I’ve learnt where to draw the line: Ranveer Singh

Right from the outset of his career, Ranveer Singh has been one of the most outspoken and brazen actors in the industry — a quality that has got him into trouble more often than not. Be it his now-on-now-off liaisons, an outrageous sense of style or his shooting off the mouth tendencies, he has been a newsmaker through and through. Ranveer shot into stardom with his very first film, and he kept up the rhythm with pitch perfect performances in every film that followed. He has made an effort not to stick to a mould — some experiments worked, some didn’t. But despite being an ‘outsider’ in an industry full of high priests, this young actor has successfully cemented his position as a sought after name in the industry. Recent times, however, have witnessed a more tempered version of him, especially during his interactions with the media. He doesn’t deny that, as he settles down to have a freewheeling chat with us. In fact, before we could even begin the interview, Ranveer takes my phone and clicks a selfie. “Now we can start,” he says, officially flagging off the chat.

Over the next hour, he decoded his own personality for us, spoke about films, his co-stars, his mentor Sanjay Leela Bhansali and much more. Excerpts from the interview:

You seem to be a changed man in front of the media these days — a bit more diplomatic perhaps. Would you agree I will tell you what has happened. I have understood something about myself — which is where to draw the line between being a public figure and protecting my personal space. It took me time but I have learnt that if there are certain things I don’t want to share, I don’t have to. But I am still a very open person who will perhaps end up speaking about 90 per cent of the stuff. I am not someone who can be easily offended. The only thing that annoys me is when something gets printed without me verifying it and that happens too often. I don’t know much about how the media should function but I know it’s common sense to fact check before printing. At least give me the option to tell you my side of the story.

Bajirao Mastani is your second film with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. What’s the best and worst thing about working with him I don’t think there is any other director who is as collaborative as him in his process — that’s the best part. Every choice you make as an actor is borne out of your own instinct. He allows you to interpret the lines the way you want to, and he’ll only correct you if something is off. He didn’t interfere when I spent three weeks in isolation to prepare. That is how much he trusts you. He leaves so much room for evolution. Worst thing if you ask me, I’d say, what works best can be the worst too. You never know what he wants as most times he also doesn’t know what he wants. He is also exploring, discovering. It’s a beautiful process but it can become a very high-pressure job. Sometimes he decides on the spot what he wants you to say, and you have five minutes before the camera starts rolling. But then he will do everything in his power to help you live up to the challenge.

How was it like working with Deepika and Priyanka Did you feel sandwiched between the two No, we shot most of the portions separately and I have a standing working equation with both of them, I understand them and their working styles, having worked with them previously.

Speaking of Deepika, even though you have not acknowledged your relationship in public, what do you have to say about former lovers working together I think you have to recognise it for what it is, a professional working relationship and there’s no more to it.

Back to Bajirao..., you vanished for three weeks to prepare for the role I would have ideally wanted to leave town but I stayed in a hotel, because Mr Bhansali required me to come to office every now and then. The process of getting into the character was up to me — how far you want to get into the rabbit hole. I had to leave the familiarity behind — leave home, stop talking to friends, stay away from everything that brings you back to being Ranveer. I hit the gym to physically prepare myself, sit with my accent coach for hours till either of us got bored. I read a lot, watched Marathi movies, and watched the making of warrior epics, read my script over and over again. I would even do bizarre stuff like walk around the room trying different voices, different walking styles, postures. I would even record my voice and try to add a distinct character to it, so when you see me on screen you only see Peshwa Bajirao.

When you dedicate so many days to a film, do you feel like you are losing out on other projects Isn’t it a big gamble And what if it doesn’t pay off Yes it is a gamble, everything is. But truth is, and I mean this, that regardless of what happens on or after December 18, I think I have already got my reward — in having gone through the process and growing as an artist. It has been difficult, bloody and demanding but also enriching and fulfilling. I believe in the philosophy, that process is the price. If the movie does well, that will be the icing on the cake.

What can Bollywood take from Hollywood We have long way to go till we match their infrastructure. Most importantly, we need to learn from how much they value their writers — they are very well paid in Hollywood. We don’t value our writers that much. There is a dearth of original material here. Everything is a remake of something else. Nobody is really putting pen to paper and fleshing out fresh ideas. Here, it is still a small portion of our population that goes to the theatre to watch films. We need to change that by making better films to draw the audiences. It’s becoming a tedious process to go and watch a film in a cinema hall, and we have to make it pleasurable for everybody.

Will you ever go behind the camera I definitely want to explore other avenues in the process of filmmaking. I have tremendous love and respect for people who are part of multiple aspects of filmmaking. Charlie Chaplin, Woody Allen, Mel Gibson, Guru Dutt, Kishore Kumar and now, someone like Farhan — they act, write, direct, produce. They are my heroes I want to explore my creativity in all these various avenues, but not right now. I don’t feel the instinct or the impulse to do it yet. When the keeda bites me, I will go for it. Right now I am happy just acting. I see myself evolving. It’s a beautiful process. I aspire to do more soon, but not yet.