Weird works best with this talented actor
By Aarti Kapur Singh
Ranveer Singh bounces off even air! Yes, it’s true! His energy levels are notorious, but he is also known for his fashion statements and quirky style. Not many know that fashionista Sonam Kapoor is his cousin on his mother’s side. So style is something that actually runs through his veins. The actor, who turned 30 on July 6 is a master at reinventing his looks – even if he has had only about a dozen films under his belt. So while he started out as a casual Delhi lad and chose a rugged look for ‘Ram-Leela’, he had no qualms in shaving off his locks for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s historical epic ‘Bajirao Mastani’, for which he is currently shooting. Here’s what Ranveer thinks about life and style.
‘Fitness is lifestyle’
Till the age of 14, I was a little chubby, overweight. But when I started losing all that baby fat and started body building, I realized that it does wonders for your self confidence. I feel amazing when I am in good shape, so for me it’s a ‘feel good’ factor. It constitutes a large part of self confidence, especially when you are working in a visual medium and are in the so-called limelight all the time. It helps if you have inner confidence and for me, that comes from fitness. So it’s a lifestyle choice and I would recommend it to everyone.
The image of Hrithik Roshan and his body build at the time of ‘Krrish’, inspired me. Akshay Kumar is also my role model, I have heard that if he has a 6 am shoot, he wakes up at 4 am to work out. Salman was one of the first guys to have a good body, so thanks to him for setting the trend.
I contacted Hrithik’s trainer Kris Gethin but as he was busy with Hrithik, he put me onto Lloyd Stevens who flew down from the UK to train me for a 12 week program. I was put on a closely monitored Drastic Transformation Programme (DTP), in which the diet was super strict and was 80% of the programme, the balance 20% being the training. Mentally, you need to be really strong. I achieved my results in six weeks instead of 12! It was worth seeing my body captured on celluloid especially before the song ‘Tattad Tattad’, as it gave me supreme confidence. But you start getting obsessed with your body, and I don’t want to go there. So I am back to my normal home food and 75 kgs that is perfect, given my height. And of course you have to continue to work out and train everyday. I now know that I can get back to a shirtless body in just two weeks, whenever I want.
‘My clothes define me’
Even though I feel I look best naked, my clothes best define me. I love hats, as everyone may now know. I mix and match them with trousers, shirts and jackets. I love experimenting with colors and patterns. My most favourite accessory though, is my attitude. I also must share bouquets and brickbats with my stylist, Nitasha Gaurav. I don’t like to wear run-of-the-mill stuff. I style myself according to the mood I am in. I find myself attracted to unique garments – stuff that one doesn’t usually see, in Mumbai’s street language it is called ‘atrangi’ (weird) style. And Nitasha gives me such clothes. In fact, clothes are my luxury indulgence – even more than watches or shoes.
‘Going bald made me nervous’
I was nervous on the way to my mundan, in my preparation to become Bajirao. But once it was done I felt very liberated. I started feeling like I was another character. It was supposed to happen much later, but I begged Mr Bhansali to allow me to do it the day that I did it. It allowed me to live with my bald look longer before getting on the floor, which would help me in my characterisation. I had to start getting used to it and started feeling like Bajirao before we began shooting. I am very happy with it.
‘Cute, sweet look!’
My look in ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ was that of a cute boy, sweet boy and too no effort at all. It’s not one of the extremes…normal lagta hai, jo main kabhi life mein nahi laga hoon. That’s why I like ‘DDD’. I think in terms of aesthetics, look of the actor, characters, cinematography – is not easy to achieve, but it happened in ‘DDD’.
