Ranveer Singh Bhavnani (pronounced[rəɳˈʋiːrsɪŋ]; born 6 July 1985) is an Indian actor who predominantly works inHindi films. He is the recipient ofseveral awards, including fiveFilmfare Awards. Singh is among the highest-paid Indian actors and has been featured inForbes India'sCelebrity 100 list since 2012.
He had further commercial success in the action filmSimmba (2018), Singh's performances as an aspiring rapper in the musical dramaGully Boy (2019) andKapil Dev in the sports film83 (2021) earned him twoFilmfare Awards for Best Actor. This success was followed by two commercially unsuccessful films, he starred inKaran Johar's romantic comedyRocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023) which earned him anotherBest Actor nomination at Filmfare.
In addition to films, he is a prominent endorser for several brands and products. He also ventured into singing, with songs and rap in his filmGully Boy (2019). He is married to his frequent co-starDeepika Padukone, with whom he has a daughter. Off-screen, he is known for his flamboyant fashion sense.
Early life and background
Ranveer Singh Bhavnani was born on 6 July 1985 into aSindhi family inBombay (now Mumbai),Maharashtra, India, to Anju and Jagjit Singh Bhavnani.[1][2][3][4] His grandparents moved to Bombay fromKarachi, Sindh (in present-day Pakistan) during thePartition of India.[5][6] He has an elder sister, Ritika Bhavnani.[1][7][8][9] Singh explains that he dropped his surname Bhavnani, since he felt that the name would have been "too long, too many syllables", thus downplaying his brand as a "saleable commodity".[10] Singh's paternal grandmother was character-actressChand Burke, who was born into aPunjabi Christian family[11] and was the sister of diplomat and writerSamuel Martin Burke, active in Pakistan following independence. Cousin of Singh's mother, Sunita Kapoor (née Bhavnani) is married to actorAnil Kapoor.[12]
Singh always aspired to be an actor, participating in several school plays and debates.[13][14] However, after he joinedH.R. College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai, Singh realised that getting a break in the film industry was not easy. Feeling that the idea of acting was "too far-fetched", Singh focused on creative writing.[14] He went to theUnited States where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Telecommunications fromIndiana University Bloomington in 2008.[8][15] At the university, he decided to take acting classes and took up theatre as hisminor.[14][16]
After completing his studies and returning to Mumbai in 2007, Singh worked for a few years in advertising as a copywriter, with agencies likeO&M andJ. Walter Thompson.[8] He also worked as an assistant director but left it to pursue acting. He then decided to send his portfolio to directors.[17] He would go for all kinds of auditions, but did not get any good opportunities, while only getting calls for minor roles: "Everything was so bleak. It was very frustrating. There were times I would think whether I was doing the right thing or not."[17]
In 2010, Singh auditioned for a lead role inManeesh Sharma'sBand Baaja Baaraat, a romantic comedy from the production companyYash Raj Films.[17] Impressed by his audition, producerAditya Chopra cast him for the part oppositeAnushka Sharma.[18][8] Singh described his role of Bittoo Sharma as a typical Delhi boy.[8] To prepare for the role, he spent time with students at theDelhi University campus.[14] Despite reservations about the film's commercial appeal from trade journalists,[19] the film emerged as asleeper hit.[20] Singh's performance was praised, withAnupama Chopra ofNDTV writing that Singh was "pitch perfect in the role of the uncouth but good-hearted small town slacker".[21] At the annualFilmfare Awards, Singh won the award forBest Male Debut.[22]
FollowingBand Baaja Baaraat, Singh signed on forLadies vs Ricky Bahl, a romantic comedy once again produced by Chopra, directed by Maneesh Sharma, and co-starring Anushka Sharma. He played a conman Ricky Bahl who cons girls for a living but finally meets his match.[23] According to Singh, the title character had various avatars in the film, including a chirpy, entertaining side and a sinister side.[7]Nikhat Kazmi ofThe Times of India wrote, "Ranveer is, well Ranveer: your average Joe kind of hero who looks convincing enough as Sunny, Deven, Iqbal, Ricky, his sundry avatars."[24] Singh received critical acclaim forVikramaditya Motwane's period romanceLootera (2013), co-starringSonakshi Sinha.[25] An adaptation ofO. Henry's short storyThe Last Leaf, the film tells the story of Pakhi Roy Chowdhury, a young Bengali woman who falls in love with Varun Shrivastava, a conman posing as an archaeologist.[26][27]Rajeev Masand ofCNN-IBN wrote that Singh "brings a quiet sensitivity to Varun, and occasionally a smoldering intensity. Offering a finely internalized performance, he leaves a lasting impression."[28]Lootera underperformed commercially.[29]
