Ranbir Kapoor at the Big Adda Yamaha Bike Rally

The love of Rocket Singh's life is sales: Ranbir

Ranbir Kapoor and on screen romance almost go hand in hand but his much awaited "Rocket Singh: Salesman Of The Year" has no love angle. He says the film's protagonist is completely in love with sales.

"It is not a love story. The character Rocket Singh is in love with sales. It's a very simple movie," Ranbir told IANS.

This year Ranbir was seen with Konkona Sen Sharma in hit movie "Wake Up Sid" and later teamed up with Katrina Kaif in romantic comedy "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani", winning the hearts of audiences.

And now comes "Rocket Singh" in which he plays Harpreet Singh Bedi, who has just graduated with embarrassing marks. But that doesn't stop him from dreaming about an exciting career. Releasing Friday, the film has been made under the Yash Raj Films' banner.

This is the first film in which Ranbir's physical appearance has been changed for a role. He looks a typical Sikh youth complete with a turban and beard. "It was very important to feel the character first, later you automatically start living him," Ranbir said.

He said that director Shimit Amin and screenwriter Jaideep Sahni had held different workshops for the cast and the crew before starting the shoot.

"Shimit wanted to make the character as real as possible so that it doesn't look as if an actor is trying to be a sardar. Shimit and Jaideep held workshops for 30 days, not just with me but the entire cast and crew," the actor said.

But despite being a Punjabi, Ranbir's character speaks fluent Hindi. "He is Mumbai-based fourth generation sardar, so he has no influence of a Punjabi accent in his diction," Ranbir explained.

In real life too, Ranbir is half Sikh as his maternal grandparents were Sikh.

"My maternal grandmother was extremely thrilled that I was playing a Sardar," said Ranbir.

"I am half sikh though I didn't understand the religion like I do after doing this film. I respect the sacrifices they made and the discipline they have in their religion. It's not that easy to keep a beard and tie pagdi (turban) in warm countries. I really respect them because they do it for their religion and not for their comfort," he said.

Asked what Rocket Singh sells, he said: It's an integral part of the film and we want to guard it till the film releases."

Ranbir hopes that "Rocket Singh...", which is his last release of the year, repeats the success stories of his previous releases and ends the year on a happy note.

"Some films work, some don't. 'Wake Up Sid' worked in a capacity it was meant to work. 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' was a big grosser. As an actor I would like every film of mine to do well. It feels great, as the hard work you put in this whole year has been paid off. With 'Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year', I hope it does better than better," said Ranbir.

Asked if this back-to-back success was adding to the pressure on him, he said: "There is no pressure at all. I am an actor, I don't believe in genes or living in what my great grandfather or my parents have achieved. Here I am as an individual and that's how audiences are going to perceive me, not as someone's son or grandson."

"If my films are doing well, I would like to take some credit for it," he added.

The title song of "Chak De! India", Shimit Amin's last film, had become a sports anthem.

"I hope 'Pocket main Rocket' becomes a salesman's anthem," Ranbir said.

Ranbir, Priyanka didn't hike fee for my movie: Sajid Nadiadwala

Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra are riding high at the box office these days but they offered to keep their fees at the most reasonable for "Anjana Anjani", making Sajid Nadiadwala a happy producer.

"Ranbir and Priyanka were already part of our extended family. When Ranbir's father Chintu-ji (Rishi Kapoor) was working in my dad's production 'Hathyar', I was an assistant. That's when I got to know Chintu-ji and his family," Nadiadwala told IANS.

"Priyanka has been family from the time she did 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi' for my banner. So yes, they've certainly not hiked their price just because they are super-saleable today. In fact, they didn't even discuss money with me."

This is Ranbir and Priyanka's first film together and Nadiadwala says their chemistry was evident in Bangkok. "Both Ranbir and Priyanka have changed their looks for this film. They hardly knew one another before the shooting. So they're getting to know each other as their on-screen romance progresses.

"Ranbir is entertaining on screen. But he carries that sense of fun from the screen to the sets. Priyanka was in her own shell to begin with. But her resolve didn't take long to dissolve," he said.

Nadiadwala's last release "Kambakht Ishq", which starred Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor, got a lukewarm response but it hasn't dissuaded him from shooting "Anjana Anjani" in foreign locales. He heads to the US to shoot the film.

Those who thought Nadiadwala was done with sylvester Stallone, who played a cameo in his "Kambakht Ishq", here's the surprise element - he has an appointment with the Hollywood action star who may make an appearance in "Anjana Anjani" as well.

"We don't work that way in our production house. Our bonds are for keeps," said the producer, whose elder son Subhaan is a big fan of Stallone.

Subhaan kept in touch with his idol long after "Kambakht Ishq" came and went.

"Subhaan is coming with us only to meet Stallone. To call him Stallone's fan would be an understatement. He isn't a fan, he's a fanatic. His day starts with Stallone's signature song 'Eye Of The Tiger' from 'Rocky'. He knows every trivia associated with Stallone,"Nadiadwala said.

Ranbir Kapoor on Mani Ratnam's wishlist

Ranbir Kapoor has every reason to be exuberant. His career going great guns, the young and handsome lad is slowly but surely emerging as the superstar of tomorrow. No surprise that he’s on the wishlist of top notch directors.

Mani Ratnam is learnt to be interested in casting Ranbir for his next film after Raavan. The film is tentatively titled ‘Azan’ and will probably have Ranbir playing the titular protagonist who is named Azan because he was born at a time when a call to prayer (Azan) in the mosque was made.

Unlike the recent films on jihad or terrorism, this flick is said to be based on a theme that will present the Muslim perspective from a different angle.

Ratnam has reportedly been tracing the continuous rise of Ranbir ever since he made his debut in Saawariya. The success of Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani has only cemented Ranbir’s position as not just a bankable star but also an actor of talent.

If Ranbir indeed agrees to act in Azan, the movie will go on the floors after the release of ‘Raavan’ in May next year.