Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; February 19, 2019)

He has been winning kudos for his turn as a rapper in Gully Boy. However, Ranveer Singh has already started the prep for his next. The superstar will be seen essaying former cricket captain Kapil Dev in ’83, based on India’s first World Cup win.

Ranveer, who has begun training with Balwinder Singh Sandhu, a member of the 1983 winning team, says, “Ballu sir, as we call him, is an amazing coach. I train with him for four hours everyday in Mumbai. I focus on my bowling and do a lot of physio. I’m doing better in batting because from my childhood, I’ve had a natural ability for it. I’m a good fielder too. But I need to work particularly hard on my bowling,” says the actor.

He adds that he is besotted by his coach. “Ballu sir is a warm and lovable person. Spending time with him is the best way to start your morning. He is the epitome of positivity, so full of life and stories, which are entertaining and funny. The boys are working hard trying to get into the skin of their characters. We have an ensemble of fine actors and I’m also getting to know them.”

The Simmba star adds that he is privileged to be entrusted with the responsibility of telling this extraordinary cricketing tale. He elaborates, “The film’s story is one of the most glorious chapters in our nation’s sporting history. Kabir (Khan) director and I were discussing that we don’t have to do much there. You just tell the story, and it has got everything — a spectacular, unreal tale. There’s an entire generation who doesn’t know about it — how they did it and the fashion in which they achieved the victory.”

As reported by After Hrs, part of Ranveer’s prep will be spending time with Kapil. “I’m hoping to become his shadow. I will follow him wherever he goes and try to pick as much as possible from him. I hope to get some tips on bowling and batting from the man himself. I have never done this before. This will be a first for me, a unique process of spending time with the person I play on screen,” he signs off.

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; February 11, 2019)

Dressed in a statement-making printed yellow jacket and funky sunglasses, Ranveer Singh is in a hurry to reach somewhere. And since mine is the last interview for the day, he wants to know how much time it will take. While his manager says 10, I tell him I want 15 minutes and he sweetly obliges. The young superstar, who has had a phenomenal run at the box office last year with his two releases Padmaavat and Simmba crossing over Rs 200 crore each, is now gearing up for his upcoming film, Gully Boy. Exuding confidence and charisma, the 33-year-old tells us how he transforms himself for his roles, wife Deepika Padukone’s reaction to his look in the film and more.

You sported a muscular physique for Simmba and in Gully Boy, you have a lean look. How important is physical transformation for you while approaching a role?
Growing up, I’ve admired actors, who have the ability to transform themselves completely, to the extent that they change the way they walk, talk, etc. Also, I am trying to establish myself as a versatile actor and after two films like Lootera and Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela in 2013, Dil Dhadakne Do and Bajirao Mastani in 2015, that happened to some extent. And, now, this talk about me being versatile has gained momentum. It’s heartening because I have endeavoured towards that consciously. Actors like Daniel Day-Lewis and Christian Bale are my heroes. I’ve always aspired to be like that — putting on all that muscle mass for Alauddin Khilji (Padmaavat) or Simmba and losing all that for Gully Boy. For me, a part of the process always begins with physical transformation, which is the first step to start feeling like the character.

Fortunately, I have a median body type — six feet tall, 75 kilos — so if I put on 10-15 kilos, I can look really big and if I lose five kilos, I can look tiny. My body allows me that advantage. Next, I’m going to transform myself to look like the living cricket legend Kapil Dev. Everybody has a blueprint of him, which I have to match. It is the biggest challenge for me now.

For Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat, you had cut yourself off from everyone and stayed in isolation. What was your prep for Gully Boy?
Each director has a different approach and even I approach each part differently. Sometimes, one has to do extreme things like go into isolation for two-three weeks. Other films have different processes. For Gully Boy, I spent lot of time with writer-director Zoya Akhtar, and with the rappers. I hung out in their environment and did multiple workshops and readings with my co-actors, individually as well as in a group.

With this movie, you have turned a rapper and become the new hip-hop artiste. How did that come about?
I am extremely happy that my vocals have been accepted. It’s really a big deal for me. I didn’t expect this to happen — Apna Time Aayega becoming No.1! It was important for me that I give my vocals because the film and the story is such. It’s about an underdog, the journey of a boy trying to become a musician. For me, it was significant, but Zoya was unsure about me lending my vocals. She said it’s a proper music album and if you are not good enough, I won’t use you because you are not an actual rapper. She took my test. I sang Naezy’s version of Meri Gully Mein. Divine bhai was there guiding me and giving tips. Only after I passed my test did Zoya agree. So, it was not a given that I would sing, I had to qualify.

