Ranveer Singh’s super exclusive interview – Must read!

At 33, Ranveer Singh has many milestones to celebrate. Two mega hits in 2018, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat, and Rohit Shetty’s Simmba. Coming up are Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy in which he has rapped four songs, and Kabir Khan’s 83, where he plays the legendary Kapil Dev. One can only admire the actor’s spend-it-all precision and steely resolve to excel at making memorable characters. There’s the Ranveer who grew up on-screen, and then there is the Ranveer who matured alongside the screen who says, “I never forget or lose sight of the core of my profession, which is building characters during the time between action and cut. There are so many distractions in the form of frills that come with the job. I focus on bettering myself as a performer, knowing that peripherals will follow and fall into place”.

His awakening this deep into his career includes his six-year relationship with sweetheart and now wife Deepika Padukone. “I’ve been working for eight years in the Hindi film industry, and six out of those eight years, I have been with Deepika. There is a lot I have learnt from her as a professional,” he says. And with the wedding only just behind them, the pair is in the happiest phase of their lives. Edited excerpts from an exclusive interview just a few weeks after their fairytale wedding:

Textured suit: Varoin Marwah | Printed long shirt: Rajesh Pratap Singh | Shoes: Coach | Sunglasses: Gucci

You are in the best phase of your life. What’s been the happiest moment of 2018?

I have not felt this kind of joy in my adult life. The last few weeks (referring to the wedding celebrations that were held in Lake Como, Italy, Bengaluru and Mumbai in November and December) have been magical. The year was full of highs and very few lows. I started the year with Padmaavat which became a huge hit and got me unimaginable accolades for my performance. And then went on to have a satisfying collaboration with Zoya Akhtar and Alia Bhatt on Gully Boys which is special, since it’s set against the indigenous hip-hop scene of Mumbai. Right after that, I shot the entertainer Simmba. So the creative fulfilment last year reached another level altogether. The highlight however, had to be my dream wedding. I couldn’t have imagined having these kind of wedding celebrations. The kind of vision Deepika had, her meticulously executing it, and the way it manifested for us gave me the ultimate happiness. November was an emotional month; full of joy, tears of happiness, and beautiful memories with family, friends and colleagues, which is going to last us for a lifetime.

What’s the first thing Bollywood’s brightest star did after waking up this morning?

I gave my wife a kiss. It’s the best way to start your day. And then I gave her some more kisses. I rushed into the shower afterwards. I had coconut water and almonds before rushing out of the door.

Your film Simmba addresses the issue of rape and sexual violence that shakes the country from time to time. Do you think it’s important to hold a mirror to society through films?

Films are often a reflection of society and Rohit Shetty highlighted an issue that makes all of us angry today. Having said that, this is a film and it should be viewed simply like that. As an actor, I would love to do various kinds of cinema. In this artistic journey, if some of my films bring focus to social issues, why not?

What was your reaction to the story of Simmba when it was first narrated to you? Did you ask Deepika about her experience of filming with Rohit Shetty?

I wanted to work with Rohit Shetty because he is the king of the masala genre. He has made some of my favourite masala films – Singham, Chennai Express and Golmaal 3. But in order to mount his film on my shoulder, I had to earn my stripes. We shot an ad film together in Hyderabad, and while I was dubbing for it, he said he would like to make a film with me. I said yes to him on the spot. Having shot the film, I can say that the experience has been better, and the process more challenging than I thought it would be. I tried to find out from Deepika what her experience with him was, as I was curious to know the process. Our experiences were very different, and I put that down to the different kind of films we did. There was some similarity though. Rohit and his team block scenes for the next day down to the minutest detail.

Velvet jacket: Dinkar Aneja | Plaid jacket: Dhruv Kapoor | Striped pants: Anake from Curato

You started 2018 with an epic drama where you played the anti-hero. Your character in Simmba had grey shades too. Have you been getting drawn to flawed characters lately?

