A royal treat

Neha Saini

Chilled out and up to his usual frolics, Ranveer Singh once again managed to turn the entertainment quotient a notch higher for the journos.

From singing Proper Patola to listing out his favourite Punjabi singers, including Gippy Grewal and Diljit Dosanjh, to asking if Jazzy B will be coming to a particular award function where the duo were special guests, he gave thumbs-up to Punjab and its people.

“I think Punjabis are very happy, peaceful people. I was in Amritsar for a day while shooting for Lootera and I went to the Golden Temple and it was spectacular,” he said. His leading lady in Bajirao Mastani, Deepika Padukone, who was sitting beside him smiling, agreed. “I too enjoy my brief outings in Punjab. Last time I was here I had the best Amritsari Macchi,” she shared.

And, with these happy memories of Amritsar, the leading stars of Bajirao Mastani began their day-long promotional tour. Both the actors also attended a Punjabi music award function organized by a radio channel later in the evening.

The film is special for Ranveer as it will also mark his five years in Bollywood. “It’s amazing that Bajirao Mastani will release in a week’s time and I completed five years of working in Bollywood. A lot of blood, sweat and tears have been put into the film.”

Calling it as one of the most challenging roles he ever played, Ranveer said Bajirao was a military genius “He fought 41 battles without losing and he was a passionate ruler and obedient son. To play Bajirao on screen was physically demanding and I have tried to infuse all my emotions into the character. The film is inspiring.”

Deepika too felt that the film is more than just a project for the actors. “I learnt fencing, horse riding and Kathak to play the warrior princess Mastani. It’s a special film as it has added to my personality.’ She too, like many of her fans, is waiting anxiously for the film’s release.

“We have not seen the film and so we are equally anxious about how it’s going to work out. Sanjay conceived the idea of Bajirao Mastani 12 years ago and I was in school when I used to read about such a film being made. So, I am waiting with my fingers crossed,” she said. Calling every woman a Mastani in real life, Deepika is sure that every girl, every woman would relate to her character. “Mastani is determined, brave and passionate and I feel every woman is faced with similar emotions and situations every day.”

Ranveer’s Bajiirao is fearless. “One thing I could relate with Bajirao was that he was fearless and not afraid of the consequences.”

A compete entertainer that he is, Ranveer said his ultimate goal was to become a successful mainstream hero in Bollywood.