You are doing a film with Alia Bhatt for the first time, but you have already done ads with her. How was it working with her?
Yes, those ads had made our jodi popular even before our film came. Alia is a mind-blowing actor. She has put in such strong performances in the few films she has done within a short span. She has achieved so much at such a young age. Her dedication, work ethics and passion are admirable. Besides, she has natural talent, and is a born actor. She is stupendous in the film — the way she seamlessly appears as the character and has picked up the language. She has an emotive intelligence. She’s a warm and lovely person to work with. I hope this is the first of many collaborations with Alia. When I am acting with her, she makes me look good. She performs so well that I react to what she is doing and my performance becomes good.

Before Simmba when Deepika Padukone saw the rushes of the film, she said you looked hot. What’s her take on your look in Gully Boy?
(Smiles) She says I am looking the hottest. She loves my look in Zoya’s films as the latter ensures that my hair is short, and there’s no facial hair. Mooch, dadhi, kuchh bhi nahin. So, Deepika loves the way I look in Dil Dhadakne Do and Gully Boy.

You have shown a great flair for comedy in Simmba. How about doing an out-and-out comedy?
I am very keen to do an out-and-out comedy. I urge you to write about it, so that some writer, filmmaker or director reads it and approaches me. Please underline that I want to do comedy!

What kind of comedy do you like?
I like all kinds of comedy — situational, slapstick, and even brainless comedies. I want to do something fresh. There’s an American film Napoleon Dynamite (2004), a small film that redefined the syntax of comedy. For that matter, even Zoolander (2001), did the same, at least, in my interpretation. Yeah, so I would like to do something that has never been done before in comedy.

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; February 10, 2019)

For his film based on India’s Cricket World Cup win in 1983, director Kabir Khan has put together an ensemble cast to form Team India led by Ranveer Singh who will step into the shoes of Kapil Dev. After Sahil Khattar, Jiiva, Ammy Virk and Harrdy Sandhu, the latest to join the cast is Pankaj Tripathi, who will essay Man Singh, the manager of the 1983 Indian team. Ranveer is looking forward to collaborate with the Bareilly Ki Barfi actor.

He says, “Pankaj Tripathi is one of the finest actors in India. He was a part of Gunday, but he had a brief role. I read somewhere that part of the reason he is doing ’83 is me! That’s a massive thing for him to say. I admire him as an actor. He has done some fine work in Newton, Gurgaon and Mirzapur all of which I have have seen and loved.”

The Padmaavat actor recently met Pankaj at an actors’ round table. He says, “I kept saying, ‘Sir I want to work with you’. I manifested it dil se and it has happened. Kapil and Man Singh have a beautiful track. I think I will learn a lot from him and he will help me grow as an actor.”

Meena Iyer (DNA; February 7, 2019)

For Ranveer Singh, the process of playing Indian cricketing legend Kapil Dev in his next titled ’83 is not just about transforming physically into ‘someone’ who bears a resemblance to the favourite Indian pace bowler and all-rounder. In fact, the Bollywood superstar wants to get into the skin of the character as much as possible and he’s ready to do whatever is necessary.

For example, before he starts filming in Chandigarh, Kapil’s hometown, Ranveer has got an opportunity to spend three weeks with the former skipper himself. And he is grabbing this chance with both hands. “I am looking forward to spending time with Kapil sir. I feel that would be integral to my process of transforming myself into him. I want to absorb as much as I can from him — his story, experiences, thoughts, feelings, expressions and energy,” says Ranveer.

The actor adds, “I’m keen on getting tips on bowling and batting from the man himself. His achievements are extraordinary. He is the quintessential underdog who became a champion through perseverance, self-belief, hard work and a positive mindset. I am extremely inspired by him. I want to pour myself fully into this exciting character.”

Kabir Khan’s ’83 chronicles the journey of Kapil and his lesser-known (at that point) team who went from being a bunch of nobodies to those who clinched the World Cup in 1983. While the win is attributed to some remarkable contribution from every single player, it was the soft-spoken cricketer who led from the front as the captain. Immediately after Gully Boy’s release, Ranveer will start his intense preparation for ’83 that will see him transform into the ace sportsman, whose unique fast-bowling style mesmerised cricket lovers and left world-class batsmen at their wits’ end.

DNA (January 14, 2019)

Last year, Ranveer Singh not only contributed Rs 500 crore to the Indian box office singlehandedly but also proved that he’s chameleon-like, changing colour and form in two diverse film outings — Padmaavat, where he played Alauddin Khilji and Simmba in which he essayed the role of Inspector Bhalerao Sangram. He tells After Hrs what drives him to constantly push the boundaries.

