Never Ending Movie Carnival
Never Ending Movie Carnival
Shamshera : from Sid, Bunny to Bali, the coming of age of Ranbir Kapoor
He is the most doting father in the making and still remains the most desirable, from the urban cool dude in Wake Up Sid, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, to the replica of Sanju Baba on screen, the fourth generation baacha of Bollywood’s first family - The Kapoors, the Saawariya of the loveliest mom to be Alia Bhatt has come a long way.
After fifteen years of ruling the hearts all over, Ranbir Kapoor – the Saawariya has now taken the role of the messiah, the savior, the quintessential ‘mass’ masala hero in YRF Shamshera ( means – Sword) directed by Karan Malhotra and co starring Vaani Kapoor along with Sanjay Dutt as villain.
Is the sword (Shamshera) sharp and deadly enough to cut into the box office records and establish Ranbir Kapoor as the rarest of rare breed who can be innocent redefine as in Barfi, Jagga Jasoos and the macho man who rises to the occasion in Shamshera?
Let’s find out as Ranbir Kapoor answers volleys of questions about Shamshera and himself.
When Shamshera was offered, what was your instant reaction?
I just didn’t believe it. Usually I am offered coming of age and romantic characters. I heard the story and initially Bali's character was offered to me. Shamshera was supposed to be done by some other actor. I liked Shamshera immensely and wanted to play the father character as well. Shamshera – the father is so dynamic. We did a lot of look tests and it worked.
Reason behind the long gap of four years after Sanju?
This wasn't in my hands and I was shooting for Brahamastra and Shamshera together. Both are big screen extravagant films which took some time. We shot 150 days for Shamshera and 160 for Brahmastra.
Apart from this we did prep training. I was working and Covid 19 pandemic came in. after around forty days of Shamshera release, Brahamastra Part One : Shiva will release. Am hoping both the films provide good wholesome entertainment.
Sanju sir’s personality was very close to my heart. I use to keep his posters in my cupboard. During Sanju, I got the opportunity to know more about his life and now we are here playing antagonist and protagonist. When you work on the sets everyone loves him he is like a teddy bear. He is very protective. He would ask the action director if I was safe doing action scenes. He takes care of one and all on the sets. I’m lucky that I got to work with him.
Playing difficult characters and standing tall amongst your contemporaries, What you have found the most challenging in your career as an actor?
Marketing is very tough. I am still learning on it.
Prem Rog, Chandini to name a few, I use to watch papa’s movies with my sister. Movies where my mummy (Neetu Singh) and papa were paired together like Rafoo Chakar, Khel Khel Mein etc. I never liked to watch my mother paired opposite to some other actor.
When we say masala films, it means multi genre films. As in one film you see romance, comedy, action, emotions. This is the most difficult genre. We were making these films earlier and now and will be making such films in future also.
A Senior Journalist and movie crtic. FB/lipika.varma.5 More By Lipika Varma