Mohar Basu (BOMBAY TIMES; December 17, 2015)

Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; October 30, 2014)

Ever since the actor shaved off his head for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani, he has been avoiding public appearances to guard his new look. He even skipped the initial promotions of his upcoming film, Kill Dil, reportedly leaving the makers disappointed. However, now his dilemma seems to have come to an end.

Though Bhansali is known to be quite pertinacious about guarding the looks of his actors as well as the film sets, he has allowed Ranveer to honour his commitments to the Kill Dil unit. A source says, “Ranveer was in a fix over joining the Kill Dil promotions as he had been asked to keep his Bajirao look under wraps. In fact, he has been staying near the shooting location so that his look is not leaked. But he has managed to get Bhansali’s permission to promote his other film. He will be joining his costars in a couple of days for various marketing activities.”

Another source says the production team of Kill Dil had a discussion with Bhansali’s unit on carrying out their promotions without revealing Ranveer’s new look. “Initially, they suggested that he wear a wig but Ranveer thought that it would look funny on him. Instead, he suggested that he will put on skull caps or hooded jackets to cover his head so that his look can be concealed. He will try and complete all his promotional activities only when he is not shooting for Bajirao Mastani so that Bhansali’s schedule is not affected,” adds the source.

The spokesperson for Bajirao Mastani confirmed the news.

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; October 22, 2014)

The actor seems to be going the distance to keep his bald look under wraps. In his efforts to avoid media glare at the moment, Ranveer Singh has decided to miss the song launch of Shaad Ali’s upcoming film Kill Dil co-starring Parineeti Chopra and Ali Zafar. Sources said only the leading lady would be present for the event which is scheduled for this afternoon.

Ranveer is shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani off and on, and has got his head shaven last week, a source said, adding, “He will, of course, be promoting Kill Dil but will skip the song launch.” A source close to the Kill Dil unit said although the makers were keen on Ranveer’s involvement in the promotions, they respected his decision to skip the event. “He had earlier informed the makers that he may not be present for each and every promotional activity,” said the source.

While Ranveer was unavailable for comment, the film spokesperson said, “He was never going to be part of the song launch. We were keen to get it unveiled by Parineeti as it coincides with her birthday. She readily agreed.”

Thoughtful gesture
As Parineeti Chopra steps into the 26th spring of her life, her Kill Dil co-star, Ali Zafar has a surprise in store for her — a designer salwar suit. The source says, “Parineeti will have a working birthday. Apart from shooting for an ad and attending some meetings, she will promote Kill Dil and has not planned any celebration as such. Her family, too, won’t be coming over to Mumbai. Ali has got Pakistani designer, Zara Shahajan to fashion a Punjabi suit for her as a surprise gift.” Ali corroborated the news.
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Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; October 22, 2014)

The production team of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani has decided to house Ranveer Singh on the topmost floor of a Goregaon highrise. A unit member says, “While he is taking care not to step out much, the production house has asked him to avoid shutterbugs at all costs.”

Bhansali has also warned his crew against leaking pictures of the shoot to the media, the source added. Another source from the production house says, “We have booked an entire floor of an apartment in Goregaon for him. Since it is close to Film City Studios where our set has been erected, he will not have to spend much time commuting and the primary purpose of safeguarding his look will also be served. After Diwali, he is expected to shift to his ‘hiding’ place over the weekend.”

The film’s spokesperson confirmed the news.

Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; October 21, 2014)

Nikhil Arora (DNA; September 25, 2014)


Ranveer is honest enough to admit that he is not yet sure if he will shave his head off or not. He shares, “I have been thinking about it. I think the way I plan to prep for Bajirao Mastani, I will be underground for a considerable amount of time, so I can do it without it affecting my work. I have finished all my endorsements and commercials. Once I go into this zone, I want to go into the depths of it. It is a physical transformation that I have to do. I think I am going to explore myself as an actor creatively with this character. I think it will be worth it.” He continues, “I was chatting with Farhan Akhtar who told me that when such opportunities come along, you have to recognise them... like he did with Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. He believes, as I do with Bajirao... that for some time in my life, it has to be about just that one film. He told me the extent he went to, for BMB. I am definitely inspired now and ready to go down that path for Bajirao Mastani, where as a performer I shut out everything else. I have to disconnect and go into that zone. And I will be doing that.”

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; April 4, 2014)

So Ranveer Singh has chosen Sanjay Leela Bhansali over Karan Johar. The actor’s office on Thursday confirmed that the actor has signed on Bhansali’s film, Bajirao Mastani, and has opted out of Karan Johar’s Shhuddhi due to clashing dates. Now it is being said that the actor will go bald to play Bajirao in the film. A source says, “This is also why the actor could not work with Johar. He had no choice but to opt out of Shhuddhi. On the other hand, Bhansali has mentored him in Ram Leela and he was keen to work with the filmmaker again.” When quizzed about the actor going bald, Ranveer Singh’s spokesperson refused to comment.

However a source close to the actor confirms that this is true. “Ranveer is aware that the role requires him to shave off his hair and he has agreed to it,” says the source.

It maybe recalled here that when Bhansali first thought of making this film, he had Salman Khan in mind for the lead role. But the project didn’t take off at that point of time.

Now industry watchers are also keen to know how Deepika Padukone will manage her dates. The actress has already said yes to Shhuddhi, but with beau Ranveer Singh’s dates locked in for Bajirao Mastani, she is now under pressure to make room for the same project.

A source says, “The actress will soon have to make up her mind about the two films. Karan Johar has already announced the release date of his film, and it is known that his shooting schedule will clash with that of Bajirao Mastani.”

Both Bhansali and Deepika were unavailable for comment.