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I had nothing to lose before now there is something at stake - Ranveer Singh
By Guneet Wadera - Filmicafe.com, 6 December 2011, Filmicafe.com
http://www.filmicafe.com/celebrity_interview_detail.php?interview_id=1268
By Guneet Wadera - Filmicafe.com, 6 December 2011, Filmicafe.com
http://www.filmicafe.com/celebrity_interview_detail.php?interview_id=1268
Ranveer Singh is one smooth operator. Born for the arch lights of showbizness, until very recently Ranveer was a darkhorse underdog of whose first film little was expected and who came out of nowhere to conquer hearts, becoming an overnight sensation. His khoon, paseena and hardwork had finally born fruits as his popularity skyrocketed and he went from unknown to isshtar. The film was Band Baaja Baaraat and the character perfectly embodied by Ranveer was Bitto Sharma - the rest like they say is history.
If parts were meant for actors and actors for parts, Ranveer Singh was always meant to be Ricky Bahl. Charming, suave, fetchingly fine with a capital F - Ranveer is more Ricky than Bitto there is no question about it. Donning copiously different avatars in his sophomore release, Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl - Ranveer transverses from Lucknow to Delhi to Mumbai to Goa and from Aditi Sharma to Parineeti Chopra to Dipannita Sharma, conning his way through cities and ladies. Fondly remembering his interactions with Filmicafe in Toronto this past June, Ranveer or should we say Ricky was his typical charismatic self flooring us yet again. Read on below to be charmed or rather conned yourselves!
Ranveer: So we meet again...
Oh my goodness you remember?
Ranveer: Ofcourse, I never forget a pretty face.
Well stop with the flattery now - is that how you con the ladies then?
Ranveer: Pehchaan liya apne, Pakad liye... (laughs)
Q) At time of Band Baaja Baaraat's release you were relatively unknown. With its astonishing success do you feel weighted down by the pressure of expectation?
Ranveer: I don't feel weighed down by the expectations of others from me because what is there really that I can do about it. Yes, there are more pressures and increased expectations but all I can do is work as hard as possible - I've done that and I intend on continuing to do just that.
Yes I had nothing to lose with Band Baaja Baaraat but now there is something at stake. I know I have done my bit to make sure I do everything I can to make this work. The rest is up to the audience, the janta and the many permutations, calculations and factors involved which aren't in my control. What is in my control is how hard I work and I definitely think I've done my best and given it my best shot.
Q) From Veelagiri to Trickery you've come a long way. What made Ricky Bahl the perfect follow-up to Bittoo Sharma?
Ranveer: Quite frankly I'll have to admit the impact of Band Baaja Baaraat and the impression Bittoo Sharma left on people was extreme and immense. In fact a couple of weeks ago I saw the first look of a film that's actually based on and named after Bittoo Sharma, it's called Bittoo Boss - VDO Scooter. I am proud to say Bittoo Sharma became sort of a cult character after Band Baaja Baaraat. I really enjoyed myself while playing him and I'm happy he left such a mark on people.
I was waiting for an opportunity to show that I am more than just Bittoo Sharma. Whoever I met after the release of Band Baaja Baaraat thought that's exactly who I was which is not the case at all - I'm just an actor who played a part. People had such a strong image of me as Bittoo Sharma that it was important for me to break out of Bittoo in the minds of people. Very soon after the release of BBB I remember it was actually the Director of Dabangg, Mr. Abhinav Kashyap who came up to me and said 'Man I didn't even know you could speak English.' (laughs)
In Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl, I play the perfect conman - Ricky Bahl who everytime he cons a different women he dons a new avatar. The pattern of characteristics we developed for and how we crafted each character in the film made it the most appropriate and perfect second to Bittoo for me.
Q) What is Ricky Bahl - the perfect conman's full proof game plan and modus operandi?
Ranveer: Ricky Bahl goes to a city identifies a target, does a little bit of research to find out more about the target to make sure he plans the benefit of and method for conning that particular individual and then goes back in cognisance to work on that person and figure out what's the best way to get them. As soon as he has that bit figured out he appears in front of the target in an avatar they would find appealing.
