Ranveer Singh is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Hindi cinema. Known for his energetic on-screen persona, eclectic fashion sense and versatile performances, he is among the highest-paid actors in the Indian film industry. He has received several accolades, including four Filmfare Awards.
| Full name | Ranveer Singh Bhavnani |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 July 1985, Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra |
| Occupation | Actor, film producer |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Education | H.R. College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai; Indiana University, Bloomington (USA) |
| Spouse | Deepika Padukone (m. 2018) |
| Debut film | Band Baaja Baaraat (2010) |
| Notable awards | Filmfare Award for Best Actor (twice); Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut |
Ranveer Singh was born into a Sindhi family in Mumbai. His grandparents migrated from Karachi to India during the Partition of 1947. He is a cousin of actress and producer Sonam Kapoor's family through the entertainment industry's social circles, though he had no direct film background. After completing his schooling in Mumbai, he pursued a bachelor's degree in creative writing from Indiana University in the United States. On returning to India, he worked briefly as a copywriter at advertising agencies, including O&M and J. Walter Thompson, before transitioning to acting.
Singh made his acting debut in Yash Raj Films' romantic comedy Band Baaja Baaraat (2010), directed by Maneesh Sharma and co-starring Anushka Sharma. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Singh won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. He next appeared in Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (2011), again opposite Sharma, which performed moderately at the box office.
Singh's collaboration with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali proved central to his career. He starred in three of Bhansali's period films:
During this period he also appeared in Lootera (2013), Dil Dhadakne Do (2015) and Zoya Akhtar's hip-hop drama Gully Boy (2019), in which he played an aspiring rapper from Mumbai's Dharavi area. Gully Boy earned him a second Filmfare Award for Best Actor and was India's official entry to the 92nd Academy Awards.
Singh starred in Kabir Khan's sports drama 83 (2021), portraying former cricket captain Kapil Dev in a dramatisation of India's 1983 Cricket World Cup victory. He followed this with the comedy Cirkus (2022), directed by Rohit Shetty, and Karan Johar's family drama Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023) opposite Alia Bhatt.
Singh married actress Deepika Padukone on 14–15 November 2018 in two ceremonies, Konkani and Sindhi, held at Lake Como in Italy. The couple's daughter was born in September 2024. Singh is known for his flamboyant fashion choices and is associated with stylist Nitasha Gaurav.
Singh founded his own production house, Maikhana Pictures, and has endorsed numerous brands including Adidas, Thums Up, Switzerland Tourism and Jack & Jones. He launched the music label IncInk in 2019, in association with Navzar Eranee, focused on independent hip-hop and rap artists.
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Band Baaja Baaraat | Bittoo Sharma |
| 2013 | Lootera | Varun Shrivastav |
| 2013 | Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela | Ram |
| 2015 | Bajirao Mastani | Bajirao I |
| 2015 | Dil Dhadakne Do | Kabir Mehra |
| 2018 | Padmaavat | Alauddin Khilji |
| 2018 | Simmba | Sangram Bhalerao |
| 2019 | Gully Boy | Murad Ahmed |
| 2021 | 83 | Kapil Dev |
| 2023 | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani | Rocky Randhawa |
Ranveer Singh is regarded as one of the leading male actors of his generation in Hindi cinema. Critics have noted his ability to inhabit varied roles, from a contemporary street rapper to historical rulers, and his willingness to take on physically transformative parts. His celebrity persona has also made him a prominent figure in Indian advertising and fashion.