You’ve had two blockbusters in one year. What are your thoughts about it?
It’s humbling that I could contribute to the industry that I love. It’s a place that has given me everything; I have realised an ordinary boy’s dream of being a Bollywood star. It is motivating that audiences are liking my craft and choices, when it comes to content. It’s a huge responsibility of doing better and better cinema from here on. As an artiste, I’ve always wanted to entertain audiences, at the same time giving them something new with each film. I have this constant endeavour to push myself and keep evolving as an actor. I want to continue being on this path because I have tasted success as a quintessential masala film hero as well as an anti-hero.

Would you say that this is an exciting time for an actor in Hindi cinema?
These are exciting times for the industry and I want to stay on course, hone my skills further and try to become one of the best actors around. It’s a personal ambition to offer the audience something novel and exciting each time my film releases.

You were appreciated as a masala commercial hero in Simmba. Since you always wanted to explore this genre, it must have been fulfilling, right?
With Simmba again, I was doing something absolutely new, thereby adding a different dimension to my repertoire. I had never done this kind of an out-and-out potboiler — a kind of movie I had always wanted to do and I gave it my all. I wanted to give it my touch, my understanding of the commercial masala movie hero and I’m happy everyone has loved that. I’m extremely grateful to the audience and the critics for the love they have showered on my performance and on the film. It is encouraging and truly humbling.

Are you happy that your first collaboration with Rohit Shetty has also become the filmmaker’s highest-grossing film?
The success of the film goes to Rohit Sir, who is the master of commercial masala cinema and has eight back-to-back Rs 100-crore blockbusters under his belt. I want to thank him for believing in me and making me his hero! His vision propelled by the collective effort of his entire team has been the sole reason behind Simmba hitting the bullseye. I look forward to my next creative collaboration with Rohit sir.

You have shown incredible versatility by choosing to be an anti-hero with Padmaavat and a colourful cop in Simmba.
I’m always hungry for good cinema and diverse content. I have realised over time that I like to go through a metamorphosis and become someone else on screen. I can’t play safe and I won’t play safe. It just doesn’t excite me as an artiste, so my content choices seem diverse. I can play a bloodthirsty villain, a cop, to channelising the voice of the streets in Gully Boy. I want to challenge myself, take bigger risks and entertain people who want to pay money to come to theatres to watch a good performance.

Ranveer Singh says the young actor is completely focused on her career
DNA (January 10, 2019)

Ranveer Singh and Sara Ali Khan are currently on cloud nine what with Simmba successfully crossing the Rs 200-crore mark at the domestic box office.

The Padmaavat actor is all praises for his 23-year-old co-actor. He says, “Sara is a born star. Acting with her was a revitalising experience.” Ask him whether she gave him any gossip on set and he laughs saying, “She doesn’t know much gossip; she is too self-obsessed (smiles). She doesn’t care about anyone else. This is exactly how one should be at the early stages of one’s career. I understand Sara is vulnerable. I was in that stage a few years ago. It’s that time where your first few films are coming out and you want people to like you. You want their validation and that can be a vulnerable state to be in. During that period, one is usually concentrating entirely on one’s career.”

He observes, “Sara has an immense amount of confidence. She has a winning personality. Her people skills and intelligence, not to forget her talent, make her fully equipped to be a star. As an actor, she has immense potential. I know that as she moves into her third and fourth film, she will probably collaborate with certain filmmakers who will tap into it further.” Ranveer adds graciously, “Her star power is clearly visible. She didn’t have a single film out and there she was on Koffee With Karan conducting herself beautifully. And everyone loved her.”

Ranveer Singh on his dream wedding to Deepika Padukone, criticism of masala movies, being a new-age mainstream hero and more
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 30, 2018)

Ranveer Singh remembers 2018 as one of his happiest years. "I am happier than I could imagine in my wildest dreams," he starts off as we settle for a chat during the promotions of Simmba, his next with Rohit Shetty that released this Friday. We are interrupted by his man Friday, who comes to inform him, "Madam ne khaana bheja hai…" I tease him and he blushes. Over the next hour, Singh spills the beans on the iconic moments of the year, how he is perceived as the new-gen superstar, his marriage to Deepika Padukone and finally reaching a place of professional and personal serenity.

What is your role and responsibility as a mainstream hero?
My mentor, Aditya Chopra always told me that the endeavour of any star should be to blend commercial value with credibility. My commercial successes have been recognised to have a certain heft. It was my intention to blend the best of both worlds. This new generation - 'me' along with Ranbir [Kapoor], Varun [Dhawan], Ayushmann [Khurrana] - recognise that we are the new guards appointed by audience, trade and the film fraternity. The onus is on us to ensure that the business of films sustains and grows manifold. We have to break the glass ceiling in every sense of the term. Keeping the commercial aspect in mind, we have to help cinema evolve. Our work must transcend language barriers and be regarded as amongst the biggest cinematic nations in the world. I am confident of our commitment and intent; I think we are in a critical, yet the most exciting phase. The positive signs of what worked this year reiterates that we are headed down a good path.

