Ranveer Singh Gully Boy

People are loving your music. How does it feel?

I wasn’t expecting so much response. It’s a huge thing for me that I have done vocals for the first time
and everyone loved it.

Do you plan to take up singing after Gully Boy?

No, no, rapping is descent. It has gone to number 1, it must be okay at least. I have given my vocals to
five songs, a few poems and it feels awesome to see the track doing so well. It is not typical popular
music like Aankh Maarey. Apna Time Ayega is legit hip-hop. It is significant for underground and
independent music that a legit hip-hop song can get such mainstream acceptance.

How did you feel after watching the film?

It is a very special experience, very emotional experience. The film really made us feel something. If you
have worked on something and you can still be moved by it when you see it as a ready product, then
that is significant. We are very happy, proud and excited to present it to the audience. Also I am a little
bit anxious for audience’s reaction.

How did the singing happen?

I tend to enthusiastically jump at opportunities. In the beginning, I wanted to rap but Zoya was not sure.
She was like I don’t know if you will be good enough, this is a full music album, I know you have done
live shows here and there but if you are not good enough, I will not let you give the vocals to my music
album, so you have to give a test. The film is about a young boy wanting to become a musician. I feel, it
calls for the actor playing the part to lend his voice to the music. So, while I was very keen, she was
unsure. I had to sing Mere Gully Mein and they were quite impressed.

You have become a bankable star after Simmba

Sometimes when I am talking to my marketing team or somebody from distribution, they are like, “aur
Simmba ke baad toh…”. I feel great, fantastic. It is a welcome tag to be honest. It is creatively
empowering. I think it comes with a little bit of responsibility because people believe if your name is
attached to a film or project, that’s a promise of quality, a promise of entertainment. People are paying
their hard earned money to buy tickets to go to the hall, believing in the promise of entertainment that
you have made, that you will deliver. You have to rise up to that. People are putting their trust in you,
their money on you. So, I understand that responsibility and choose my stories wisely. I am doing the
best I can.
Relatability of the film

The characters of the film are very relatable because they are so grounded. The world that Zoya has
created, in her craft she is very particular about these kind of detailing. When you watch the film, you
can almost smell Dharavi. It’s quite amazing what she has achieved.

How easy or difficult was it to portray a character like this?

One has to become comfortable as an actor to reveal that side of yourself. It’s just a very real and
authentic version of me. It’s something which you protect from people and perhaps that side of you
comes up in front of people you really trust like my family, close friends, my wife. I wasn’t initially very
comfortable being that naked emotionally in front of the camera. I think it is because of the relationship
Zoya has cultivated with me, I really trust her. More than just a filmmaker she is my friend. We share a
very warm and affectionate relationship, which is why she is able to reach that part of me. It exploded
first in Lootera, then in Dil Dhadakne Do.

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