You remember him as Bajirao, Alauddin Khilji and Deepika Padukone’s groom. Now brace yourself to see him as a police officer in Simmba

The nation’s love affair with him began eight years ago. It was with the Yash Raj film Band Baaja Baaraat (2010) that Ranveer Singh enjoyed the limelight for the first time. The big banner had little to do with it, though. It was his infectious energy, seamless acting and on-screen chemistry with co-actor Anushka Sharma that made him appeal to the audience.

Since childhood, Ranveer Singh wanted to be in films. He used to be a part of his theatre group in school, he recalls. And before marking his debut, he even worked as a copy editor at an ad agency, as well as an assistant director. But his passion for acting made him leave his job and venture into the film world. Luckily enough, his talent was noticed and he got the lead role in a big banner like Yash Raj in his debut itself.

After his debut, he has proven his versatility time and again with films like Lootera, Ramleela, Bajirao Mastaani, Paadmaavat, Dil Dhadakne Do, Befikre and more. Be it a boy next door (as played in Befikre) or an intense character like Bajirao (in Bajirao Mastani) – he has unfailingly delivered his best in each one.

The 33-year-old actor has worked with some of the renowned filmmakers of Bollywood like Zoya Akhtar, Vikramaditya Motwane, Aditya Chopra, Ali Abbas Zafar and more. But he has delivered some of his career best performance with the immensely talented filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

In Bhansali’s Padmaavat, Singh was seen as Alauddin Khilji – a character which was one of the toughest he portrayed on-screen. Singh says he was quite nervous before playing Khijli, but it was the support of his family and friends that helped him overcome his fears. He further adds that though personally he does not like the character, but he wanted to do justice to it and thus gave it his all. Singh admits that though it is easy to act in a romantic film, but he likes to explore and improve his skills with each film.

His on-screen chemistry with Anushka Sharma has made the pair appear in three films together. Singh was allegedly in a relationship with the talented actor as well, but it ended soon. It was in the sets of Bhansali’s Ramleela that he met Deepika Padukone and apparently, they began dating thereafter.

Though they never admitted to their relationship publicly, but the duo was spotted at various places on several occasions. After dating for five years or so, they finally tied the knot on November 14 this year in Italy. When the wedding pictures of the duo were released on Instagram by the couple themselves, they became the talk of the town.

After eight years in the film industry, Singh has come across as one of the most sought after stars. He not only portrayed versatile characters onscreen, but won hearts of millions by his warm, down-to-earth and feisty demeanour. Presently, he is working for two films – one is Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy and another is Rohit Shetty’s Simmba. In the former, he will be seen opposite Alia Bhat for the first time. While the shooting for Gully Boy is still on, Simmba is all set to release next month.

This film will bring him in a whole new avatar. Singh will be playing a cop in Simmba, for the very first time. His new look featuring khaki uniform and moustache, has been widely appreciated by his fans. Filmmaker Rohit Shetty said that it will be a full-on action film and audience will get to see him in action sequences like never before.

Simmba will also have newbie Sara Ali Khan, who is going to mark her debut this year with Sushant Singh starrer Kedarnath. It is the remake of the Telugu film Temper.The film has been talked about since the launch of its first look. Moreover, just two months away from its release, the film has garnered hype due to its battle of screens and promotional spaces with Shah Rukh Khan starrer Zero. Simmba is all set to hit the theatres on December 28, a week after Zero. And, the much-awaited trailer will be launched on December 3.