Is Simmba an attempt to refashion masala movies as noble and not merely slapstick or frivolous?
I would have worked with Rohit Shetty regardless of the script and story. But it is a bonus that our maiden film is pivoted on a strong narrative. He trusted and gave me a freehand to build my character. People are harsh in their criticism of commercial films. But the process of mounting a film like that is painstaking. When people watch [commercial films], it feels light, but a serious amount of work goes into ensuring that you cater to the length and breadth of the entire country. Simmba is a potboiler — a thali of romance, action, comedy, and drama. But some of the intense scenes in Simmba will give you goosebumps. I am hopeful that this [Simmba] will change how masala films are seen as a genre in this country.

2018 has been an eventful year with Padmaavat and your wedding with Deepika Padukone How thrilled are you?
I couldn't have asked for more. I am the happiest I have ever been. Everything that has happened this year is beyond my imagination. Accolades and acclaim for Padmaavat were unprecedented. I couldn't have dreamed the bliss life handed out to me. My marriage — Deepika gave me a dream wedding and an even better marriage. She had a vision for everything and worked meticulously on every detail. She gave me a memorable wedding that will be in my heart forever. I feel safe, secure and loved. Something has changed inside me; I am living the dream.

You've also hit your career's highest opening with Simmba...
It is a humbling moment for me. As an artiste, I have always tried to experiment and I'm happy that my content choices are being loved by audiences, who want to see me break the mould every time I come on screen. This record makes my journey in cinema sweeter. I'm overwhelmed with the love that has been poured on Simmba. Rohit has an incredible hit ratio. The success of the film belongs to him and his team who are there for him at all times.

You recently mentioned that Gully Boy was a creatively gratifying experience. Right after Simmba, the film will be premièred at Berlinale [Berlin International Film Festival].
I finished shooting for Gully Boy and Zoya [Akhtar, director] took the film to NYC to edit it. A few days ago, she asked me to redub a few lines. At the studio, I saw the first teaser and it blew my mind. I always wanted to follow Simmba with Gully Boy. I play a boisterous, open, front-footed entertainer in Simmba, but I am more restrained in the other film [more than my Lootera-act]. I had receded into a zone. My character is in every scene, but he is not driving it. It's a reactive performance.

Your career graph showcases the versatile actor in you…
I have always strived for it [to be versatile]. In acting, there's no good or bad. It is an unmeasurable and subjective art form. The best actors are those who have a range. I want to be a chameleon, who changes with every performance.

Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; December 26, 2018)
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Warning! This man has high voltage effect on frenzied fans, the manic media and co-stars alike. A star of the masses. Every breath of his is spent flashing smiles, posing for selfies and even dancing on the streets, in bizarre costumes, if need be. He knows he’s a huge star and it’s his talent and tank of energy that’s got him where he is. And he’s not going to forget that in a hurry. If he shows extra affection publicly for his gorgeous wife Deepika Padukone, it’s probably the way he behaves behind closed doors, too. We believe this man is all heart, even when he’s not playing superstar on screen. Yes, he’s a paradox, too. A masala man in real life and a class actor on reel.

That’s what has them all trippin’. He now forays into potboiler land with Rohit Shetty’s cop drama, Simmba. Well, can you imagine how that combo will turn out? Like the lethal impact from blowing up a dozen hot wheels in one shot… a la Rohit Shetty. In an interview with BT, Ranveer appears super-kicked about his masala drama, but what gets him really emotional is recapping moments from his fairy-tale wedding. That’s our man, always wearing his heart on his sleeve. Read on…

It’s been an interesting year for you. It started with a lot of turmoil (Padmaavat),which you triumphed over. Then, you moved on to the most real episode of your life — your marriage. And lastly, the biggest masala film that you have done, Simmba,is about to release.
Yes, it’s been a wild year, starting with a film which I could say was a legit turning point in my career. I took a risk and the pay-off was bigger. Then, I started shooting for Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy that gave me a chance to explore my musical side. After that, I lost my naani, so that was a low in my life. Now, I am excited about Simmba, as it is my first out-and-out masala film, and being Rohit Shetty’s hero is a big deal for me. It has been an amazing year and I can see an upward graph in my life. Of course, the highlight of the year was my dream wedding. My wife (Deepika Padukone) worked meticulously on making our wedding so special, and I keep telling her that a wedding like this was beyond my dreams. I didn’t even have the vision for something like this. It was the most joyous month of my life, with a lot of tears of happiness. I could not have prayed or asked for anything more than this.

