Ranveer Singh

Ranveer Singh

Singh at an event for Sahara in 2011
Born Ranveer Singh Bhavnani
(1985-07-06) 6 July 1985
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Ethnicity Sindhi
Alma mater Indiana University
Occupation Actor
Years active 2010–present
Relatives See Kapoor family

Ranveer Singh Bhavnani (born 6 July 1985) is an Indian film actor who appears in Hindi-language films. After completing a bachelor's degree from Indiana University, Bloomington, Singh returned to India to pursue a career in film. He made his acting debut in 2010 with a leading role in Yash Raj Films' romantic comedy Band Baaja Baaraat. The film emerged as a critical and commercial success, earning Singh a Filmfare Award in the Best Male Debut category.

Singh went on to star in the romantic drama Lootera (2013), Sanjay Leela Bhansali's tragic romance Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), his biggest commercial successes to that point, and in the action-drama Gunday (2014). In 2015, he starred in the ensemble comedy-drama Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), and portrayed Bajirao I in the historical romance Bajirao Mastani, one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films, for which he garnered critical acclaim and won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

Early life and background

Singh was born on 6 July 1985[1] into a Sindhi family.[2][3] His grandparents moved to Mumbai from Karachi, Sindh, during the Partition of India, and he still has relatives living in the city, which he visited during his student days.[4] He has an elder sister named Ritika Bhavnani.[1][5][6][7] Singh is the maternal cousin of actress Sonam Kapoor and producer Rhea Kapoor, daughters of actor Anil Kapoor and wife Sunita Kapoor (née Bhavnani).[8] Singh explains that he dropped his surname Bhavnani, since he felt that the name would have been "too long, too many syllables", thus downplaying his brand as a "saleable commodity".[9]

Singh always aspired to be an actor, participating in several school plays and debates.[10] Once when he had gone for a birthday party, his grandmother asked him to dance and entertain her.[11] Singh remembers that he suddenly jumped in the lawn and started dancing to the song "Chumma Chumma" from the 1991 Bollywood action film, Hum.[10] He felt the thrill of performing and was interested in acting and dancing.[10] However, after he joined H.R. College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai, Singh realised that getting a break in the film industry was not at all easy, as it was mostly people with a film background who got these opportunities. Feeling that the idea of acting was "too far-fetched", Singh focused on creative writing.[10] He went to the United States where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University.[6]

At university, he decided to take acting classes and took up theatre as his minor.[10] After completing his studies and returning to Mumbai in 2007, Singh worked for a few years in advertising as a copywriter, with agencies like O&M and J. Walter Thompson.[6][11] He then worked as an assistant director, but left it to pursue acting. He decided to send his portfolio to directors.[11] He would go for all kinds of auditions, but did not get any good opportunities, while only getting calls for minor roles: "Everything was so bleak. It was very frustrating. There were times I would think whether I was doing the right thing or not."[11]

Career

Early work (2008–11)

Singh looking towards his left and smiling, wearing a black T-shirt
Singh at a promotional event for Band Baaja Baaraat in 2010

In January 2010, Singh was called for an audition by Shanoo Sharma, the head of the casting division for Yash Raj Films.[11] They informed him that it was for a lead role in their film titled Band Baaja Baaraat, a romantic comedy set in the world of wedding planning. Aditya Chopra, the vice president of the company, later saw the audition tapes on video and was impressed by Singh's acting, and decided that he fit the part of Bittoo Sharma, the hero of the film.[12] However, the director Maneesh Sharma needed some more convincing and he was called for a few more auditions over the next two weeks until they were completely convinced of his caliber.[6] After the two weeks of testing, Singh was confirmed for the role of Bittoo, with Anushka Sharma playing the female lead.[12]

