When the script of Jayeshbhai Jordaar was narrated to Ranveer Singh, he was taken by the story’s simplicity and its message. But above all, what struck him was the film’s unlikely hero. In Divyang Thakkar’s directorial offering, the protagonist — otherwise quiet and mild-mannered — takes on his domineering family in order to save his unborn girl child. Singh, who plays a father in the social comedy, didn’t have to look too far for inspiration. For the role, he channelled his father Jagjit Singh Bhavnani, whom he considers his pillar of strength.

“I borrowed a lot from that aspect of my life, from observing the way my father was with us. We were the only thing that mattered to him. His only purpose was to be the best protector and provider that he could possibly be. No matter how much it took from him — physically, mentally and emotionally, he would do everything in his power to give us a better life. That is the premise of Jayeshbhai’s journey as well,” says the actor, who joins Boman Irani and Shalini Pandey in the May 13 release.

Singh harboured acting ambition from an early age. He credits his entrepreneur father and mother Anju for encouraging him to follow his dreams, all the while shielding him from troubled times. As he stepped into the shoes of Jayeshbhai who leaves no stone unturned to protect his wife and their unborn child, the actor found himself understanding his father’s sacrifices. He says that the Maneesh Sharma production, in a way, brought him closer to his dad.

“I have seen my father go through many adversities relentlessly and overcome them. No matter what he was going through, he shielded us from the difficulties of life. I saw it first-hand and understood it even then. But through playing Jayeshbhai, now, I have a much deeper appreciation for everything he did for me.”

Ranveer Singh with father Jagjit