Just like a triumphant warrior, Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh wears the scars from playing the Marathi leader Bajirao in director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period romance, Bajirao Mastani, as a badge of honour.
They filmed for over 200 days in the harshest and chaotic filming conditions, but Singh has lived to tell the tale.
Even a nasty injury during filming that snowballed into an emotional meltdown couldn’t stop him from giving it his all.
“For me, the process of acting in such a film is my biggest prize. It is not about just about what happens on the day that the film releases. The most rewarding feeling is that I got the opportunity to do what I have always wanted to do. With Bajirao, I got a great role to play in my lifetime and got a chance to work with a creative genius like Mr Bhansali,” said Singh in an interview over the phone from Delhi. It’s the second time that he has worked with Bhansali, who’s known for grand tragedies such as Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela (which had Singh and Deepika Padukone as the lead) and Shah Rukh Khan’s Devdas.
“You need to be switched on every second while working with Mr Bhansali ... but he gets the best out of us,” said Singh. Bajirao Mastani is the tale of the revered Marathi leader Bajirao, his military adventures that led to the expansion of the Maratha empire and his dynamics with his two wives — Kashibai, played by [Priyanka ] Chopra, and Mastani, played by Padukone. Just as Singh took horse-riding lessons, Padukone learnt sword-fighting and the classical Indian dance Kathak in the run up to her role. Both feel they are incredibly lucky to have landed the project.
“During my school days I used to hear that Bhansali wants to make a film like this with Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the lead. I never thought that one day I’ll become an actress and will get a chance to be a part of this film. I believe in destiny. During that time Bhansali was not able to make this film due to various reasons. He really wanted to make this film, but may be the pairing didn’t work or he didn’t have that much of a budget. Now if Ranveer and I are in this film, I think it was in our destiny,” said Padukone in an interview with IANS. Singh feels he must have done something good to be a part of such a grand romance.
Excerpts from our interview with Singh, whose film is up against Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s Dilwale and the Hollywood sci-fi franchise Star Wars this weekend in cinemas.
When you were filming Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela a, you contracted Dengue. Were there any such set backs during the shoot of Bajirao Mastani?
I had a serious injury even while working on Bajirao Mastani: I got flung off from a horse, landed on the ground and injured my shoulder badly. The fall shattered it. Initially, after the fall I was fooling around, trying to keep things light, but I had to get operated and that period was emotionally draining for me. I had gained a lot of weight due since I had to rest after the surgery. I had become depressed and began feeling very low. All my problems began to look like mountains. I just [went] into this deep emotional funk and it was not a good space to be. I used to listen to motivational speakers to help me get me out of that dark period.
Was it worth it?
Even guys who are experts can face such an accident, because you are dealing with animals who have their own temperaments. And, no matter how much you prepare for a stunt, there’s a chance that something might go horribly wrong. And it did. We were shooting in chaotic, harsh environments and something went wrong. It was unfortunate, and I remember not thinking about it too much when it happened. But when I went into the hospital and did all my tests, the doctor said he has some bad news. I was shattered when I heard about the damage.
Have you added a no horse-riding clause to your contracts now?
No, The injury is not going to stop me from doing my own stunts. It was no one’s fault.
Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali may be a creative genius, but isn’t he tough to work with? His temperamental nature is legendary.
It’s not easy to act for Mr Bhansali. You need to evolve every second and adapt to his style of shooting and acting. He likes to change lines and actions ... Everything is created on the spot. His mind doesn’t stop working and he keeps evolving what he has already worked on. The best thing to do in a Bhansali film is to go with a blank slate, so that you grasp at his thoughts and execute it. He can throw anything at you and would go: ‘do this’, ‘say this’ and ‘come here’. You just have to be prepared for that. You have to work the way he works. I realised that about him during Ram-Leela, but this time I was prepared because we knew this is how he is going to direct us. For Ram-Leela, it took me time to adjust. For Bajirao, I had done my share of homework for my character before going into my shoot. So I had my character sketch ready and was ready to take on any challenge that Mr Bhansali would throw at me. Yes, as actors it is not easy to work for Mr Bhansali’s films, but what’s great about him is that he brings out the most special part in actors. Just look back at his films, he has inevitably drawn out the best from all his actors. If you have chosen to be a part of his passion and vision, then you will have to learn to adapt to his style.
So it’s his way or the highway?
No, not at all. He’s also the most collaborative director I have worked with. Whether you are a technician or an actor, he will ask you to bring something new to the table. He will give you a framework to work with and then asks you to set parameters. He never over-directs and he lets actors feel the scenes. Whether it is our costume designer or two-time [Indian] National Award-winning cinematographer, he will say the same thing. He’s collaborative in the sense, he trusts you to make solid choices. He says: ‘listen, I brought you to be a part of my vision.’. He gives us wings to fly. And some of the choices made in this film is borne out of one’s own instincts and often, it’s the most convincing.
What’s Bajirao Mastani about?
It’s a love story of a warrior. It follows a leader and his relationship dynamics. It’s a trademark Bhansali film and has emotional drama as its core.
You are sharing screen space with two of Bollywood’s talented and accomplished actresses — Chopra and Padukone. Was that nerve wracking?
I don’t compete with my co-stars. It is not my approach at all. I don’t concern myself with attempts at one-upmanship. That’s not my intent. Best scenes and films are born out of actors who trust each other. I come from a different school of thought. I want to be the best co-actor that I can possibly be. I try to add value to their performances. I don’t expect them to return that favour, but I won’t be able to sleep at night in peace if I am a difficult co-star. I want to accommodate them and be generous in my attitude towards my co-actors. They are wonderful performers, but I feel I am competent enough to hold my own. I admire Priyanka for her skills and Deepika’s [Padukone] honesty. I get to learn a lot from them. I have confidence in my abilities and I can never be insecure about their presence.
Did you fear that this film would promote polygamy, and would the period romance resonate with today’s men and women?
I didn’t look at this film as advocating polygamy or monogamy. Each person will have their own connect to the story and are likely to interpret my relationship with these two women in a different way. As far as my approach to my role was concerned, I feel nobody has control over one’s heart. The heart wants what it wants. There can be obstacles and difficult periods along the way, but you just fight it out. That was the line I toed for my role.
How was it wearing the heavy costumes, jewellery, helmets, and going bald?
It was fun to dress up, but it was difficult to perform in them. Even walking can be a tedious exercise in those heavy costumes as it inhibits your physical movements. You just have to do it because you are committed to a Bhansali film. It took me two hours to get ready everyday, but it was worth it. I know how important my look was to my performance and my role. Once you are in character, there’s no point in cribbing about the hardships that you experience on account of your role. This is my job and I love it.
If you had Dh35 in your pocket and you were a Bollywood fan and not an actor, which movie would you first watch: Star Wars, Dilwale or Bajirao Mastani?
I would watch Bajirao Mastani first. I love period romances.
Don’t miss it!
Bajirao Mastani is out in the cinemas now.