Singh described the role of Bittoo Sharma as a typical Delhi boy.[6] To prepare for the role, he spent time with students at the Delhi University campus.[10] Prior to the release of the film, trade analysts were skeptical of the film's commercial potential, citing the middling response to Yash Raj Films' last few productions, the lack of a male star and the fact that the female lead, Anushka Sharma, was by then an "almost-forgotten" actress.[13] However, Band Baaja Baaraat went on to become a sleeper hit. Singh's portrayal of Bittoo was praised, with Anupama Chopra of NDTV writing that Singh was "pitch perfect in the role of the uncouth but good-hearted small town slacker who is a bit of a duffer when it comes to matters of the heart.[14] The film earned approximately ₹214 million (US$3.2 million) at the domestic box office.[15] At the 56th Filmfare Awards, Singh won the award for Best Male Debut.[16]

Following Band Baaja Baarat, Singh signed on for Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, a romantic comedy produced by Chopra and directed by Maneesh Sharma. He played a conman Ricky Bahl who cons girls for a living but finally meets his match. The film co-starred Anushka Sharma, Parineeti Chopra, Dipannita Sharma and Aditi Sharma.[17] According to Singh, the title character had various avatars in the film, including a chirpy, entertaining side and a sinister side.[5] Nikhat Kazmi of The Times of India wrote, "Ranveer is, well Ranveer: your average Joe kind of hero who looks convincing enough as Sunny, Deven, Iqbal, Ricky, his sundry avatars."[18] Commercially, Ladies vs Ricky Bahl earned ₹370 million (US$5.5 million) domestically.[19]

Success (2011–present)

Singh's next release was Lootera (2013), a period romance, written and directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, and co-starring Sonakshi Sinha.[20] An adaptation of O. Henry's short story The Last Leaf, Lootera was critically acclaimed.[21][22] Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN wrote that Singh "brings a quiet sensitivity to Varun, and occasionally a smoldering intensity. Offering a finely internalized performance, he leaves a lasting impression."[23] However, Lootera performed poorly at the box office.[24]

Singh with co-star Deepika Padukone at a screening of Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela in 2013

Singh next starred alongside Deepika Padukone in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, entitled Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, in which he played Ram, a Gujarati boy based on the character of Romeo.[25] Bhansali was impressed by Singh's performance in Band Baaja Baaraat and decided to cast him for the film.[26] Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela generated positive reviews from critics, as did Singh's performance.[27] Writing for India Today, Rohit Khilnani commented that "Singh has everything going for him here. His Bollywood hero entry scene lying down on a bike in the song 'Tattad Tattad' is outstanding. He learnt a new language to better his performance for the character Ram and it paid off. In his fourth film he has the presence of a star."[28] The film emerged as Singh's biggest commercial success,[29][30] with worldwide revenues of ₹2.02 billion (US$30 million).[31][32] For his portrayal, he received several recognitions, including a Best Actor nomination at Filmfare.[33]

In 2014, Singh starred as a Bengali criminal in Ali Abbas Zafar's Gunday, alongside Arjun Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Irrfan Khan.[34][35] David Chute of Variety praised Singh's screen presence and wrote that he "tucks the movie's center of interest under his arm and takes it with him — even though he has the could-be-thankless "good brother" role".[36] Also, Singh's chemistry with Kapoor was considered by critic Rohit Khilnani to the prime asset of the film.[37] Gunday proved to be Singh's biggest box office opener,[38] and eventually emerged a box-office success with a revenue of ₹1 billion (US$15 million) worldwide.[39] After a cameo appearance in Finding Fanny, Singh starred as a gangster in Shaad Ali's unsuccessful crime drama Kill Dil opposite Parineeti Chopra and Ali Zafar and received negative reviews.[40][41]

In Zoya Akhtar's ensemble comedy-drama Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), Singh starred with Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah and Priyanka Chopra as the younger sibling of a dysfunctional Punjabi family. Writing for Mumbai Mirror, critic Kunal Guha found Singh to be the "surprise element" of the film; he praised his "immaculate comic timing" and particularly noted on the subtelty of his performance.[42] The film further was an economic success, grossing ₹1.47 billion (US$22 million) worldwide within seventeen days of release.[43] Singh next reunited with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the epic romance Bajirao Mastani (2015), opposite Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra. He portrayed Bajirao I, for which he shaved his head and locked himself up in a hotel room for 21 days.[44][45] Raja Sen in his review mentioned: "Ranveer Singh brings his character to life and does so with both machismo and grace, his Peshwa Bajirao slicing down soldiers like a lehnga-clad golfer wielding a too-sharp niblick.[46] The film was a box-office success and Singh won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.[47][48]

