'Lootera' character completely unlike me: Ranveer Singh

It was hard for Ranveer Singh to metamorphose from his high-energy self to portray a broody and reserved character in Vikramaditya Motwane's period romance Lootera which he says is his toughest role so far.

Inspired by O Henry's famous story The Last Leaf, Lootera is set in Bengal of 1950s. It is Motwane's second film after his much acclaimed Udaan.

Ranveer, 27, says he stopped watching TV, using mobile phone or computer to prepare for the movie but the real challenge came when he had to portray the character.

"I am full of high energy, very talkative and extrovert in real life but my character is very reserved in Lootera. He is intense, almost brooding. I was just not able to crack this role during the workshop and felt frustrated. I asked Vikram why he picked me for this role, it was so unlike me," Ranveer told PTI in an interview.

The actor says despite his initial doubts, he managed to surprise himself by his acting thanks to his director's help.

"Vikram used to tell me that I have a side like this. He used to tell me, 'Trust the power of camera' and it really helped me a lot during the filming. This role was something that could have gone easily wrong for me," says Ranveer, who is paired opposite Sonkashi Sinha in the film.

After making a successful debut as a street smart wedding planner in Yashraj Films' Band Baaja Baarat, Ranveer went on to deliver another hit in Ladies Vs Ricky Behl..

Counted among one of most promising talents in Bollywood, the actor recently bagged Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Ram Leela opposite Deepika Padukone and Yashraj's next film Gunday with Arjun Kapoor.

Lootera, which will hit theatres in March next year, will be his third release. Ranveer reveals that Motwane offered him the role during their first meeting at an award function.

"I loved Udaan and when when I met him at Filmfare award function I told him that I would love to work with him and immediately without blinking for a second he said, 'I have something for you'.

"Next day we met over lunch and he handed me the complete bound script of Lootera. I cried when I read the story. It is one of the best scripts I ever read and it has shaped up beautifully on the screen."

His link-up rumours with Anushka and Sonakshi notwithstanding, the actor says he liked working with the Dabangg star.

"I am very happy that Sonakshi also liked the script and agreed to be a part of this film. A lot is being written about us and however unwarranted it maybe, there is an anticipation for our pairing onscreen."

Ranveer is also delighted to play a role in the adaptation of on of his favourite childhood stories through this film.

"I think I read The Last Leaf in class IX or X. It used to be one of my favourite stories apart from 'Love Across the Salt Desert'. JP Duttaji already made 'Refugee' on 'Salt Desert' while Vikram took up this story. I feel lucky to get to perform on an adaptation of one of my favourite stories."

The actor hurt his back seriously while doing a stunt scene in the movie, which saw him being bed-ridden for almost a month. The recovery process took almost a year.

"No film is without its share of problems. We had couple of hiccups during the shooting. The first set of the film fell down due to heavy snowfall in Dalhousie, which delayed the shot. When we resumed shooting, I ended up hurting my back seriously."

Ranveer says the incident taught him not to take his body lightly and he embarked on becoming fit.

"I was in bed for a month actually. The rehabilitation process took some time. It taught me a lesson that you can't take your body for granted. I am fitter than ever now because of that incident."

Ranveer has already begun shooting for Ram Leela.

"It is an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet and set in Gujarat. It is a musical and very colourful film. I love dancing and I get to do that a lot in this film. In fact, this character is closer to who I am in real life."

While Gunday again is a period film by Ali Abbas Zafar and goes on floor by December.