Ranveer the risk taker

Actor doesn’t hesitate to step out of his comfort zone for upcoming film Bajirao Mastani.

MUMBAI:

Actor Ranveer Singh is one of those budding faces in Bollywood who made a huge impact at their entry into the industry. His debut film Band Baaja Baaraat (2010) showcased an interesting mix of his capabilities as a performer and he made the best of his lady-killer looks in Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (2011), a film that allowed just that.

Since then, Ranveer’s career has witnessed multiple box-office hits. Although critics in India commended his performances in Lootera (2013) and Ram-Leela (2013), his command over acting doesn’t seem to have notably enhanced. His latest offering, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani, demands the actor to go all out as a performer. The 29 year old, who has devoted an entire year to the film, believes that if taking this “risk” works, the film could go down in the “history of Indian cinema.”



Ranveer will be seen as a baldie in Bajirao Mastani. “People were telling me, ‘How can you shave your head for Bajirao Mastani? How can you give more than one year for shooting at this stage of your career? Is it advisable?’” shared Ranveer.

“I said, ‘I know it’s a lot to give, I know it’s a huge commitment... first go bald and then give a year’s time to a film when you can make three films [in that period]. But I do know if this works, itihaas bana dega [it will create history].”

Talking about his previous works such as Gunday, he shared, “I have been known to be a risk taker. I always wanted to do a film that is credible and not an art house one. It should be accessible to a wide audience. I want it to be a blend of both and it should live on forever.” Bajirao Mastani will also feature his Ram-Leela co-star and rumoured ladylove Deepika Padukone.

Ranveer, who will also be seen in the upcoming multi-starrer Dil Dhadakne Do, believes in being grounded. “I understand success and failure are part of our life, but we should stay grounded and not get carried away by success. Not getting too carried away and bogged down by failure is a good way to move ahead,” he said.

Going bald is certainly a huge risk for an actor who has largely relied on looks and physique in his career, but only time will tell if his sacrifices for the film pay off.  Interestingly, Shahid Kapoor also went bald for Vishal Bhardwaj’s Haider. Let’s wait and see who will be the next to jump on the badie bandwagon.  

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2014.

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