Ahead of ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge' release, revisiting Ranveer Singh’s iconic characters like Khilji, Bajirao, Rocky Randhawa

Over the past 16 years, Ranveer Singh has constantly reinvented himself on screen, effortlessly slipping into diverse characters. From fierce historical warriors to emotional lovers and rebellious street artists, the actor has explored a wide acting spectrum. As he prepares to portray Hamza in ‘Dhurandhar 2’, directed by Aditya Dhar, here’s a revisit of standout performances that showcase his remarkable range as an actor.

‘Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela’ marked one of Ranveer’s early breakthrough performances. Playing the impulsive yet passionate Ram, he delivered a vibrant performance filled with romance and intensity. His on-screen chemistry with Deepika Padukone became one of the film’s highlights, helping the love story strike a chord with audiences.

In ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’, directed by Zoya Akhtar, Ranveer portrayed Kabir Mehra, a charming young man struggling with family expectations. Unlike his louder roles, this character demanded a more subtle and restrained performance. Ranveer balanced humour, vulnerability and emotional conflict, making Kabir relatable to many viewers.

Portraying the legendary Maratha commander Peshwa Bajirao in ‘Bajirao Mastani’ demanded tremendous dedication from Ranveer. He underwent extensive physical preparation and worked hard to master the Marathi dialect. The actor convincingly captured Bajirao’s warrior spirit as well as his emotional vulnerability, making the character both heroic and deeply human on screen.

Singh delivered one of the most chilling villainous performances in recent Hindi cinema with his portrayal of Sultan Alauddin Khilji in ‘Padmaavat’. With intense body language, wild energy and a menacing screen presence, he completely transformed into the ruthless ruler. His powerful act made the antagonist unforgettable and proved that he could dominate the screen even without playing the conventional hero.

In Rohit Shetty’s action entertainer ‘Simmba’, Ranveer played the flamboyant police officer Sangram Bhalerao. Initially portrayed as a corrupt cop chasing personal gains, the character undergoes a moral transformation after a tragic incident. Ranveer infused the role with humour, energy and emotional depth, turning the mass entertainer into a major box-office success.

In ‘Gully Boy’, Ranveer stepped into the shoes of Murad, a young dreamer from Mumbai’s Dharavi who discovers his voice through rap. The actor trained in rapping and adapted a restrained acting style for the role. His grounded portrayal resonated strongly with audiences and critics alike, making Murad one of the most relatable characters in contemporary Bollywood.

Ranveer impressed fans and cricket lovers alike with his portrayal of legendary Indian captain Kapil Dev in ‘83’. From mimicking Dev’s unique speaking style to replicating his bowling action and on-field confidence, Ranveer worked meticulously on every detail. The performance beautifully captured the emotion and pride surrounding India’s historic 1983 Cricket World Cup victory.

Ranveer brought flamboyance and heart to Rocky Randhawa in ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’. The loud yet lovable Punjabi character stood out for his comic timing, colourful personality and surprising emotional layers. With this role, Ranveer once again demonstrated that he can effortlessly blend mass entertainment with heartfelt performances.