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If one could associate anxiety with Ranveer Singh, it would have been for his recently released Bajirao Mastani.
It was his most epic film yet.
He had to shave off his hair.
He had to master the Marathi accent.
But, most important of all, he was going up against the masters of the box office, Shah Rukh Khan and and Rohit Shetty, whose Dilwale released the same day.
But Ranveer and the Bajirao team have reason to cheer. Even though Dilwale beat them at the box office, Bajirao -- and especially Ranveer -- has come in for much praise and is coast on positive word-of-mouth reviews.
No wonder Ranveer can't hide his euphoria in this interview with Rajul Hegde/Rediff.com.
Your hard work has finally paid off.
The response has been phenomenal. We did work really hard. I don't know how to react.
I went to Chandan cinema (in Juhu, a western Mumbai suburb) and watched the film with the audience and that was it. There is no greater high than watching your film with the audience.
When Malhari (the song) began, everybody started dancing, whistling and clapping.
Nobody knew I was there; I just sneaked into the stall. People were glued to the screen; when they came out during the interval, I greeted them all. They were screaming my name and it was like this film has *** erupted (smiles)
After Bajirao Mastani, do you think you are one of the most bankable actors in the new generation of actors?
I think our friends from the trade are saying that. I can't because it's not my place or position to say it.
But it's good if the trade is positioning me like that. It's a positive thing and I am very happy about it because I always found it to be empowering.
I would like to attach myself to certain subjects and projects and bring them automatically into the mainstream. Now that the leap has happened, I am empowered to make brave choices so I am excited.
How important is it for your film to do better than Dilwale, which released the same day?
My concerns are limited to my film.
I have invested too much emotionally in this film. I am not concerned about anything else other than the audiences's emotions towards my performance.
If you see me furiously looking through my phone at this point, believe me, I am not tracking numbers.
I am looking for what people are writing. When people take specific aspects and elaborate on them, you know it has really connected.
Some of them have watched the film multiple times. I have watched it four times and there are people who have watched it 15 times already. It gives me that tingly feeling.
A three-week open run should be good for both films. There is time and space for both.
I will watch Dilwale as soon as I get the time.
The numbers are rising steadily and at an amazing pace for Bajirao Mastani. People are calling me and praising the film. They are saying, more than a film, it's an experience.
In a public review, people said Shah Rukh is a bigger star but Ranveer has emerged as a bigger actor.
(Pauses) Zeher milega (Will I get some poison)?
No no. SRK has too much depth and range as an actor. Whatever we have seen of Mr Khan is just the tip of the iceberg.
I said this recently about Kareena too, but it got misconstrued in the media. She is so talented.
They are proper actors and hence they are stars. They can connect to people's hearts.
It is unfortunate that both films released on the same day. The comparisons were inevitable. But there are no comparisons (between SRK and Ranveer).
The man's contribution to Hindi cinema is unparalleled. There has never been anyone like him. I was hanging out with him yesterday. He is still so humble and grounded. The way he met me when I was a newcomer, he still meets me the same way, with an equal amount of love and warmth.
We don't discuss films or performances. We talk shit! We talk random rubbish. I mean I can't reveal... He is hilarious and fun to hang out with. He has achieved greatness.
I have worked for five years and he has worked for 25 years, which is five times the amount of work I have done.
Has Aditya Chopra seen Bajirao Mastani?
He has.
I don't think he likes me to tell people what he tells me. We were talking over the phone... For the first time, he was fumbling for words. He did not know what to say. Then he said, 'I am very proud of you.'
You received a hand written note from Amitabh Bachchan appreciating your performance in Bajirao Mastani.
Yes. I received my first award for Bajirao Mastani -- a handwritten note from Mr Bachchan.
Among young actors like Parineeti (Chopra), Deepika (Padukone), Kangana (Ranaut), it's become a thing. 'Tujhe mila kya (Have you got it)?'.
It's become a barometer for a performance. All the trophies I have won are on display in my house. When Mr Bachchan sends a letter, I get it framed and send it to the bank to keep in the locker.
What kind of preparation are you doing for Befikre?
Bajirao Mastani is a mammoth film and I had three weeks to prepare for it. Aditya Chopra has given me three months to prepare for a light rom-com like Befikre.
My first question was, 'Adi, do we need so much of prep work for this? (laughs)'. It is a light, breezy romantic film. We start shooting next month.
It's a huge deal for me to be working with Adi. He has only worked with SRK and for me to be selected as his muse is a big deal. I owe my career to him.
The people around Adi then told him, 'You have lost it. Just because your films are flopping, why are you taking this boy?' Adi told them, 'You guys need to ***. I know what I have found. I am launching him. The sooner you guys accept it, the better it is'. He had the conviction to back me."
I was literally out of nowhere. Adi told me that, in my first audition for Band Baaja Baraat, he saw my entire career unfolding in a flash. He saw that much potential in me in my first shot. I owe my career to him.
You shared a video where Deepika (Padukone) was seen shaving your moustache.
I had kept the Bajirao look for 14 months. Now, the choti (ponytail) has been cut off. The moustache I had grown for six to eight months is gone as well.
I didn't have the heart to take it out myself. So I asked her (Deepika) to do it.
She cut out my pony tail and it came away in one piece I have kept it in a box. It's a sovereign from Bajirao (smiles).
I was very attached to my moustache. I feel very naked without it. It will take me some time to get used to the new look.
Do you think love triangles are messy?
I have been part of love triangles, sometimes at the losing end. I know what it feels like. In one significant love triangle, *** I was Kashibai. I was Kashibai, don't ask me more. Maine bahut dard sahe hai. Thi ek mahotarma jinki shaadi hogyi aur unke bacche bhi hain (I have seen lot in life. There was a girl... she is now married and has kids).
Would you like to do a biopic?
I would like to do a biopic on Bhagat Singh, but couple of movies have already been made. Maybe, we could look at another aspect of Bhagat Singh's life.