From playing an unabashed Gujarati romeo in Ram Leela, Ranveer Singh, the newest Bollywood heart-throb, continues his dramatic stint with Gunday. Bollywood Hungama’s Joginder Tuteja reports…
WITH positive responses to the preview of Gunday, Ranveer is gearing up for a good start to the year with its Valentine’s Day release. After a gap of two films, he has returned to Yash Raj Films (YRF).
“It is a homecoming of sorts for him,” said an associate. “After debuting with YRF’s Band Baaja Baaraat and following it up with Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, he experimented with Lootera and Ram-Leela with outside production houses. With Gunday, it is back to a familiar set-up.”
It is something that has Ranveer excited.
“I have worked with the people at Yash Raj for so many years and know the unit. The camaraderie is so good and the people around me really young. Like my director, Ali Abbas Zafar, he is one of the brightest new guys you’ll find in the industry. One thing I can take from Gunday is that when there is good energy, it shows,” he said.
However, insiders suggest there was a little too much energy on the set of Gunday, courtesy of Arjun Kapoor’s also being a male lead as well – and one who has a point to prove.
With Yash Raj putting its money on both stars, it was to be expected that the two actors were going to play a game of “one-upmanship” during the shoot.
But Ranveer denies there has been any rivalry.
He holds the distinction of being among the few leading men who have been solo heroes in each of their first four outings – Band Baaja Baaraat, Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, Lootera and Ram Leela.
Naturally, he has revelled in having the limelight to himself. With Gunday, he is sharing it with another happening hero, Arjun.
“Both are new to the B-Town, have shown immense promise, even delivered hits, and have an almost equal slate of upcoming films with prestigious banners,” an insider comments.
“The only difference is that while Ranveer is an outsider, Arjun belongs to the inside world of the industry.
“With the two starring in Gunday alongside Priyanka Chopra as the leading lady, tongues are bound to wag about their rivalry.”
But neither actor is ready to let on about any competition.
While Arjun says there isn’t any conflict, Ranveer believes speculation is to be expected.
“I never had anything like this on my mind,” said Ranveer.
“Arjun and I knew each other before we became actors. After working on Gunday, we know each other better.
“Ultimately, I am sure the way we come across on screen together will make for some cracking entertainment.”
Ranveer said of his co-star: “Arjun is wonderful to work with. I guess I had maximum fun working on this film. If you get into the space of one-upmanship, then it doesn’t help. You have to be comfortable in your space.”
Ranveer said Gunday was the kind of film he had grown up seeing. “I loved watching such movies as a kid and teenager. What could be more exciting than this?”
Ranveer plays a Bangladeshi refugee-turned-Calcutta gunda in the film, which is set in the 1970s.
Director Ali Abbas Zafar, who chose a classy route with his debut Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, has apparently done a 180º turn with Gunday.
While the film is set in Bengal, Ranveer won’t be shown in a quintessential Bengali milieu. Instead, the action-drama affair will have a mass appeal flavour.
YRF is said to have pushed the envelope with commercial Hindi films and its blue-eyed boy, Ranveer, hasn’t disappointed them. Reports are that he plays to the gallery unapologetically. – bollywood.hungama.com