Nobody pays me: Ranveer Singh

What's the best compliment you received for Dil Dhadakne Do?

When the praise comes from the industry stalwarts, it feels amazing. When people like Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Aditya Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani, Javed Akhtar, Karan Johar, Anil Kapoor, Deepika Padukone appreciate your work, it is extra special. It's because they are people whom you respect and admire so much.

Which was the most difficult scene for you to do in DDD?

The one before I jump off the cruise. There is a very fine balance of emotion that had to be there. And because the way it was shot, I had to do it 60-80 times. Zoya (Akhtar) usually looks out for actors and if it doesn't happen perfectly, we had no choice but to do it again. It was a very crucial point in the film for family dynamics. It was a fine balance that I had to maintain. I'm very honest when it comes to cue my co-actors. I give a full performance each time, so to emote to that level over 60 times was very difficult.

Who's your favourite character from the Mehra family?

Kamal Mehra (Anil Kapoor). Jhakaas! There are actors who could have played Ayesha (Priyanka Chopra), Kabir (Ranveer Singh), Farah (Anushka Sharma) but there was only one person who could be Kamal Mehra. Of course, he signed the film after me, I was the first one to sign, but it was crystal clear in the narration that only Anil Kapoor could have done it. I knew even on paper that he has the best part. Even if I keep my personal affection for Anil Kapoor aside and purely react to the piece of writing, I enjoyed Kamal the most. He could be such a douchebag and yet so loveable. He's so oblivious to everything else. His heart is in the right place.

Priyanka Chopra as a sister or as a wife?

Sister.

Her heart will break after hearing this...

Uska dil kyun tootega? She doesn't like it when I say tujhe toh hamesha maine behen ke nazron se dekha hai (I've always seen you as a sister). Her opinion will differ, but for me she is best as my sister.

Who is hotter between Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra in Bajirao Mastani?

Kashi (Priyanka) is the good wife; Mastani (Deepika) is the seductress. They are playing are different parts. One is homely and the other is a warrior princess. One is khichadi and one is a biryani. But it is a tadke wali khichadi. Lucky Bajirao - he has hot wife and a hot girlfriend (laughs).

One film you are looking forward to this year?

I'm looking forward to watch Tamasha and Shandaar. I always look forward to watch Ranbir Kapoor's movies, Deepika's movies, Imtiaz's movies. So definitely Tamasha is one film I'm looking forward to. More than anything, I'm looking forward to Bajirao Mastani, which is coming this year. It's once in a lifetime film. I'm also looking forward to Wazir and Brothers. I'm an avid film audience; I love watching all the films. I hate it when I miss a film in a theatre.

Anything you wish to buy this year? We hear you want to buy a Lamborghini?

Jis speed se main showroom ke andar gaya tha, usi speed se bahar aaya. I went to buy a fast car but I left the showroom as fast as I could (Laughs). My father is also complaining, as popular as I am, nobody pays me that much of money. SLB productions, Yash Raj Films, Excel - nobody pays me money. When my time came, the whole game changed. Producers are spiraling their budgets; actors' remuneration needs to be curbed. I wanted to buy a sports car but meri aukat nahi sports car kharidane ki.

You have bought a new house also...

I have taken up a house close to Film City. It's a temporary one for Bajirao Mastani. It's an intense film; I don't want to live one and a half hour away in Bandra. I save those two hours and I get to sleep. I was supposed to get this place in December but it took a while. It's almost like a workshop. It's where I sleep, workout and do my physiotherapy. I felt like it will help in my work. Bajirao is unpredictable; sometimes morning shoots, sometimes I even have to wait for six hours. So I have specifically designed that apartment to suit my needs. It has everything

What's next after Bajirao Mastani?

I don't know. I'm very happy to be sitting with an open date diary. Because the best films I have been able to do is because I have my dates in hand. So I rather sit with dates in hand instead of full date diary.

What are you looking in films now?

Something lighter. I will go mad otherwise. My head and my heart will burst. What I'm hoping to do is an out-and-out comedy. DDD was a dramedy. I want to do pure comedy. I want to see that how it works for me.