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Ranveer Singh on incredible 83 transformation, his chameleon career and taking the baton for Bollywood: ‘This is what keeps that blazing inferno inside me going’


Ranveer Singh is no stranger to transforming himself for a role, something that he has become known for throughout his 10-year career on the big screen.

His latest change-up came as part of 83, Kabir Khan’s Bollywood masterpiece about the incredible victory of the India national cricket team who went on to win the 1983 world cup, completing a huge cup upset against all the odds.

Ranveer took on the role of club captain, beloved Kapil Dev, alongside real-life wife Deepika Padukone, who played his screen love interest Romi Bhatia, as well as Pankaj Tripathi, Adinath Kothare and Tahir Raj Bhasin.

Despite being one of the most notable actors in India, fans would be forgiven for doing a double-take at the movie poster, which shows him with a bat in hand, above a smaller shot of his co-stars – as you couldn’t even tell his identity under Kapil’s trademark moustache.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk ahead of the release of the sporting epic, he laughed as he confessed that this chameleon-like quality is exactly what he wants people to remember him for.

‘That’s what I trip on as an actor. What new can I do? How can I be different? How can I create a distinctive character? If I end up doing the same thing, it’s not exciting for me as an artist,’ he told us. ‘This is what keeps that blazing inferno inside me going. 

Ranveer Singh has made a name for himself thanks to his incredible transformations

‘I’m happy to create more distinctive characters. Even a visual, a poster or something, [fans] would be like, “What’s he up to now?” I want that. I want to keep the audience surprised and give them something they’re not expecting, or something they’re seeing for the first time. 

‘This type of distinctive characterisation, this chameleon-like characterisation of embodying distinctive characters, this is something that personally as an artist, I really get off on it.’

Ranveer’s latest film decision to undertake the starring role in 83 was no different, and many have already tipped him to take home a National Award for his emotional portrayal of sporting legend Kapil.

Discussing why he decided to take on the pressure of playing a beloved figure with such a huge legacy, he continued: ‘I always grew up thinking 83 is this great story and I was like, “Great, [I’m] pleased somebody is making it.”

‘Growing up, Kapil Dev was always a legend, these people were always heroes, and this was always a great and glorious story. But when Kabir sat me down and told me what actually went down, how it happened, I did not know that.

Ranveer went above and beyond to make sure he honoured Kapil Dev properly in the film (Picture: Getty)

‘I felt like “Wow, this story…people who’ve lived it should be able to relive it in its cinematic telling. And the people don’t know how 83 was achieved, they need to know because this will be a fitting celebration of what was really a once in a lifetime achievement”. 

‘These men made history, they did something that was never done before. They achieved against the odds. They were absolute underdogs and nobody believed in them, they went and did the unthinkable. So it was always set up to be a great movie. We’re just lucky that we were the ones chosen to tell it in cinema. I was just happy to be a part of it.’

Ranveer jumped right into the thick of it and went to extreme measures in a bid to honour Kapil properly – and even briefly moved in with him to nail the part as best he could.

‘I stayed with him for two weeks which was very memorable, to pick up his voice, body language, and mannerisms, and get into his mindset,’ he said, explaining that there was no good film footage available to help him behind the scenes.

‘To stay with him, to get to know him so intimately, was very rewarding because he truly is a great man. He’s a motivational speaker now, so you can imagine the values that he has in him to share and I got that privately, intimately and firsthand.’

Is there anything that Ranveer can’t do? (Picture: Getty)

Ranveer showed his passion – and talent – for doing the unexpected even with his debut into the industry, starring as Bittoo Sharma in Band Baaja Baaraat, in 2010. Critics raved about his performance, which earned him the trophy for best male debut at the Filmfare Awards.

He went on to appear in acclaimed hits including Bajirao Mastani, Gunday, Simmba and Gully Boy, with each step cementing his status as a new titan of the industry – and he has Cirkus and Jayeshbhai Jordaar slated to be released later this year, proving that he’s not one to rest on his laurels.

But if you think that he’s taking that title lightly, you might need to remember who we’re talking about.

‘I’m very grateful for my opportunities,’ Ranveer insisted. ‘In this 10-year journey that I’ve had, I’ve worked with some of the finest filmmakers. I’ve learned something from all of them. I’ve had the chance to explore my creativity within different genres, whether it’s romance, comedy, action, historicals, masala films, musicals.

‘The diversity of the opportunities is something I’m extremely grateful for because it allows me the opportunity to showcase my versatility as a performer, which has always been my endeavour. Growing up, the actors who inspired me the most were the ones who had that chameleon-like quality, the ones who would be able to transform hardcore into characters.

‘That’s the actor I wanted to mould myself into, so I’m grateful for the diversity of opportunities that allow me to showcase my versatility,’

‘I didn’t imagine being in this position, it really is beyond my wildest imagination,’ he added. ‘But I’m extremely grateful for it and I attach an immense amount of value to it. I am fully committed to it. 

‘So if the baton of leadership is to be passed on, I am ready for it.’

83 is in cinemas now.

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