In 2014, Singh starred as a Bengali criminal inAli Abbas Zafar'sGunday, alongsideArjun Kapoor,Priyanka Chopra andIrrfan Khan.[37][38] David Chute ofVariety praised Singh's screen presence and wrote that he "tucks the movie's center of interest under his arm and takes it with him — even though he has the could-be-thankless "good brother" role".[39] Also, Singh's chemistry with Kapoor was considered by critic Rohit Khilnani to the prime asset of the film.[40]Gunday proved to be Singh's biggest box office opener,[41] and eventually emerged a box-office success with a revenue of₹100 crore (US$12 million) worldwide.[42] After a cameo appearance inFinding Fanny, Singh starred as a gangster inShaad Ali's crime dramaKill Dil oppositeParineeti Chopra andAli Zafar which was a critical and commercial failure.[43][44]
Commercial success (2015–2019)
Zoya Akhtar's ensemble comedy-dramaDil Dhadakne Do (2015), produced by and cameo-starring her brotherFarhan Akhtar, featured Singh alongsideAnil Kapoor,Shefali Shah and Priyanka Chopra as the younger sibling of a dysfunctional Punjabi business family who aspires to become a pilot. Writing forMumbai Mirror, Kunal Guha found Singh to be the "surprise element" of the film; he praised his "immaculate comic timing" and took note of his subtlety.[45] Commercially, the film underperformed.[46] He next reunited with Bhansali in the period romanceBajirao Mastani (2015), opposite Padukone and Chopra. He portrayedBajirao I, for which he shaved his head and to prepare, he locked himself in a hotel room for 21 days.[47][48]Raja Sen wrote that Singh "brings his character to life and does so with both machismo and grace", and commended him for his perfecting his character's gait and accent.[49] The film earned₹350 crore (US$41 million) to become one of thehighest-grossing Indian films, and garnered Singh theFilmfare Award for Best Actor.[50][51]
In 2016, Singh starred in Aditya Chopra's comedy-romanceBefikre oppositeVaani Kapoor. He played Dharam Gulati, a stand-up comic whose romantic liaisons with Kapoor's character leads to conflict between them. Set in Paris,Befikre marked the fourth project to be directed by Chopra.[52] Singh performed a nude scene for it, a rare occurrence in an Indian film.[53] Jay Weissberg ofVariety found the film to be an "overly energetic twist on the old friends with benefits theme" and criticised Singh's "manic behavior".[54] It underperformed at the box office.[55]
After a year-long absence from the screen, Singh portrayedAlauddin Khilji, a ruthless Muslim king, in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period dramaPadmaavat (2018), co-starring Deepika Padukone andShahid Kapoor, which marked his third collaboration with Bhansali and Padukone.[56]Right-wing Hindu groups speculated that the film distorted historical facts and issued violent threats against the cast and crew. The film's release was deferred and was allowed for exhibition after several modifications were made to it.[57][58] Ankur Pathak ofHuffPost criticised the film's misogynistic and regressive themes, but praised Singh for his "astute brilliance" in depicting Khilji's bisexuality.[59] Rajeev Masand opined that he "plays the part with the sort of grotesque flamboyance that makes it hard to look at anyone or anything else when he's on the screen".[60]Padmaavat's production budget of₹200 crore (US$24 million) made it themost expensive Hindi film ever made at that time.[61] With a worldwide gross of over₹570 crore (US$67 million), it ranks as Singh's highest-grossing release and is among India cinema's biggest grossers.[62][63] He won theFilmfare Critics Award for Best Actor (shared withAyushmann Khurrana forAndhadhun) and gained a Best Actor nomination at the ceremony.[64][65]
At the end of the same year, Singh played the titular corrupt policeman inRohit Shetty's action comedySimmba, based on theTelugu filmTemper (2015), co-starringSara Ali Khan andSonu Sood, which marked his first collaboration with filmmakerKaran Johar, who co-produced the film with Shetty.[66][67] Despite disliking the film, Uday Bhatia ofMint credited Singh for playing his "cardboard creation" of a character with an "underlying sweetness that renders it more winsome than the humorless masculinity ofDevgn'sSingham".[68] With worldwide earnings of₹400 crore (US$47 million),Simmba emerged as Singh's secondtop-earning Indian film of 2018.[62]
Singh reteamed with Zoya Akhtar onGully Boy (2019), a musical inspired by the life of the street rappersDivine andNaezy.[69] Singh found little in common with his character of a poor man who aspires to become a rapper, and in preparation he underwent acting workshops and spent time with both Divine and Naezy. He performed his own rap songs and was pleased that the film brought attention to India's underground music scene.[70] The film premiered at the69th Berlin International Film Festival.[71] Deborah Young ofThe Hollywood Reporter commended him for displaying a "pleasingly full emotional range that extends to drama and hip-hop" and writing forFilm Companion,Baradwaj Rangan praised his ghetto accent and found his understated performance to be a "superb show reel for his range".[72][73]Gully Boy won a record 13 Filmfare Awards, and Singh received another Best Actor award.[74]
Commercial struggles (2020–present)
Singh in 2022