As of February 2016, Singh is filming for Aditya Chopra's romance Befikre in Paris, opposite Vaani Kapoor.[49] In addition, Singh has committed to star in an untitled Rohit Shetty film, co-starring Tamannaah.[50]

Filmography and awards

Filmography

Key
Films that have not yet been released Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Role Notes
2010 Band Baaja Baaraat Bittoo Sharma Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut
2011 Ladies vs Ricky Bahl Ricky Bahl
2013 Bombay Talkies Himself Special appearance in song "Apna Bombay Talkies"
2013 Lootera Varun Shrivastav /
Atmanand "Nandu" Tripathi
2013 Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela Ram Rajari Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actor
2014 Gunday Bikram Bose
2014 Finding Fanny Gabo Cameo appearance
2014 Kill Dil Dev
2015 Hey Bro Himself Special appearance in song "Birju"
2015 Dil Dhadakne Do Kabir Mehra
2015 Bajirao Mastani Bajirao I Filmfare Award for Best Actor
2016 BefikreFilms that have not yet been released TBA Filming[51]

Awards and nominations

Singh is the recipient of two Filmfare Awards: Best Male Debut for Band Baaja Baaraat (2010) and Best Actor for Bajirao Mastani (2016). He has received an additional Best Actor nomination at the ceremony for Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013).

