Ranveer Singh, 27, is a complete softy and a mama’s boy, whose mother is the centre of his universe. He is extremely bright and secure about his manhood and is simple and emotional. He admits that while he had no control of what he would say when he started off, he has learnt not to be 100% open and honest. Over an hour-long conversation with TOI while shooting for Ram Leela, he talks about his badmaashis in school, the romantic Aditya Chopra and why he finds Deepika Padukone the most desirable co-star. Excerpts:
Let’s talk about your childhood?
I am born and brought up in Bandra and went to a small school called Learners Academy in the foothills of Pali Hill till class X. My family is originally from Karachi and while my dad is a cut surd, my mom is a Sindhi. My dad is an auto retailer. I was the most obese kid in my class till class three and was called ‘motte’. I was under-confident and no one would take me in their team to play as I was a slow runner. But then, I realised I was stronger than these guys and became the dada in school. I wrote my first love letter on a chit in class one. It read, ‘I love you. You love me.’ My principal complained to my parents. In class VI, I used to teach all the boys about porn and sex. I was 12 when I kissed. The girl was from another school and was older to me. I used to meet her in Otters Club and played table tennis with her. I must have been 13 when I did it fully first. By 14, I had lost weight and started having the cool look and was always attractive to girls. Even though almost everyone was better looking than me, I had a more attractive personality and I used to win a lot of personality contests. In fact, that’s how I had my first serious affair in class IX. I had gone to her school and won that contest and she noticed me. It lasted for four years. I would steal lunch boxes, hit people, have fights and do full dadagiri both with juniors and seniors. My mom always had to go through stress because of me. I was the demon in school who corrupted all the boys, but was a leader and had a lot of influence with the kids. I was good enough in studies, good in sports and great in extra-curricular, so was always made the prefect and became the head boy. There were more candidates who were better than me but not as influential with the kids, so their parents created a lot of furore over my being selected. I was always the gunda, ringleader, badmaash and dada.
How did you get your first film?
I had told my dad in class VII that I would not do business and it was obvious in school that I would be an actor, though without a filmi background it seemed far-fetched. I loved coming up with quirky ideas for advertising and thought I would become a copy writer and went to the US for my graduation. In my second year, I took up an acting class and was asked to introduce myself by any kind of performance. I said dialogues from Deewar and everyone started clapping, even though they did not understand the language. I felt so good that despite they not being able to understand my language, they liked what I did. It all came back to me and I decided I needed to be a performer. I called my dad and told him I wanted to be an actor. He was fine so long as I completed my degree. I did that and came back to assist Shaad Ali on ads. But the minute the actor came in front of the camera, I knew that’s the only thing I wanted to do. Then I joined Makarand Deshpande’s theatre group and did all the backstage work of moving furniture and getting samosas for people. Even though my parents were not going through a financially good period when I came back, and had invested so much in my degree, they did not deter me even once and that is why I was able to pursue it for four years, till I auditioned and got my first break with Band Baaja Baaraat.
You have got into trouble for speaking your mind. Have you changed?
I was completely budhu and naive when I started. I am still 90% of that honest, frank and open person and am still that guy only, but a bit smarter and have learnt to think before I speak. I have come to terms with the reality that you can’t say everything the way it is and be completely open and honest, as you run the risk of rubbing people the wrong way, being misunderstood and being misrepresented even though I may have meant no malice to anyone. I have also understood the need to protect information, be it related to what work you are doing, how much money you are making or the content of your film.
Aditya Chopra gave you your first break. What is he like?
He is an amazing amalgamation of a business and creative mind. It’s almost like he has two brains. What I admire about him is how hard he works. He is so productive as a working professional in a single day. It’s amazing to watch the rate at which he makes so many decisions. Also creatively, he is a lover of movies and is filmi at heart. He loves food and movies and is a full on romantic. To me, he is a father figure and while I am now informal and open with him, I still stand up when he enters the room as I worship him. He is the guy who put me where I am today.
You are working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Ram Leela. How is he to work with?
He has liberated me as an artiste and has given me wings to fly. Unlike other directors, he does not just execute, but continues to create on the set. He makes you act out of your own instinct and he has been able to get the most out of me.
Let’s talk about three of your co-stars —Anushka, Sonakshi and Deepika. What are they like?
Anushka is naturally talented and is born to be an actor. She is brutally honest and has taught me a lot. I would be so hyper about work and would work myself up into a frenzy. She made me aware that I was holding it too tight and I should let go. It’s like holding sand. If you hold it too tight, it will flow out of the hand. And if you let go and not be so uptight, then your performance will be more effortless and you will enjoy the process. I am learning to get less hyper and enjoy the process. Sonakshi acts like a veteran even though we started working in the same year and that shows in her performance. There is so much to admire about Deepika. She is an independent girl running her own house and staff in Mumbai. She is so driven and productive and manages to do so much work. She is also warm, kind and gentle.
Do you see yourself getting married?
I used to not be high on getting married and felt that modern lifestyles did not support the traditional concept of a marriage till a year ago. Suddenly, I don’t know what has happened to me. I just want to get married and have kids. I’m craving for substance in a relationship now. It’s probably a hormonal thing and has to do with my feeling of wanting kids. I guess I am growing up.
What kind of girl do would you want to marry?
She has to be a nurturer. She should baby and pamper me. She should not be fake. And she should be really attractive and desirable so that I am kept on my toes.
Who do you find most desirable for amongst your co-stars?
Deepika.
Are you in love?
I don’t know, but I am ready for love. I am ready to be clean bowled.