I have always been drawn to flawed characters. They are more interesting, have more complexities, and that makes the process of creating such characters on screen more enriching and exciting. Goody-two-shoes characters don’t excite me.

Do you have any favourite anti-heroes from yesteryear movies?

There have been some extraordinary performances like Malcolm McDowell’s Alex in A Clockwork Orange, Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight, Amrish Puri’s Mogambo in Mr India and Amjad Khan’s Gabbar in Sholay.

You have had an amazing journey at the movies. What do you attribute your success and popularity to?

The day I dreamt of becoming an actor, I never thought things would be as big as they are now. I’m doing the best films and working with the finest filmmakers. The adulation I enjoy is something I can hardly believe, which is why I don’t take things for granted. I would credit my success and popularity to the fact that I do my work honestly. I do it very sincerely, and keep my eyes on the prize. I never forget or lose sight of the core of my profession, which is building characters during the time between action and cut. There are so many distractions in the form of frills that come with the job. Sometimes I see it in peers, that peripherals and frills start taking precedence over the core. I focus on bettering myself as a performer, knowing that peripherals will follow and fall into place. It happened to me once when I didn’t prioritise the core work. One of my best friends opened my eyes to it, and shook me up.

Are there any words that you live by now?

Be kind. Work hard. And stay humble. I’ve written this on the dry erase board in my vanity van. I just follow that in everything I do, and I guess it’s working.

Who are the people who keep you grounded and focused?

I have a small circle of family and friends. Deepika, my sister Ritika, and my friends Navzar, Karan and Rohan make that circle. These are people who are very honest with me. If I’m doing lousy work, behaving badly or out of line, they will tell me. Deepika has also been a grounding force. I’ve been working for eight years in the Hindi film industry, and six out of those eight years, I have been with Deepika. There is a lot I have learnt from her as a professional. There’s mom and dad. I can never do anything wrong in my mother’s eyes, but my dad gives me a rap if I’m out of line. Aditya Chopra is my guide and mentor. He is always there for me. Whenever I have a moral dilemma or career decisions to make, these are the people I turn to for advice.

Do you remember Aditya Chopra’s words to you when Band Baaja Baaraat was releasing?

He said, “Brother, if this doesn’t work, you can go back to dancing at parties”. I got a dream break as I was launched in a solo hero YashRaj film.

And what were his words to you and Deepika at your wedding reception in Mumbai in December?

He said some wonderful things. He thought that Deepika and my wedding celebrations were held in a very dignified way. He was very appreciative of the fact that it was inclusive. He also pointed out to us that whether we realise it or not, when two young people who are perceivably on the top of their game, make a commitment of marriage, it reinstates belief in the institution of marriage for many young people.

Your equation with the brands you endorse is also unique. You got your team to go after a condom brand that never had a brand ambassador, and sign you on. How does it feel to have 22 brands under your belt?

It’s because of my advertising background (he was a copywriter) that I’m very involved in my advertising equity. I’m creatively interested and go about my endorsements very differently from most actors. My attitude towards it is not, “Oh, it’s just an ad”. I give my 100 per cent to it. If I’m the brand ambassador, I will be the best brand ambassador there can be. I will always over deliver and go the extra mile. I didn’t have any brands in the first three or four years of my career. I had an avalanche of offers after Band Baaja Baaraat, but I made some poor decisions and didn’t take them up. It was only after Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela that I started to get opportunities, and started to value it. I told myself I will deliver the best I can as a brand ambassador, and not be like other actors who view it as a side thing. I want to know prior to shooting what the creative is. If the brand wants, I like to give my creative inputs for no extra charge. Other actors crib to me that I’m spoiling brands and doing so much extra. Truth is, I don’t know any other way to do it.

You have also been penning songs and rapping for your upcoming film Gully Boy. What inspires you today?

