As you may know, Ranveer Singh recently “popped his endorsement cherry” with a super fun ad for Durex. After telling you what happened behind the scenes of the shoot, we got a chance to speak to Ranveer personally and ask him about his association with the brand, his love for his fans, and, of course, the films he has coming up! Read on for excerpts from our conversation.
Team MissMalini (Team MM): Hi Ranveer! How’re you doing?
Ranveer Singh (RS): Nervous.
Team MM: Why?
RS: I’m going to go shoot a big song right now. I’m really, really nervous.
Team MM: Aww. We hope it goes well!
RS: Thank you. Thank you.
Team MM: So now that we’ve seen your new Durex ad – which is so much fun – we have a few questions for you. Firstly, why have you stayed away from endorsements in the past?
RS: You know, there wasn’t anything exciting enough for me to do. Either I didn’t like the brand, or I thought they weren’t seeing value in me the way I saw in my own brand to associate with. I have a bunch of criteria – it should be exciting, fun, creative… and you should be happy to have it as part of your equity. So there wasn’t something that was terribly exciting. Of course, there was a lot of money involved, which I was happy to turn down, because it’s not about that. It’s about building a strong equity – ultimately, you’re lending your face to a brand so it becomes a part of your equity also. So I wanted something that was creatively exciting and that would be a little different. It had to have something to do it – it couldn’t just be a commercial deal; I’ve never done that.
Team MM: What was your first thought when you were approached for the brand?
RS: Actually, I approached Durex. I don’t know what hit me. I was out promoting Ram-Leela, and I was in the car, and I was just… I was just thinking a lot. There’s a lot of travelling that you have to do during promotions, so I was just thinking and I was like, “Why not endorse a condom brand?” And the first one that came to my mind was Durex. That’s testament to the fact that they’ve been such a market leader and such a big name – all over the world. So I asked my people to see if Durex was interested in partnering, and they jumped at it. They’ve been so kind – letting me drive the creatives and just giving me a free hand to have fun with it. And I’ve had fun with it, and that’s why people are finding it fun. I’m so glad that the first word you used is fun – because that’s exactly what it’s for. Inherently, their message is sexual health, well-being, safe sex and protection. That’s all there fundamentally. We then tried to have fun with it and I’m happy with the response. My phone has been going nuts, man.
Team MM: It’s interesting that you said they let you drive it creatively, because it does have the Ranveer Singh stamp all over it.
RS: I don’t know what that stamp is – I hope there’s never any clear-cut stamp; I think that would limit me as a creative person. But yeah, I definitely had fun. They came up with this fantastic idea of “do the rex” and then we just collaborated and built on it. The video is actually directed by my best friend from childhood who has been an aspiring director. This is his first ad, actually, so it was amazing to finally work with him on something legit.
Team MM: What was it like working with your best friend?
RS: Well, I always believed in his talent. I knew about his work ethic and all the virtues he has a professional, and I also know about the creative side of him. So I always believed in him, and hoped we’d have the chance to collaborate. And it happened! We’re lucky it happened so soon, although we’ve been wanting it to happen for a long time. It’s really chilled out; the thing is you know each other so, so well that the communication is on another level. He won’t even have to speak, and I’d know what he wants to say. As a director-actor duo, if you have great communication, then something good is bound to come of it. And we have amazing communication.
Team MM: Tell us more about the rex!
RS: It’s a celebration! Of sex, of love. So when you have great sex, and if it moves you – deeply – then you celebrate it by doing this dance called the rex.
Team MM: And what was the last time you did the rex?
RS: Ummm… I do the rex all the time. [laughs]
Team MM: What’s the naughtiest place you’ve done the rex?
RS: There’s like a laundry list of places. Naughtiest you’ll have to decide. I’ll just have to give you the places.
Team MM: Go ahead!
RS: [pauses] On another day. This is a separate conversation, to be had in private!
Team MM: So, we asked on Twitter for questions, and got some really funny responses. Someone has asked, “Why are you so awesome?” and someone else has asked, “Are you aware of how sexy you are?” We’re not gonna ask you this…
RS: Why wouldn’t you?! [laughs] I don’t know. Maybe. Perhaps.
Team MM: But they’ve all sent in so much love for you, so we have to ask: any message you’d like to pass on to them?
RS: Just thank you for the love. Thank you for the support. I really have no idea what I’m doing here. Honestly – I go to work everyday, which doesn’t feel like work because I love what I do. But I go out there and do the best I can understand of what I need to do, and I try to do a good job of it. The truth is I have honestly no clue, so I feel very lucky, very blessed to have them. Everything I do, I do to please them. They mean a lot to me.
Team MM: Okay, lastly, we need to ask you for some clarity on your film projects because there’s been so much talk.
RS: Well, what I’m really excited about is that Kill Dill‘s date has been announced. It’s coming in November and it’s shaped up really, really well. I’m so thrilled that everything I had hoped and wished my first movie with Shaad would be, it’s all that and more. It’s fantastic working with Govindaji, Parineeti, Ali Zafar. What’s even more exciting is that Dil Dhadakne Do stars next month; we get into prep for it very, very soon. As soon as I’m back from IIFA, I’ll jump into that film.
Team MM: We’re guessing you can’t say anything about Shuddhi and Bajirao Mastani?
RS: I can’t say anything! [laughs]
Team MM: Okay, we’ll let you go. Thanks for talking to us and good luck for your song shoot!
RS: Thank you so much.