Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has recently expressed his reservations about Ranveer Singh’s intense method acting approach for the role of Alauddin Khilji in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2018 film, Padmaavat. In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Rawal discussed the potential pitfalls of immersing oneself too deeply into a character, suggesting that such practices might have adverse effects on an actor’s well-being.
Ranveer Singh’s portrayal of the tyrant Alauddin Khilji was both lauded and scrutinized. The actor delved deep into the psyche of the character, adopting a method acting approach that involved significant physical and psychological transformation. This intense immersion led Singh to experience lingering effects even after the filming concluded. He admitted to isolating himself and entering a “dark zone” to authentically embody Khilji’s persona. Reflecting on this process, Singh mentioned, “As an actor, I need to be honest with the script.”
However, not everyone in the industry views such intense preparation favorably. Actor Prashant Narayanan previously criticized Singh’s approach, leading to a broader discussion about the merits and drawbacks of method acting. In defense of diverse acting methodologies, Nawazuddin Siddiqui stated, “Who are we to say if Ranveer Singh should or should not put himself through a painful process? What if he did? How do we know it? It is very easy to make such comments.”
The debate underscores the varying perspectives within the acting community regarding character preparation. While some actors, like Singh, immerse themselves entirely into their roles, others advocate for a balanced approach to maintain personal well-being. As the conversation continues, it highlights the diverse methodologies actors employ to bring authenticity to their performances.