Rohit Shetty’s films have a massy appeal; they play to the gallery with plenty of seeti-taali moments for fans. Zoya Akhtar’s films are more contemporary in style and it’s all about subtlety. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s work is deeply nuanced with every scene perfectly mounted. These are starkly different worlds; does it ever get challenging to slip from one zone to the other?
Yes, it is very difficult. For me, slipping from the Gully Boy mode to Simmba was difficult. I started shooting for Gully Boy long after Padmaavat, so for that transition, I had some time in-between. The former was a quick turnaround. Sometimes, to switch the mode of performance can be tricky. Like you said, if you see Zoya and Rohit’s work, they are two opposite ends of the spectrum. So, the pitch of performance for their characters is also vastly different. I always had an immense amount of confidence in my ability to switch drastically between roles, but it was far tougher than what I thought it would be. Zoya’s character is very quiet and sensitive, and then there’s Simmba, this complete rogue, dil-phek, in-your-face entertainer. Well, that’s also what I love about my work, that the next instalment in my body of work is starkly different from my last work. It’s something I have endeavoured for. That keeda is not leaving me. My belief is, in acting there is no good or bad, there is no better or worse, it is all subjective.

Growing up, according to me, the best actors were the ones who were the most versatile. I admire actors like Daniel Day-Lewis, Sean Penn, Johnny Depp, and Christian Bale, for their sheer range. They have a chameleon like quality where they can be brilliant in any genre. I want to be that actor. I want the audience to think ki yeh banda kuch bhi kar sakta hai. At one point, I am hoping it will be like… chal dikha diya. Sabko pata hai ki tu sabse versatile hai. I believe that a versatile range in one’s repertoire is what constitutes a complete entertainer. I always want to be remembered as a complete entertainer.

We’ve heard that right from childhood, you’ve emulated stars and nurtured dreams of being one some day. You always had that filmi keeda in you?
I wanted to be a hero. I didn’t want to be a star. That macho, larger-than-life hero is something most kids aspire to be. As kids, we would play-act… woh badi toy gun leke, sar pe laal patta bandh ke, we would act like we were one of those heroes who beats up the bad guys and saves the day. I started out wanting to be a Hindi film hero, along the way I matured and aspired to be an actor. Amitabh Bachchan saab, who is one of my greatest inspirations, has given us some extraordinary performances throughout his career, but you will be surprised to know that my favourite films of his were Shahenshah (1988) and Toofan (1989). I was always attracted to such characters and this is the first time I am doing something on those lines with Simmba. The way Rohit Shetty presents his heroes, no one does and he is very proud of that. In the edit, I saw some sequences where he has held the shot for two-three seconds extra. And I turned to him and asked…sir yeh? And he says, ‘Padegi nah, seeti aur taali padegi na yeh shot pe. You need three more seconds to accommodate that’ (laughs!). There is immense panache in the way he shoots and mounts his films.

Given that you have grown up watching full-on Bollywood masala films,it took you a while to make an entry into this genre.
In spite of always wanting to be a masala Hindi film hero, I didn’t want to do it with anybody else; I waited to do it with Rohit Shetty. I believe that he can do it best. During discussions with my core team in the past, we all agreed that one must also do mass-oriented films. And I kept saying that yaar… I don’t want to do it just for the sake of stepping into that genre. If I do a masala film, I will do it with Rohit Shetty, because no one can do it better than him.

There have been some iconic cop characters in our cinema. More recently, Singham and Chulbul Pandey. In fact, even Lakhan (from Ram Lakhan, which is one of your favourite movies), is a bratty cop, who turns over to the good side, much like your character in Simmba. Within this universe, there are bound to be comparisons, common traits and even some trappings, right?
This is Rohit Shetty’s universe and all eyes are on him, as he is making a film that belongs to the same universe. Singham is a cult film, so it’s tough to go above that, and having done it before, his intention was to make it bigger and better. In all literature, there is a lovable rogue archetype. And Simmba is much like that. He is a people pleaser and audience winner. I am confident that I have added enough distinction and nuances to Simmba, to make him a never-seen-before character. Rohit was clear ki Simmba Ranveer Singh nahi lagna chahiye, Bajirao Singham bhi nahin lagna chahiye. Woh Lakhan ya Chulbul Pandey bhi nahin lagna chahiye. We had to work hard to make Simmba distinctive, because a character like this could have so many trappings. Rohit sir told me, ‘Tu apne mann se character bana, tu galat jaayega toh main bataunga’. Even Rohit wants to evolve as a filmmaker. If he has set previous benchmarks for commercial cinema, he wants to set a new benchmark now. I hope people also feel that with Simmba, a new benchmark has been set in the masala genre, because there is a very strong narrative in the film, at the same time, you will not feel that bahut zyada story aa gayi toh Rohit Shetty ka flair kaha gaya. His chaap is fully there.

