Ranveer Singh: The uninhibited hero

We catch up with the one and only Ranveer Singh as he marches forth to the theatres in epic saga Bajirao Mastani this weekend.

Ranveer Singh is known for his flamboyance, his histrionics, his outlandish costumes and general love for song and dance. That is home territory for director Sanjay Leela Bhansali whose movies are poetic and mystical. So it comes as no wonder that Ranveer is playing the lead role in Sanjay's most ambitious project Bajirao Mastani with Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra. Bajirao Mastani is an Indian historical romantic drama that narrates the story of the Maratha warrior Peshwa Bajirao I of the Maratha Empire and his second wife Mastani. Ranveer and Deepika portray the title role and Priyanka plays Bajirao's dutiful first wife Kashibai. After scorching the screen with their steaming chemistry in Goliyon Ki Raasleela - Ram Leela, Ranveer and Deepika are back to sizzle once again on the big screen, but this time, they face tough completion from Shah Rukh Khan's Dilwale that releases on the same day. Ranveer spoke to City Times over the phone from Mumbai about the biggest project of his career.
When were you offered Bajirao Mastani?
I was offered this film when I was shooting Gunday. During Ram Leela we had a very fleeting discussion about the film and the character. I don't think Mr Bhansali was sure that that's what he was going to make next so it didn't really go forward at the time. During the shoot of Gunday, I remember I had gone across to his office to meet him. That's when he told me.
Considering your personality, did you break into a dance when you were about to sign Bajirao Mastani?
I had a hint that there was this possibility. Frankly, I was very happy to do a back-to-back film with Mr Bhansali. He has brought out the best in me in Ram Leela. I am not sure Ram Leela had released at that time but the experience was so mind-blowing and I knew there is this film called Bajirao Mastani which is his life-long dream. He has lived with this film for twelve years and had always wanted to make it. So I was excited that he wanted to make his passion project with me. But I didn't know anything about the character. Only when I got the narration did I break into a dance because, what an amazing film, what an amazing story and the role of a lifetime. So I remember that I was in tears during the narration. He was waiting outside the room for my reaction and he was so nervous as to what I was going to think of his script and the story. I think he smoked two dozen cigarettes standing outside, and I went outside and give him a big hug and we went to this beautiful terrace in his office and spoke more about the film.
What were your reference points to prepare for the character of a warrior?
When I heard the script, I knew that this is a very distinct character that I will have to embody. I locked myself in a hotel room for three weeks before the start of the shooting of the film and that was my prep process. I read somewhere that even Heath Ledger followed this approach for his role as the Joker, by cutting himself off from familiar surroundings and he'd worked on the character, which is kind of what I attempted. I just locked myself up and morning to night I was just working on the character. I would work out in the morning to change my physicality to look like a warrior; my accent coach would come over, I would go through many films and other research materials the direction team had compiled for me. I would do my homework like a good boy. Morning to late night, I would just be working on my character, reading the script over and over, working on my accent in many details, working on new body language, the way of standing, sitting and walking. I did three weeks of self-directed workshops.
What was the generic mood on the sets?
Mr Bhansali first makes you part of his movies because he believes in you and then he challenges you and pushes you beyond the expectation of yourself. He tries to get something out of you that is rare. Working with Priyanka and Deepika, and all other cast and crew was so full of creativity. With Mr Bhansali, the process is the price. Regardless what happens on or after December 17, I have already been rewarded by going through this experience with him, working under him and other actors; Priyanka with her versalitity and how she can be Alex Parrish (Quantico) and Kashibai at the same time. She is one of the most immensely talented actors of our time.
Deepika, who I believe is one of the finest actors that we have and she's going through, touch wood, such a golden phase as an actor. Her creative impulses are so strong, to do Piku and Tamasha and to be Mastani in the same year, that is just wonderful. I would just say that it was a privilege to work with people who are so accomplished in the film and they add value to my work.
When you go into new roles, do you do so with the confidence that you will pull it off or you enter with anxiety, whether or not you will be able to this?
I have never felt confident going into a film (laughs). I feel an almost overwhelming sense of anxiety when I am approaching a part. The thing is I never really understand the character till the camera actually starts rolling and till I actually play out a few scenes on the day of the shoot. Before that its just questions and questions.
This time, I felt more anxious than any other occasion. I had done months of preparation, but it was still such a daunting challenge to portray the kind of layers this character had. At the back of my mind, it's wonderful to know that you have somebody like Bhansali at the helm, you know that at the end of the day, you have them to fall back on. It is important to have a nurturing director to guide you through.
Was it the emotional demand or physical pressure that was tougher on you?
I think there are three kinds of pressures - mental, physical and emotional. I think this film was an emotionally demanding experience for me. I was happy to do it, it helped me grow as an actor and helped me learn a lot. As demanding, consuming, and exhausting training processes can be, it is equally fulfilling. It is a wonderful feeling when you complete a scene or a schedule and then when you see the result, you feel happy.
arti@khaleejtimes.com

Ranveer Singh answers fans' questions:
Neha Bhargava - @Nehab01: Anything that you discovered about yourself while playing Bajirao?
Ranveer: I know Neha from Dubai, I have met her. Well, I learnt that acting is really more difficult that I thought. In my own naivete, I underestimated what it means to be an actor and a performer. Even I didn't realise that it takes so much work and it is so demanding and can be all consuming. The biggest thing I learnt through that process is my own shortcoming, limitation and weak point. My weakness as an actor became very evident to me after doing Bajirao Mastani. There are so many aspects of myself that I want to work on.
@xhameex: Did you secretly want to dance along with the ladies in Pinga?
Ranveer: Absolutely, yes, 100%. When Anushka Sharma was doing her dance in Dil Dhadakne Do, I wanted to dance, when Deepika was doing Deewani Mastani, I wanted to dance, when girls were doing Pinga, I was not there. I had broken my shoulder, I was sitting at home to nurse that. I wanted to dance with them also. Basically, I just want to dance all the time. I want to work more on my dancing and my physical conditioning. Fortunately, I danced a lot in Malhari from Bajirao Mastani, so I have done all my dancing in that song. Whenever there is a song and dance sequence happening, and if I am not required to dance, I feel very left out.
Veda Guru @VedaGuru29: This is your second time with Deepika, how would you describe her on-screen & off-screen & as a co-star?
Ranveer: I am very happy for all the success that she has seen in recent times and I think she absolutely deserves it because I witnessed it first hand by working with her. She works very hard. She doesn't let the effort show. She deserves all the success as she has come a long way as an actor and blossomed into one of the finest actors that we have. I think she is stupendous in Piku and in Tamasha and in Bajirao Mastani as well. I am very blessed, honoured and privileged to have the opportunity to work with her in her most golden phase.