Ranveer Singh opens up on rivalry rumours with Shahid Kapoor in ‘Padmavati’

Ranveer Singh who will be seen in a biographical role of Alauddin Khilji in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmavati’ has been on a clarification mode. Well, the movie that has been in controversies owing to its casting changes and fees of the actors, was also in the news for the rumoured rivalry between the two main leads Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor.

Now, Ranveer Singh has clarified on the so-called rivalry between him and Shahid Kapoor. Speaking to a leading daily, he said, “At the beginning of the year, Mr Bhansali spoke to me about it, saying, ‘I want to make a film called Padmavati with you.’ I thought it was going to be a beauty versus the beast or the heroine versus an anti-hero kind of a story. I was very excited and committed to it. Then, I went to shoot Befikre, while the scripting for Padmavati was on. When I came back and read the script, there was a prominent third part. I told him what I thought about the script. As a policy, I never get into the casting decisions of a film, unless my opinion or suggestion is asked for. We had that discussion and I clearly told him that, ‘We should get the best possible actor to play this part.’ And I am very excited about Shahid [coming on board]. I think he’s a brilliant actor and an amazing inclusion to our team. He will add immense value.”

He further added, “I committed to the film even before the script was ready. I was always going to do this film, regardless of who was cast as Padmavati or Rawal Ratan Singh (Shahid’s role). It’s a very conscious decision to do a part (Alauddin Khilji), which is challenging and completely out of my comfort zone. I knew that it would be a maverick move and could be a risk. But, I listened to my instincts and went ahead with it. There’s no question of opting out. I always wanted to do something different; I was always interested in doing an anti-hero part, and who better to do it with than Mr Bhansali.”

Prajakta Ajgaonkar

Passionate about writing, and a Bollywood lover, she is all that is sweet and endearing! She desires to put her best foot forward in everything that she does and loves to help anyone who’s in need.