Actor Ranveer Singh has been chosen to play the lead role in Aditya Chopra's directorial comeback "Befikre". The announcement itself was as unique as the way the plans of the Yash Raj Films (YRF) project were revealed.
With "Befikre", Aditya is returning to the director's chair after seven years. Details of the movie's cast have been much-awaited. The cat's out of the bag now with Ranveer featuring in an over three-minute online video, which opens with a line saying "Introducing the LEAD ACTOR of Aditya Chopra's #Befikre Those Who Dare to Love".
A moustachioed Ranveer breaks into a conversation with viewers. Donning a hat, black framed spectacles and a sweatshirt, he is seen talking about the "really special video".
"In case you are wondering where I am. I am at a very very special place. This is the fourth floor at Yash Raj Studios. It's where Yashji used to sit and Adi sir sits, and essentially where I started my journey as an actor," Ranveer said.
"About five years ago, I was a struggling actor and it was my dream to be in the movies and I gave this audition...and after many auditions I was called into this office where Adi sir sits. He sat me across the couch and he gave me the news that I was selected to be the lead in the Yash Raj film, and I sat across the couch but I showed no emotion," said the actor, who made debut in Bollywood with YRF's "Band Baaja Baaraat" in 2010.
He went on to add that he simply nodded and listened to what Aditya had to say, but soon after stepping out of his room, it "kind of dawned on me what just happened".
"My dream had been realised and the news was so overwhelming that I went down on my knees and realised what had just happened and I started crying."
"Adi sir emerged from here and he saw me crying. He put his hand on my shoulder and said 'You will do it'. And now five years later, I've had a little bit of journey as an actor."
Calling his journey wonderful, he said that he always wanted to be in Aditya's film and "to be directed by my mentor".
It was like deja vu for him as he returned to the same office and had a chat with the filmmaker.
When he was being told about the film's casting, he did the same - showed no emotion!
And after walking out of the room, he realised what's just happened and he got overwhelmed again.
The "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" director put his arm across the actor's shoulder and told him the same thing - "You will do it".
"So this is something that is a really big deal for me... close to my heart. Adi sir is such a good filmmaker. He could have had whosoever he wanted to be in his movie, but he chose me, that means a lot to me. That's special, so I want to share that with you guys," the actor signed off.
This video was an innovation after Aditya chose to announce "Befikre" on his father and veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra's 83rd birth anniversary last month, via an imaginary converation in an e-letter.
