Ranveer Singh Recalls Visiting Deepika Padukone On Atlee’s Set: 'He’s Creating Something India Has Never...'

Bollywood’s livewire Ranveer Singh recently turned storyteller as he spoke about his admiration for director Atlee, his camaraderie with Bobby Deol, and his excitement about working with rising star Sreeleela.

The actor, known for his unfiltered charm and exuberance, expressed deep respect for each of his collaborators while reflecting on his journey as an artist who grew up idolising 90s Bollywood and now finds himself working alongside his childhood heroes.

“I Messaged Atlee After Mersal — He’s the King of Masala”

Ranveer Singh has always been vocal about his admiration for South cinema and its creative visionaries. Among them, director Atlee holds a special place in his heart. Recalling how their connection began years ago, Ranveer shared, “Atlee became a household name in Jawan and became the biggest director in India. I had messaged him after the release of Mersal. I told him, ‘Sir, I love your cinema. You should come to Mumbai and we should make some movies together.’ This was back then. I’ve always wanted to collaborate with Atlee sir. He’s been such a dear friend to me over the years, and it’s always great hanging out with him.”

Talking about finally collaborating with the filmmaker, Ranveer couldn’t hide his admiration, “To be working with him and his super-duper awesome team, being in front of the lens of Mr. G.K. Vishnu — what a great honour, what a great delight. I happened to visit him on the set of his current film because my wife was shooting with him. And you may have heard this before, but take it from me — he is creating something that you will have never experienced in Indian cinema before. Round of applause for the man. Thank you for doing this for us, sir. I love the movie; it put a big smile on my face when I saw it. He’s the King of Masala, and it’s only appropriate that he would direct the definitive presentation of that genre.”

“It’s the Lord Bobby Renaissance Era — and I’m All Here for It”

Moving from admiration to nostalgia, Ranveer’s tone shifted to excitement as he spoke about sharing the screen with Bobby Deol in The Ba***ds of Bollywood., “Isn’t he looking hot and spicy? I love it, Bobby sir. I’m here for it. What a great honour it is for me to be collaborating with Bobby sir,” he exclaimed.

Ranveer, who grew up on 90s cinema, confessed that this collaboration felt like a full-circle moment, “I’m a 90s baby, and it’s no secret that I’ve grown up on 90s Hindi movies. All those heroes — Anil Kapoor, Govinda ji, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Madhavan, Ajay sir, Akshay sir — they’re all my heroes. I’ve had the great privilege of working with so many of them. And now, Bobby sir, whose first movie I went to see in the theatre. Jungle Boy, you know?”

Praising Bobby Deol’s resurgence, Ranveer added, “For The Ba*ds of Bollywood, led by this fine gentleman, this fine artist, it was such a blast to be with him. It is undoubtedly the Lord Bobby Renaissance era, and I’m all here for it. I saw it before it happened — before everyone else did. I watched Love Hostel and thought, ‘Bobby sir is onto something.’ Just his eyes — too good! Thank you, Bobby sir, for being a part of this, for taking time out of your busy schedule. This wouldn’t have been as grand or glorious without your presence.”

“Sreeleela Is the Real National Crush — She’ll Be One of the Biggest Stars”

Ranveer’s infectious enthusiasm reached new heights as he spoke about co-star Sreeleela, calling her “the real national crush.”

“I think it came out in the news that Sreeleela and I would be working on something, and suddenly from Four Bungalows to Bangalore, my phone started blowing up. My friends and cousins were all like, ‘Bro, you’re working with Sreeleela?’”

Recalling the buzz around her breakout song, he added, “A friend of mine came out of Pushpa and said, ‘Man, the best thing was that girl in the Kissik song!’ He told me, ‘If you ever meet her, make me meet her!’ And this is someone who doesn’t even watch too many movies! My cousin from Bangalore said the same thing — ‘Bro, just get me a picture with Sreeleela!’”

Ranveer went on to praise the young actor’s dedication and potential, “I’m very excited to see her Hindi debut. She’s working with one of the finest filmmakers in our industry, Mr. Anurag Basu, and I’m really looking forward to that movie. She’s extremely beautiful and talented — everyone knows that — but what I can tell you is that she has an absolutely stellar, unquestionable work ethic. That’s why I believe she’s going to be one of the biggest stars in the years to come.”

With his trademark exuberance, wit, and humility, Ranveer Singh once again proved why he remains one of Bollywood’s most passionate voices — someone who celebrates not just his success, but also the brilliance of those around him. Whether it’s Atlee’s grand vision, Bobby Deol’s resurgence, or Sreeleela’s rising star — Ranveer’s words remind us that for him, cinema is not competition; it’s celebration.