Sara Ali Khan, your leading lady in the film, made quite a mark with her debut film earlier this month. While talking about Simmba, she was all gung-ho about working with you. She told us, ‘Seeing such a big star work with such dedication and conviction is something that is hard to even find in a newcomer, and this is what one aspires to learn from him’.
Let me tell you, Sara is a born star. Even before her first film released, she appeared on Koffee With Karan and won the hearts of the nation. Certain things like charm and wit that one develops over a period of time, Sara already has those qualities. The other aspect of becoming a superstar, those traits toh she already has. I keep telling her that where you are as a proficient public figure today, it took me eight years to get there. It took me three years to just learn the A-B-C of it. I am glad to know that she is in talks with certain filmmakers, who I believe will further tap her potential as an actor.

You jumped into a whirlwind of promotions right after marriage. It’s been less than a month, but is the feeling sinking in?
Marriage is a life-changing experience, because I feel there has been a change inside of me. There is a feeling of safety, security and love. Recently, when I won the Best Actor award at an event, I told Deepika that if I have been able to achieve anything in the past six years (I’ve been working for eight years, of that we were dating for six years), it is because you have kept me grounded. My breakthrough movies were Lootera (2013) and Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), and by then, we were already dating. Now, the lifelong commitment that we have made to each other has gone to another level.

You were always sure that she was that woman in your life?
Yes, I always knew it was her. We started dating around August 2012, and by December 2012, I knew that she was the woman. I was very convinced, so I always approached the relationship that way. I nurtured and cultivated it with the feeling that this is forever. Let me tell you honestly, two very big things have happened in my life. First, I became an actor and it was a huge thing for me. Second, I married her. And this is what makes me feel like maine life mein kuch kiya hai. Maybe, it’s my good karma or blessings… I know that I have the best life partner in Deepika and I understood early on that it doesn’t get better than her. I have been proven right by myself, as during those six years (when we were dating) kuch bhi ho sakta tha, I could have met someone, but I didn’t meet anyone like her. I haven’t met anyone like her, ever.

Now that so much that you dreamed of has come true, and a lot that you didn’t dream of has also taken shape into reality, is there a sense of achievement and triumph?
When all this happens... there are two possibilities. One, it can go to your head and you can start believing that you are the cat’s whiskers. For me, in last eight years, I have seen lows, too. I never lose memory or sight of that. I have struggled to get the opportunities that I got, and I value it so much more. I understand how rare it is for a boy from nowhere to come this far. The feeling is very precious to me and I never take it for granted. If you don’t respect or value it, it will go away. Sometimes, I can’t believe that I was dancing with Mr Amitabh Bachchan at my wedding. All this love and attention that I get from my fans feel surreal. Where I am coming from and the place where I am in my life today… it all seems like a dream. It is the kind of stuff that storybooks are made of.

Ahead of prepping for '83, Ranveer Singh says bringing sports legend Kapil Dev's story to life is 'exciting as well as daunting'
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 25, 2018)

Even as his Simmba gears up for release later this week, Ranveer Singh has trained his focus on Kabir Khan's '83, the story of how India brought home its first cricket World Cup. "I am here to go all wild," says the actor, who will kick off 2019 with prep for the sports drama. While he will reportedly train in cricket under the sharp eye of the man himself - Kapil Dev - Singh is aware that he is shouldering a huge responsibility in portraying the former skipper on screen.

"Kapil Dev was a force of nature - after he was made captain at 24, he galvanised the team to inculcate the winning mentality [in them]. People adore him, so the characterisation has to be within set parameters. It's exciting as well as daunting," says Singh. It goes without saying that a Kapil Dev act will be incomplete without his trademark outswinger finding a place on celluloid. "The man has an inimitable [bowling] style and it will be a tough job to replicate it completely."

The film marks his first collaboration with Khan. He considers himself privileged to be part of the retelling of one of the glorious chapters of India's sports history.

Singh says he needed little convincing to greenlight the project: "I came on board when there wasn't even a script in place. All Kabir had was a short collection of anecdotes. He told me, '83 ke World Cup se connected yeh chhoti si ek story sun lo.' Just after the first anecdote, I knew this was an unbelievable story. It has never been captured on celluloid because it's such a mammoth undertaking. Credit is due to our producers who are putting their bets on this project."

