Ranveer Singh: Playing Alauddin Khilji in 'Padmavati' is daunting

Ranveer Singh talks about playing the character of the ruthless ruler Alauddin Khilji in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama, 'Padmavati' and more

Ranveer Singh

It has just been a month since he wrapped up the first schedule of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati' and will resume shooting for the next stint soon in mid-January, but Ranveer Singh can't stop missing his character. The actor plays ruthless ruler Alauddin Khilji in the historical drama.

"The other day, I was missing Sanjay sir tremendously, so I went to meet him. He told me what he had lined up the next schedule and I was blown. I can't wait to get back," he says.

This film marks Ranveer's third outing with Bhansali after 'Bajirao Mastani' (2015) and 'Goliyon Ki Rasleela: Ram-Leela' (2014). For the earlier two projects, he had prepped intensely, but for 'Padmavati', he has outdone himself.

"I have devoted several days to the prep of 'Padmavati'. It is a highly consuming character. I have to go into the 1300s. It's daunting getting into the mould, the styling and mannerisms knowing Sanjay sir's eye for detail. I am living it the way he has visualised the character."

While shooting Bajirao Mastani, Ranveer had moved into a house close to Film City, Goregaon. He is doing the same for Padmavati. This is not only to avoid the daily commute and traffic snarls from his home in Bandra, but to stay in character. This semi-isolation, however, is not at the filmmaker's behest.

"Sanjay sir does not expect me to do it; this will help me stay focused. I have got a place close to the set. It is like being on an outdoor shoot. I prefer to stay in my own zone with no family around and not be in touch with too many people."

Last month, he tweeted a snapshot of his kohl-lined eyes from the sets. Knowing how Bhansali detests anything from the film going into social domain before time, the actor had refrained from sharing more. "It was a cryptic, mysterious tweet. I can't say more than that."

For the past few weeks, he was promoting his latest release, Aditya Chopra's 'Befikre', and is now completing brand endorsement shoots to be followed by a year-end getaway. He is yet to zero in on the destination, though. He ushered in 2016 with 'Padmavati' co-star and ladylove Deepika Padukone in Maldives, and the year before that, the two were in New York.

He admits reports about a supposedly off-on relationship with Deepika bother him to a "limited degree". "But, I have learnt to take it in my stride. I prefer to focus on the personal aspects of the profession. At the same time, this falls in the realm of personal space, so I don't like to encourage too much scrutiny."

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