In 2021, Singh hosted the television game showThe Big Picture, which aired onColors TV.[75][76] He reprised his role as Simmba in Shetty's action filmSooryavanshi in an extended cameo.[77] Singh then portrayed cricketerKapil Dev inKabir Khan's83, a sports film based on the1983 Cricket World Cup. Initially planned for a 2020 release,83 was delayed several times owing to casting and pre-production that postponed filming, and later due to theCOVID-19 pandemic in India.[78] Reviews for the film were positive, with praise for Singh's portrayal of Dev.[79] The film failed to recoup its large₹270 crore (US$32 million) investment.[80] Singh's performance won him his third Filmfare Award for Best Actor.[81]
Singh's first film release of 2022 wasJayeshbhai Jordaar, a satire aboutfemale infanticide in India.Anna M.M. Vetticad ofFirstpost disliked the film but commended him for "transform[ing] his body, body language and demeanour, his posture, his walk, his gestures and his entire personality" for the part, similar to how he had "metamorphosed" to play Dev in83.[82] Following this, both he andVarun Sharma played dual roles of identical pairs of twin brothers separated at birth in Shetty's ensemble comedyCirkus (2022), a remake of the 1982 filmAngoor, which was based onWilliam Shakespeare's playComedy of Errors.[83] In a scathing review, Nandini Ramnath ofScroll.in dismissed Singh's performance as "consistently lacklustre".[84] BothJayeshbhai Jordar andCirkus were commercially unsuccessful.[85]
In 2023, Singh starred in Karan Johar's romantic comedyRocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, oppositeAlia Bhatt.[86] Johar based the character of Rocky on gym ratinfluencers fromWest Delhi; in preparation, Singh spent time with one such influencer named Yuvraj Dua, learning his dialect and mannerisms.[87][88] He also trained inKathak for a sequence in which he had to dance to "Dola Re Dola".[89]Mayank Shekhar believed that he "owns this role like nothing short of an inimitable rock-star",[90] while Anupama Chopra wrote that he "combines the charm offensive with moments of vulnerability and tears with great aplomb".[91] Earning over₹350 crore (US$41 million) worldwide, it emerged as one of the year's highest-grossing Hindi films.[92] He received another Best Actor nomination at Filmfare.[93]
Singh once again played Simmba in Shetty's action sequelSingham Again (2024), alongside an ensemble cast.[94] Despite disliking the film, NDTV'sSaibal Chatterjee considered Singh to be its "brightest spark" and commended his comic timing.[95]Singham Again had modest box-office returns on its high production budget.[citation needed] He will next leadAditya Dhar'sDhurandhar, an action thriller film.[96]
Personal life
Singh and Padukone at their wedding reception in 2018
Singh began dating Deepika Padukone, his co-star inGoliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, in August 2012.[97] In October 2018, the couple announced their impending marriage.[98] The following month, they married in traditionalKonkaniHindu and SikhAnand Karaj (Singh's paternal grandfather was Sikh)[99] ceremonies atLake Como, Italy.[100][101] On 8 September 2024, Padukone gave birth to their daughter Dua Padukone Singh.[102]
Media image and reception
Singh has appeared inForbes India'sCelebrity 100 list since 2012, reaching his highest position (seventh) in 2019.[103][104][105] That year, the magazine estimated his annual earnings to be₹118 crore (US$14 million) and ranked him as the fifth-highest-paid actor in the country.[106] He was also featured byGQ in their listing of the 50 most influential young Indians of 2017 and 2019.[107][108] In 2019,India Today featured him among the nation's 50 most powerful people, and in 2023, he featured in a similar list byThe Indian Express.[109][110]
In addition to his acting career, Singh launched his own record label in 2019, named IncInk, to promote local musicians.[111] He endorses several brands,[112] includingAdidas,[113]Head & Shoulders,[114]Ching's,[115]Jack & Jones,Thums Up,[112] andMakeMyTrip.[116] Singh is also an investor inVineeta Singh's start-up Sugar Cosmetics.[117]Kroll Inc. (formerly Duff & Phelps) estimated his brand value to be US$63 million, in 2019, the fourth-highest of Indian celebrities.[118] In 2022 and 2023, he held the second position, peaking with a brand value of US$203.1 million in the latter year.[119][120] In 2024, he acquired a 50% stake in Elite Mindset, a packaged foods company.[121]
Off-screen work
Off-screen, Singh is known for his flamboyant fashion sense.[122][123] In July 2022, Singh appeared nude in a photoshoot forPaper magazine.[124] A month later, he was summoned byMumbai Police for questioning in connection with several police complaints that were filed against him after the pictures went viral on social media.[125][126] The image was later used as the cover artwork for the song "Goodbye Evergreen" fromSufjan Stevens's 2023 albumJavelin.[127] In December 2023, a life-size, wax figure of him was installed at London and Singapore'sMadame Tussauds museums.[128]
^abcd"Interview: Ranveer Singh". Glamsham.com. Fifth Quarter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. 9 December 2010. Archived fromthe original on 12 December 2010. Retrieved29 January 2011.
^abcVarde, Ashwin (24 December 2010)."Ranveer Singh – A Star Is Born".Starweek Magazine. Mumbai, India: Magna Publication Co. Ltd:23–27.Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved31 December 2010.
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