“Kahin pahochne ke liye kahin se nikalna bohot zaruri hota hai, nahi toh gile-shikwe hone lagte ho.” This line resonates deeply with me, not just in life,
but in the way I’ve come to see Ranbir Kapoor - not merely as an actor, but as someone whose craft mesmerises me, whose expressive, dreamy eyes often catch me off guard, and whose dialogues sometimes linger like little life mantras. No, this isn’t just fangirling; it’s about how each of his characters has helped me find different versions of myself, understand emotions better, and sometimes even deal with situations that life throws at me. I think I should start with my all-time favourite, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Call it cliché or not, YJHD will always hold a special place in my heart. The moment Kabir Thapar (Ranbir) says to Naina Talwar (Deepika Padukone), “Main udna chahta hoon, daudna chahta hoon, girna bhi chahta hoon… bas rukna nahi chahta,” my teenage heart just leapt. That desire to live fully, chase dreams without hesitation, and embrace life’s unpredictability - this is something everyone, at some point, can relate to. And then there’s the cheeky wisdom of Kabir - “Badtameezi ek bimaari hai… aaisi bimaari joh dheere-dheere waqt ke saath budhape mein badal jaati hai… main kehta hoon jab tak budhapa nahi aata… thodi badtameezi hi kar lete hai.” Simple, playful, yet somehow grounding, reminding us that life isn’t always about rigid rules - it’s okay to bend a little, to enjoy, to mess up, and still keep going. Contrast that with Wake Up Sid, where Ranbir plays Siddharth "Sid" Mehra, a wealthy, carefree, and lazy young man. Sid is almost the opposite of Kabir - he drifts, procrastinates, and seems indifferent to responsibility. But over the course of the film, we see Sid gradually discover his passion and learn to take control of his life. His journey resonates with so many young adults: the struggle of finding oneself, balancing family expectations, and navigating friendships and relationships. While Kabir inspires us to chase life, Sid reminds us that it’s okay to stumble, to feel lost, and then slowly find our path. The magic of Ranbir Kapoor is that he can inhabit both these personas with equal authenticity, leaving a lasting impression on viewers while delivering subtle life lessons. Then there’s Rockstar. I don’t think it’s just about the songs or his portrayal of a passionate lover - it’s about the raw, messy, and unfiltered nature of life that Ranbir captures so effortlessly. From Janardhan Jakhar, a shy, hesitant boy, to Jordan, the iconic rockstar, the transformation felt so real that you forget it’s acting. He embodies heartbreak, frustration, obsession, and joy, making the audience experience every high and low alongside him. Jordan’s journey is a reminder that life doesn’t follow a fairytale script; it’s chaotic, messy, painful, and beautiful all at once. Tamasha introduced us to Ved, a man struggling with the conflict between societal expectations and personal freedom. In Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar, he masterfully balanced humour with emotional nuance, while in Sanju, his portrayal of Sanjay Dutt was nothing short of transformative, showing vulnerability, defiance, and redemption with an almost hypnotic realism. Each time, Ranbir doesn’t just act; he immerses us completely into his characters’ world, making us laugh, cry, and reflect simultaneously. And how can we forget Ayaan from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil? His quiet heartbreak, his pure and unwavering friendship with Alizeh (Anushka Sharma), and that last hug - so simple, so tender - remind us that love isn’t always romantic and it doesn't demand anything in return. Sometimes it’s just understanding, support, and letting go gracefully. Ranbir can make us fall in love with his charm, cry at his vulnerability, laugh at his cheekiness, and reflect on life’s complexities, all within a single film. From the caged dreams of Sid to the rebellious spirit of Kabir, from the passionate intensity of Jordan to the quiet, aching pain of Ayaan, each character becomes a mirror to our own emotions, fears, and desires. And through it all, one consistent message lingers: “Kuch waqt do, sab theek ho jaega.” Each character the actor portrays leaves a piece of themselves in us, making us feel seen, understood, and inspired. He grows on screen, and in a way, we grow with him. And that, perhaps, is the true magic of Ranbir Kapoor.
