopic). If I’ve to give credit to myself, then it’s just that I’ve created my own luck and have worked hard enough to be a recognised actor. Therefore, I was offered these movies. I’m blessed to be working with these fine filmmakers in such different genres who are so passionate about the stories that they are telling. That’s the most crucial thing for me. If I ever find myself in a position where I see things aren’t happening theek se, then I get affected.

Has that ever happened to you before?
Yes, I’ve been in such a situation before. I was on a film set and thinking ‘What the f**k am I doing here? This is s**t’. I never want to be that or be there ever again. I want to be excited about my work and not lose the passion.