Meena Iyer (DNA; December 19, 2018)

Ranveer Singh has dominated 2018. He began the year with Padmaavat, which earned him accolades for his inimitable take as Alauddin Khilji, the antagonist. His popularity has witnessed a meteoric rise and this is validated by the fact that he endorses nothing less than 26 brands! Be it Rohit Shetty, Karan Johar or Kabir Khan, everyone has a script ready for this ‘lion cub’. And though he is too modest to actually spell it out, his contemporaries have been feeling ‘the heat’ from his growing stardom. Last month, the 33-year-old hit a personal high when he got married to his sweetheart and Bollywood’s numero uno actress Deepika Padukone. And even as he readies himself for his first ‘in and as’ role, the Young Turk gives us his undiluted view on why masala movies are what he always craved. Excerpts from our conversation:

Who is more energetic, Ranveer Singh or Simmba?
Simmba definitely has more energy. I have poured the best of me into him. It was a big one for me when Rohit Shetty offered me this part as it’s my first ‘in and as’ role. ‘Ranveer Singh in and as Simmba’ is a big high (smiles). To be Rohit’s leading man is a huge opportunity. I always wanted to do a film in the masala space. However, I didn’t want to do it with anyone other than him because no one can do it quite like him. So, I waited patiently. And I’m happy that my first foray into this space is with the Master himself. I always knew that Rohit sir had this intention of wanting to make a franchise like this one. This is the first one. That’s why, the character gets established here. You can’t just wake up one day and be a leading man in a Rohit Shetty film. You have to earn your stripes. You need to have a certain amount of equity to qualify and be in that position.

But you had done three Sanjay Leela Bhansali movies — Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram Leela (2013), Bajirao Mastani (2015) and Padmaavat (2018) — before this. Don’t you think those films had already added to your equity?
Of course, they did. It was only because I was coming from there that I got this opportunity. Actually, it was after Bajirao Mastani that Rohit sir offered me this film. We had worked on a commercial when he felt this kid (me) had some potential and spoke to me about Simmba. I jumped at the opportunity. I had always told him, “Sir, if you ever have anything for me, I would love to do it.” For me, this movie is the Holy Grail in terms of pleasing the patrons. It’s a front-footed, mass entertainer. Because his cinematic language is so viewer friendly, Rohit sir has this ability to encompass a wide spectrum of the audience. He is a grounded man, so he’s connected to the grassroots. He is aware about it because he also understands the mass medium of television as he is a big TV star himself. He’s able to entertain and his track record is so consistent because he has an understanding of the common man. Like he had this dialogue in Chennai Express (2013) that said, ‘Don’t underestimate the power of the common man.’ So, he’s someone who believes in giving the people what they want.

Rohit said something similar about you being grounded and absolutely down-to-earth. 
I thank Rohit sir (smiles).

Did you observe changes around yourself in the last two years? After all, you’ve been riding the wave. 
Post the release of Padmaavat, it’s been amazing. Everything that followed it has been magical. I could sense a change. I felt it immediately after Padmaavat because of the kind of character (Alauddin Khilji) I played and the kind of film it was. So, it did change a lot of things for me. Suddenly, I saw a spike in everything — in terms of appreciation and popularity. Padmaavat was a major turning point of my career. It was a shot in the arm. I played a character who was vastly different from anything I had done before or anyone from my generation had done and the film achieved what it did. It was a huge boost. I will not deny that I could feel the change almost immediately as I started getting better offers. Business-wise, too, my value had increased. Everything changed after Padmaavat and I’m eternally indebted to Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir for this. After my debut in Band Baaja Baaraat (2010), Lootera and Ram Leela released in 2013. This was followed by Dil Dhadakne Do and Bajirao Mastani in 2015. Now, there’s Padmaavat and Simmba in the same year. So in a way, all of these have been turning points.

The year has been amazing in many more ways. You get to go home to one of the prettiest girls in the world…
For me, the highlight of this year is my marriage to Deepika (Padukone). She has liked whatever she has seen of Simmba. She loves Aankh Marey. On my birthday (July 6), my family and Deepika visited me on the sets in Hyderabad and Rohit sir was kind enough to show them some portions, which she loved. Usually, she is extremely critical of my work, but she liked what she saw of Simmba. She said, ‘This is masala done really well.’ Deepika doesn’t like every look of mine. In real life, she wasn’t sure whether this moustache with its twirled edges would work for me, but she knew it worked wonderfully for the character of Simmba. She thought I was looking fit and hot. And I was happy to hear that (smiles).

Ranbir Kapoor, Varun Dhawan or Ranveer Singh, who is the biggest star currently?
I have no idea. It’s not something I mull over. This is not something I will or should comment on. This is more of a question for analysts or media experts. I appreciate the work that both these fine actors are doing.