Once he gets through to that person and gets into that opening he charms the pants off them (laughs). They start investing into and trusting him, sharing intimate details of their lives thinking he's a trusted friend but as soon as their guard is down, before they can blink an eyelid he's outta there making off with their money and they never see him again. He's kind of a Kameena yes but one can't deny he's extremely charming too.
Q) First it was Bittoo Vs. Shruti now it's Ricky Vs. Ishika - What makes this friendly sparring with Anushka second time around creatively stimulating for you?
Ranveer: Anushka and me, I'll be the first one to admit have an extraordinary chemistry. It's really inexplicable why our pairing has worked so much and so well, I honestly don't have the answer for it but I will tell you that does it.
It's amazing to work with Anushka again. She is such a generous, giving and supportive co-star at the same time she's a brilliant actress, she compels you to be present in the scene and makes your own work look better. Anushka is just magic to work with - it's almost like when action is called I've jumped into some sort of trance and when cut is called I'm zapped out of it. She's surely the best among her contemporaries and I'm fortunate that I got the chance to work with her in my first and second.
Q) Parineeti is a rank newcomer debuting in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl, so it's kind of a role reversal for you in a sense. What words of wisdom and learned lessons did you pass onto her?
Ranveer: The Ladies of Ricky Bahl are going to be the surprise package of the film because they're absolutely smashing in their parts.
Aditi and Dipannita are a part of that trio and they've both had some previous acting experience. It is Parineeti's first film so there were things I used to tell her when we workshopping together - small small things. Broadly speaking the advice I gave her was whatever it is that you need to do to look good, whatever it is that you need to do to act well 'Do It' because those are the only two basic things you need to do - It is as simple as look good and act well.
Q) You are dancing up a storm in Thug Le and rapping the wits out in Aadat Se Majboor - What are the other hidden talents you are concealing?
Ranveer: Well, whatever they are your going to have to find out yourself...
Q) Should we leave the question at that then?
Ranveer: Yes please! (laughs) Actually no, don't leave it at just that I think you should definitely pursue it...
Q) Okay, now Ricky Bahl is turning is the charm on I can tell. Talking about Ricky Bahl's aadatein (habits) what's the one habit you are Aadat Se Majboor of and wish you could break it?
Ranveer: Well, clearly flirting...! No matter whatever it is I do I can't seem to break it or stop myself from it. (laughs)
Q) What are Ricky Ke Tricky Tarikey for gentlemen to charm their way into the hearts of ladies?
Ranveer: Definitely, Definitely follow Ricky Ke Tricky Tarikey to charm over the ladies - they are a sure shot hit!
There are three tips that I have for the guys out there who want to get in with the ladies. Number one is a tried and tested method with great results called 'Haasi toh paasi' If you can humour her and I'm not staying take out your phone and read out a forward and say ha-ha how funny, what a great joke. Crack a joke in casual, normal conversation - she will laugh, it will make her feel light and she'll feel disarmed. Number two - smell good, smell attractive. You don't have to smell like a bed of flowers that's a bit much but just smell masculine and fresh. Number three always, always, always even from the onset - Smile, the saahi smile goes a mile in melting a lady's heart.
So disarm her with humour, attract her with the scent and finally light up the room with your smile.
Q) We played this game with Anushka as well so we'll give you a go at it too. Tell me what you think of when I say...
Aadat Se Majboor
Ranveer: Ricky's cool rhymes
Jazba
Ranveer: Anushka Sharma
Thug Le
Ranveer: Great choreography, Great picturization - Fantastic video.
Jigar Ka Tudka
Ranveer: Parineetiii
Fatal Attraction
Ranveer: Hmmm...hmm...HOT!
Q) Lastly do you feel actors are in a way the biggest con-artists?
Ranveer: Oh yes, Absolutely!
What is acting if you think about it...It's all make belief, It's all smoke and mirrors. Disguising yourself, presenting a character and being somebody you are not convincingly and convincing people you are actually that and are not just pretending to be. So yes, actors are the biggest con-artists.
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Veer Hanuman
Kumkum Bhagya
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