References

  1. 1 2 "Ranveer Singh: Celeb Bio". Hindustan Times. HT Media Ltd. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  2. ↑ Dandriyal, Sameeksha (6 July 2015). "Quirky, cool, high on life: Why Ranveer Singh is the face of young India". International Business Times. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  3. ↑ KBR, Upala (6 February 2014). "Buddy bonding for Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  4. ↑ Lodhi, Adnan (9 December 2015). "I wish to visit Karachi once again: Ranveer Singh". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  5. 1 2 Singh, Harneet (12 March 2011). "Ranveer Singh: The new heart-throb". The Indian Express (Indian Express Group). Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Ramsubramaniam, Nikhil (11 November 2010). "Introducing: Ranveer Singh". Bollywood Hungama. pp. 1–6. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  7. ↑ "It's Ranveer Bhavnani and not Singh". Mid Day. MiD Day Infomedia Ltd. 23 February 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  8. ↑ "Band Baaja Baraat hero distant cousin of Sonam?". Mid Day. 14 December 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  9. ↑ Vyavahare, Renuka (2 January 2014). "Why did Ranveer Singh drop his sur name?". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Interview: Ranveer Singh". Glamsham.com. Fifth Quarter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. 9 December 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Varde, Ashwin (24 December 2010). "Ranveer Singh – A Star Is Born". Starweek Magazine (Mumbai, India: Magna Publication Co. Ltd): 23–27. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  12. 1 2 "YRF launches new face with Anushka Sharma". New Indian Express. 4 February 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  13. ↑ Nagpaul D'souza, Dipti (5 November 2010). "Missing the mark". The Indian Express. Indian Express Group. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  14. ↑ Chopra, Anupama (10 December 2010). "Movie Review, Band Baaja Baaraat". NDTV. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  15. ↑ "Band Baaja Baaraat 5th Week Scores Over Tees Maar Khan 3rd Week". Box Office India. 17 January 2011. Archived from the original on 11 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  16. ↑ "56th Filmfare Awards 2010, A Night Of Glitz N' Glamour". Glamsham.com. Fifth Quarter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. 29 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  17. ↑ "YRF's Ladies V/S Ricky Bahl goes on floors in Delhi". Mumbai: Business of Cinema. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
  18. ↑ Kazmi, Nikhat (9 December 2011). "Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl movie review". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  19. ↑ Basu, Mohar (21 May 2013). "Box Office Check: Aditya Chopra The Producer". Koimoi.com. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  20. ↑ "Sonakshi comfortable with Indian look". India Today (India Today, Inc). 18 November 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  21. ↑ Bakshi, Dibyajyoti (2 March 2012). "Sonakshi-Ranveer's Lootera inspired by O Henry's short story". Hindustan Times (HT Media Ltd). Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  22. ↑ "Lootera: a slow pace romantic saga worth watching, say critics". Hindustan Times. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  23. ↑ Masand, Rajeev (15 July 2013). "'Lootera' review: Drop whatever you're doing and soak in this love saga". CNN-IBN. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  24. ↑ "Ranveer Singh". Box Office India. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  25. ↑ "First look Ram Leela: Meet Romeo Ranveer and Juliet Deepika". India Today. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  26. ↑ "Ranveer Singh to romance Kareena in 'Ram Leela'". Zee News. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  27. ↑ Uniyal, Parmita (15 November 2013). "Movie review: Bhansali's Ram-leela is his best ever, say critics". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  28. ↑ Khilnani, Rohit (15 November 2013). "Movie Review: Ram Leela is a spectacular show!". India Today. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  29. ↑ "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela' earns Rs 93.58 crores in opening weekend". Deccan Chronicle. 16 November 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  30. ↑ "Ramleela Grosses 100 Crore Worldwide At The Box Office". Koimoi.com. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  31. ↑ "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram - Leela Set For 200 Crore Worldwide". Box Office India. 9 December 2013. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  32. ↑ "Ramleela All Set To Join Koimoi's 'Top Worldwide Grossing Movies' List". Koimoi.com. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  33. ↑ "59th Idea Filmfare Awards Nominations". Filmfare. 13 January 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  34. ↑ Misra, Iti Shree (24 August 2012). "Ali Abbas and Yash Raj team up again". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  35. ↑ "Gunday". Yash Raj Films. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  36. ↑ Chute, David. "Gunday Review- An Entertaining Buddy-Gangster Melodrama". Variety. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  37. ↑ Khilnani, Rohit (14 February 2014). "Movie review: Gunday is old wine in a new bottle, it tastes awesome!". India Today. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  38. ↑ "Boxoffice: Gunday First Day Collections". Box Office India. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  39. ↑ Seshagiri, Sangeetha (23 February 2014). "'Gunday' Box Office Collection: Ranveer-Arjun Starrer Grosses 100 Crore Worldwide". International Business Times. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  40. ↑ "After Ramleela, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone to share screen space in Finding Fanny Fernandes". Daily News and Analysis. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  41. ↑ "'Kill Dil' gets 'kill'ed officially; collects a mere Rs 20 crore in opening weekend". The Indian Express. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  42. ↑ Guha, Kunal (5 June 2015). "Film Review: Dil Dhadakne Do". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  43. ↑ "Worldwide Collections of Dil Dhadakne Do After Third Weekend". Koimoi.com. 23 July 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  44. ↑ Gupta, Priya (21 October 2014). "Exclusive: Ranveer Singh shaves his head for Bajirao Mastani". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  45. ↑ "When Ranveer Singh locked himself up in a hotel room for 21 days". Mid Day. 14 December 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  46. ↑ Sen, Raja (18 December 2015). "Review: Priyanka, Ranveer are terrific in Bajirao Mastani". Rediff.com. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  47. ↑ Bhattacharya, Ananya (27 December 2015). "Dilwale vs Bajirao Mastani box office collection: Ranveer-Deepika's film crosses Rs 100 cr, SRK-Kajol unimpressive". India Today. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  48. ↑ "Full list of winners of the 61st Britannia Filmfare Awards". Filmfare. 15 January 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  49. ↑ "Befikre: When Ranveer Singh experienced 'déjà vu'!". Daily News and Analysis. 6 October 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  50. ↑ "Tamannaah, Ranveer in Rohit Shetty's Next". New Indian Express. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  51. ↑ "Ranveer Singh takes off to Paris for Befikre". Filmfare. 23 February 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.

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