I thought Ranbir was amazing in Sanju and Varun did a fantastic job in October as well as Sui Dhaaga: Made In India. It’s important that this generation of young actors delivers quality performances. Each of us must be a part of quality films that are credible and do well commercially because all of us collectively are the new guard. It’s important that we start notching numbers in order to sustain the business. At the same time, we have the responsibility of ensuring that our cinema evolves. You must remember that any one of us — Ranbir, Varun, Tiger Shroff, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao or Vicky Kaushal and me — or all those talented actors out there are going to do it on our own. It is a collective process and it will be done by all of us. I have had the fortune to see what Tiger can do. He is an outstanding artiste and he is a mass-oriented phenomenon. The way he fights or the way he dances is unique. I appreciate and applaud what he does. There is a whole new bunch of actors who are committed to doing good work. And that’s a positive sign for the future of our industry.

The filmmakers with whom you have worked and your co-actors say that Ranveer spells excitement. Why is that?
I am extraordinarily enthusiastic about my work. That could be the reason why my directors kindly say that I’m exciting. I approach my work with zeal irrespective of the scene. It could be an action scene, a comic one, a song or a dramatic one, I just go for it. I love the creative process of cinema. I feel energised by it and perhaps that’s the reason they feel I’m excitable or excited (whichever word you choose to describe me with). I never go to set jaded. I look forward to each day and wish to make the most of it. My goal is simple — I believe in giving my film all I have.

Every day you do something different on set and the beauty of it is that’s such a refreshing thing. It keeps me invigorated, stimulated and charged. I’m glad that despite doing films back to back, there is so much variety in the work that I’ve been offered.

Will you write or direct?
I will surely explore other avenues of my creativity. However, as of now, just being a performer is so exciting that I am realising that firstly, the craft (acting) is limitless and secondly, I hardly know anything about it as yet. I am constantly exploring to see what is next. Even I do not know what I have to offer. I’m always asking myself what more can I give to this role? What else do I have in my arsenal as an actor? How much more versatile can I be?

How many different characters can I play? Right now, it’s an exciting time in the gamut of acting itself. I eagerly look forward to working with Kabir Khan on ’83 and with Karan Johar for Takht. Just the thought of what I will get to do in these films and the characters that I’ll essay blows my mind.

Glad to channel the masala hero inside him in Simmba, Ranveer Singh says filmography would be incomplete without collaboration with hitmaker Rohit Shetty
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; December 18, 2018)

It has been a packed day for Ranveer Singh, who has been promoting his upcoming action comedy, Simmba. But he does not mind the frenetic pace - by his own admission, the actor has been "waiting" to be the hero of a Rohit Shetty film. After all, combine the director's mass appeal with Singh's gregarious style and irrepressible energy, and you get the recipe for a box-office blockbuster.

"We did an ad together after which Rohit offered me this film. No one knows this space better than him. You have to earn a Rohit Shetty film. I hope Simmba becomes what we are hoping for it to become, and may there be a string of sequels to it," says Singh of the action comedy that sees him as an unscrupulous cop, Sangram Bhalerao.

His filmography may include many a mainstream movie, but the actor has rarely done a masala potboiler complete with over-the-top action sequences and massy dialogues. It's not surprising when Singh says that he jumped aboard as soon as Shetty mentioned the film. "When I was dubbing for our ad, Rohit said, 'I have a story for you.' I said yes, without pausing to think about it. He gave me a freehand to build this character. You can't question Rohit's films' entertainment value; he has a flair for films mounted on a large scale. His cinematic language is audience-friendly. That's why, he has the most consistent track record amongst his peers."

Singh points out how the first song - Aankh Marey - is already a chartbuster. "I have had some big songs in the past, be it Khalibali, Tune Maari Entriyaan or Tattad Tattad. But this one has blown up. It is important for a mainstream actor to have such songs in his repertoire."

BOMBAY TIMES (August 10, 2018)

Ranveer Singh, who has worked with Zoya Akhtar in Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), recently wrapped up the director’s next, Gully Boy. The film, which features Alia Bhatt opposite Ranveer, has been inspired by the lives of Mumbai’s street rappers Vivian Fernandes aka Divine and Naved Shaikh aka Naezy.

All praise for his director, Ranveer says that she is different from the other filmmakers he has worked with so far. He shares, “What you admire about Zoya is that her homework is thorough and the casting is bang on. She works with actors prior to the shoot, so when they come on floors, everyone knows what we are aiming to achieve. In Zoya’s film, from the lead cast to the most junior artiste, everyone has been specifically cast. If there is a scene where there are 15 other people, they are all contributing in character to the scene. It makes the process and the shot richer. It is different from many other sets, where you are exploring what to do on the set itself. The process of Gully Boy has been a very reactive mode of performance. A lot of things are happening to the character; it is a classic case of my performance being constructed by my co-actors.”