Ranveer’s Bajirao regime

Ranveer Singh talks about preparing for his epic role of Bajirao in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus Bajirao Mastani.

Going into a cocoon

Oh, that was valuable. Words can't express what I gained from the experience. Boxing champ Muhammad Ali had said something to the effect of, 'All the work is done before you go under the lights.' I had only three weeks before the shooting commenced and those had to be intensive. I was at a suburban hotel and would take a special elevator to go to the gym so that I could avoid meeting people. I spent hours there to begin my physical transformation, to look like a man with immense strength. I remember reading up and watching everything I could lay my hands on about Bajirao. The thing is Bhansali sir (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) had given me the freedom to present myself as I wanted to. He told me that he trusted my creative choices and what I brought to the table and he would go with that.

Need to relax

After Bajirao, I want to go away somewhere and take a break. Playing Bajirao was an intense experience. I need to chill for a bit after this.

Moustache maintenance

I take 10 minutes every day. I apply the strongest gel by using a specialised paintbrush and then use a hairdryer. I like it; it's a bit like the one Salvador Dali sported. As I don't consider myself an extraordinarily good looking man, this kind of works for me.