Among the finest actors of our generation, Ranbir Kapoor has delivered some stellar, thought-provoking performances in his decade-long career.
Right from his debut movie 'Saawariya', RK has shown the endearing quality of catapulting and transporting the audiences into the character he is portraying.
With every movie, his expressions and emoting skills put him in the league of the finest actors in times where the 'Khans' and 'Kumar' rule the BO through sheer star power and not necessarily fine content always.
In recent times, the likes of Ranveer Singh and Varun Dhawan have moved ahead in terms of bankability in terms of BO collections through their smart choice of movies aided by some fine performances. Sadly, Ranbir's choice of movies in recent times was questioned as these movies didn't become hits.
Varun Dhawan has struck gold commercially and critically with films like 'Badrinath Ki Dulhania', 'Judwaa 2' and ' October ' and Ranveer with movies like 'Dil Dhadakne Do' and especially with a strong, commanding performance in the stupendously successful 'Padmaavat'.
Post his last solo success, 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' which was released in 2013, RK has delivered 5 feature films (excluding the cameos in PK, Roy etc). Till 2013, he was a hit-making machine, but 'Besharam' brought him from his tide of success. The slump in form was clearly evident as one after another film crashed. Be it Anurag Kashyap's most expensive film ever 'Bombay Velvet' or Imtiaz Ali's 'Tamasha' or Anurag Basu's magnum opus 'Jagga Jasoos' nothing worked for the once perfect, Ranbir Kapoor. His only saving grace during this period was PK where he played a cameo, and Karan Johar's 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'. Karan's film was embroiled in a controversy related to the casting of Fawad Khan. Hence, no one uttered RK's name when the film became a success, as Fawad Khan grabbed the limelight.
Even though 'Jagga Jasoos' and 'Tamasha' tanked at the BO, they remain among the finest movies in recent memory. Almost everything in these movies was brilliant- the performances, music, direction and cinematography. Both were weirdly perfect and if viewers had tried to envision the movies from the director's point of view, they would have enjoyed both immensely. So, it is not like RK was doing bad films, even his good films were somehow not working out.
Just to give a glimpse of how well Ranbir has managed to portray a multitude of emotions and deserved more accolades in his last two movies.
Keeping his recent track record in mind, it was important that the actor in Ranbir Kapoor found a director and a script so he can find the right balance- where he could showcase his natural acting talent and also which could become a hit at the BO. To remain relevant, RK needed a hit at the BO.
So it came as a good news when Ranbir decided to team up with a director who has never tasted failure at the BO and rightly so- Rajkumar Hirani and Ranbir went ahead with ' Sanju' a biopic on Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt's life.
Raju Hirani's movies always have been entertaining and fun to watch. He has raised questions at the education system, on religion and got away without having to face the wrath of any fringe outfits because of his execution. The movies aren't preachy and yet they manage to convey the message in a lively manner.
Like every cinema buff, it was really exciting to see two proven talents come together for ' Sanju'. Ranbir Kapoor's fantastic transformation- both physically and in mannerisms was evident in the trailer itself. What impressed everyone the most was how RK got the eyes of Sanju Baba aka Sanjay Dutt spot on. That is something worth lauding and appreciating.
And after seeing the movie, we can confirm that Ranbir as Sanjay Dutt was fantastic. He is the heart and soul of the movie. His physical transformation from a 20-year-old Sanjay Dutt coping with drugs, to the actor currently- was spot on. Ranbir made us the audience feel that Sanjay Dutt was actually acting in the movie; such was the conviction in his performance.
' Sanju' is Raju Hirani's weakest directorial as the usual elements one associate with his movies are missing. Probably, since it is a biopic of a man who has lived such a layered life, and to cover all the aspects of his life in a movie's timeline is such an impossible task, and on top of that the big challenge Indian filmmakers face when it comes to biopics, is to be truthful to the actual story. The biopics are always altered and often dramatised enough with that very popular Bollywood 'masala' to suit the taste buds of the film goers.
But Ranbir Kapoor stands tall in this movie as he did in 'Jagga Jasoos', and 'Tamasha'. But here since he's playing someone who is a known, popular personality and also since a Raju Hirani movie comes with its own thrills and expectations, RK has managed to strike gold at the BO.
After 'Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani', ' Sanju' is the first Ranbir Kapoor movie to have crossed the 100 crore mark, and that too in the first three days itself. He truly deserves it. He carried the movie on his shoulder and everyone should see how well he has acted in this movie. The Raju Hirani factor also worked its magic and played a part in making ' Sanju ' the biggest ever grosser in 2018, surpassing the star-studded 'Race 3' and 'Padmaavat'.
It would be fitting to end this article by quoting Paresh Rawal who essayed the role of Sunil Dutt beautifully- 'Ranbir Kapoor's acting should be used as a case study to understand how to get into a character and transform into that. Anyone could have mimicked Sanju's voice and mannerisms but what baffles me is how he managed to get those eyes of Sanjay Dutt '.
We have to completely agree with what the veteran actor has to say. Ranbir as Sanju has smashed all box office records and brought back RK in the reckoning as far as a saleable actor goes, as there were no doubts about RK's abilities as an actor or dancer and there never should be- something that's confirmed after ' Sanju '.
Read More Artciles:
