HOW IS RANVEER GETTING RID OF ALAUDDIN KHILJI,
The film’s trailer as well your new avatar has got a great response... The trailer’s impact has been mind-blowing. It has been unlike anything that I have ever experienced, not just for my films, but for any film. It was overwhelming, so I felt I had to acknowledge all the love, and that’s why I wrote a note on Twitter. I am very happy, because Sanjay sir and the entire team worked very hard. When I saw it in 3D, I was like, ‘Oh, what am I watching? It’s unlike anything I have ever seen’. I am very proud of the team’s work and I am looking forward to the release. Padmavati actors aren’t extensively promoting the film due to the current situation. Do you think it’s a good idea? Yes, the film should be seen first. Anything that we (actors) say isn’t going to subdue this tension. People should give the film a chance, be patient, and they can have healthy debates after they have seen it. Right now, people are debating over conjecture. I guess the team, including Sanjay sir, is assessing the situation everyday and are taking each day as it comes. From what I know, I will be brought out once everybody sees the film and the context is set. Alauddin Khilji looks to be a tough character to get into... I shot the film for a year, so living with Alauddin Khilji for that long wasn’t easy. It required a lot of energy and took a lot out of me. Let’s put it this way: it really affected me; this is the longest that I have ever lived with any character and also shot for a movie. I was the first to start the shoot in November last year and I’ve been the last to finish. Sanjay sir says it’s one of his most treasured characters. It’s a really meaty character to play, and I’m happy he trusted me with this. Everything else that I had to do was on hold, so I am now catching up on all my other work. Sanjay sir is very happy with my work in the film and he said some sweet things to me on the last day of shoot that touched my heart. Is Khilji completely out of your system now? I think my haircut, travelling (for ad shoots) and focusing on other work is helping a lot. The audience’s reaction to the trailer was very significant, because I was apprehensive about how people would react to me playing a negative part. But I was happy to see that our audience is so evolved. They appreciate the character as well as the characterisation, and are able to differentiate, so that has relieved me. Was cutting your hair the first step to shed Khilji’s mindset? I was very consumed with the character, as I was shooting for 12-14 hours every day; especially a character that is very far from who I am [in real life]. So it was difficult, and when I cut my hair, that was a big step in getting rid of the character. Also, I caught up with my friends and family. I realised that I was not spending time with friends and family, as I was hardly going out. I was very excited to see the feedback to the trailer, which doesn’t have a single dialogue of mine. Now, I am excited and anxious about the film. The character definitely took me deep and it will take me some time to cleanse it out of my system. I gave it my all for Sanjay sir, but now I need to chill a bit and do normal stuff. I need to reconnect and live like a normal person. Were you apprehensive about playing such a negative part so early in your career? As an actor, I was excited about the part. I feel ‘good’ and ‘bad’ is just a matter of perspective. I felt this was an opportunity for me to do something completely different. If I was ever to play such a character, why not do it with the best film-maker; someone with whom I have such a brilliant chemistry and a great creative collaboration? It was scary, but Sanjay sir wanted me and he was very adamant. I will always be there for him no matter what, because his contribution towards my growth and development as an artiste has been immense. I am indebted to him and if he wants me for any part, I will always be there for him. Once I took the role on, it was my duty to play it as honestly as possible. There were no half measures. Once I was in it, I immersed myself completely and with full conviction. It was very gratifying. Were you confident that you were on the right path even while shooting for the film? There were a few unfortunate delays, so I would watch the rushes of the film. I was very pleased to see that distinctive characterisation, because I rate actors such as Daniel DayLewis highly; actors who have a chameleon-like quality, because that versatility is important for me. When I used to watch the rushes, I used to feel, ‘This characterisation is very nice and it’s distinctive from anything that I have done’. I surprised myself too, so I am happy with the way things have gone. Since this was such a tough, draining part, given an option, would you take up such films anytime soon? I already have my line-up of films ready for the next year, and I am excited about them. They are very different characters from Alauddin Khilji. My next is Gully Boyz with Zoya Akhtar, and then there’s Rohit Shetty’s film besides a Kabir Khan film, in which I’ll play Kapil Dev. I have a lot of different stuff to play at least for the next year or so. I won’t immediately attempt or choose such a role, because I know it takes a toll — emotionally and psychologically. So, you won’t take up such parts… Never say never (smiles), but it’s unlikely. It was extremely difficult, so I don’t think it’s happening in the near future. Maybe a few years later, if I have had enough time away from such parts, I may want to do it again. Some time ago, I was like, ‘Main kabhi nahi karunga’. But then I realised I should be like, ‘Never say never’. I don’t want to close the doors. What if a great part comes to me tomorrow? As an actor, I don’t know what I will feel at that point.