Inspiration can come from anywhere. I just whip out my phone, click on notes and start typing away. The lyrics just flow. Being born and raised in Mumbai, the city and its culture are dear to me. I always had a knack for writing rhymes. I was called the rhyme expert during my stint at JWT (J Walter Thompson) Mumbai. So if anyone wanted a jingle in C rhyme scheme, they would come to me. I’ve been a fan of hip-hop since I was in my third or fourth grade. I could rap a whole bunch of songs. People are very amused now, but I have grown up on the music of The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Dr Dre, Eminem and Snoop Dogg. I was very allured by the hip-hop culture. And then I discovered the world of hip-hop coming out of Mumbai, which is fascinating. The film is about these boys who write about their life in the slums. They have grown up seeing some hard times and they write poetic verse about it, which has the potential to impact social change. I play a budding musician in the film. Zoya (the director) was not initially sure if I could rap with the finesse she wanted, but she soon realised I’m a rapper. I have sung four songs for the album, and collaborated with Divine (rapper Vivian Fernandes) and Ankur.

Velvet jacket: Dinkar Aneja | Plaid jacket: Dhruv Kapoor | Striped pants: Anake from Curato

You will play the iconic Kapil Dev in your new film 83. Have you started preparing?

It is going to be difficult to execute his bowling action. While visiting the Lords Cricket Ground in August last year to watch the India vs England Test match, I told Sachin (Tendulkar) how excited I was to play Kapil Dev. He said, “Whaaat? You are going to do the bowling by yourself? All the best!” When you sign up for a biopic like this, you will have to match Kapil Dev’s unique style. To become somebody’s mirror image comes with its set of challenges. I know I will do enough homework to create an illusion of Kapil Dev. I’m feeling good about it, and looking forward to doing that homework. And I’m looking forward to putting on my pads and batting again. I love cricket. It was purely for logistical reasons that a film on the 1983 Cricket World Cup win was not made till now, because, to get sign-offs from so many people associated with this historical event was a mammoth task. But finally, somebody was able to do it. Both, Kabir (Khan) Sir and I, are happy that we have been entrusted with the responsibility of capturing this historic event on celluloid.

When you are not filming, where can one find you?

As soon as I get a chance, I go and brush up on my deejaying skills. Apart from that, I love playing video games. FIFA is my favourite video game. I watch football on weekends. I enjoy working out, playing sports and keeping fit.

Earlier in the interview, you told us how Deepika planned your dream wedding. What were your creative inputs?

I established at the very beginning of the preparations, that I would be curating the music for all the events. At least a dozen people told me that it was the best music they had heard at a wedding. Nobody wanted to leave the dance floor. The parties went on till 8.30 am in the morning. I worked on it for nearly a year. I’m proud of the playlists I put together.

You have been married for several weeks now. Would you recommend it to your friends?

I’m loving it and highly recommend it. I have been married to Deepika in my head for years now. Just a few months into our relationship, I knew she was the one for me, and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I had committed my life to her well before the rituals. I was waiting for her to be ready for it.

Waistcoat and dinner jacket: Dinkar Aneja | Polo neck: Canali | Embroidered pants: Sahil Kochhar | Sunglasses: Kuboraum

Ranveer Singh fills in the blanks:

In my refrigerator, you will find… Pod Supply containers. They customise six meals for me every day. Chocolates, even though they’re not good for me. Dessert wine.

In my bathroom cabinet, I have… Face wash. Face cream. Deodorant. I use the brands I endorse.

On my bedside table, I have… Water. Phone charger. Hair band.

I carry these items in my wallet… Debit and credit cards. Government ID.

The newest thing in my wardrobe is… An expensive Alexander McQueen tiger stripe jacket, that I wore at one of my wedding receptions.

Velvet suit: Sahil Aneja | Knit top: Siddhartha Tytler

Cover Story credits

Interview: Sandipan Dalal | Photographs: Errikos Andreou (DEU: Creative Managment)
Hair stylist: Darshan Yewalekar | Makeup artist: Mahadev Naik | Fashion stylist: Nikita Jaisinghani
Assistant stylists: Sonika Grover, Malvika Tater | Location: Luna Nudo, St. Regis Mumbai