Ranbir Kapoor during the promotion of his upcoming film ‘Sanju,’ in Mumbai, June 27. (Press Trust of India)

Ranbir Kapoor has had his share of “coming of age” stories and is now looking forward to “Shamshera,” which the actor believes, is quite a departure for him. 

Directed by Karan Malhotra, the action-drama is produced by Yash Raj Films and also features Sanjay Dutt as an antagonist.  In this film, Ranbir will be seen in a role of dacoit.

“’Shamshera’ is not a story of a ‘daaku’, but a film based in the 1800s, it is about a dacoit tribe who are fighting for their right and independence from the British. There was a great story of heroism, a story rooted in our country which actually happened back then,” Ranbir told PTI.

“It is a departure from the kind of films I have done, it is not the coming-of-age lover boy roles which I have done often. ‘Shamshera’ is in the aspirational space, the space of true, badass commercial cinema.” 

A 45-second teaser was released by YRF last month, where Ranbir was seen on a battle field holding an axe and arrows and a Hindi caption that read ‘Karam se dacait, dharam se azaad.’

“Shamshera” is set to go on the floors by the end of this year and shooting will wrap by mid 2019. 

The film will have an element of romance as well because Hindi movies are incomplete with a love story, says the actor. 

“A true blue Hindi film has everything – comedy, action, romance drama. And all these films I am doing are all in that direction, we are trying to have all these factors in it.” 

While the 35-year-old actor had “Sanju” that released recently, Ranbir has interesting slate of films lined up. Apart from “Shamshera,” the actor has Ayan Mukerji’s “Brahmastra” and “Pyaar Ka Punchnama” fame director Luv Ranujan’s untitled next with Ajay Devgn.

“Luv Ranjan’s film will happen after I finish ‘Brahmastra’ and ‘Shamshera.’ It is a dramatic love story. So, I am really looking forward to that. It is something which Luv hasn’t done before, something which even Ajay sir and I haven’t done before.” 

In all his upcoming films, Ranbir will be working with big stars – Dutt in “Shamshera,” Devgn in Luv’s next and megastar Amitabh Bachchan in “Brahmastra.”

The “Tamasha” star says working with them gives him a career high. 

“These are the actors who I admire, who I was inspired when I was an aspiring actor and now to share screen space with them and find acceptance… Amit ji gives so much of love and respect as an actor, it is amazing. It is something I aspire to be.

“Amit ji has been working for 49 years, he is probably the biggest superstar ever born in the world. But till today, the humility, hard work, passion he shows, it is quite amazing and inspiring for me as a young actor.” 

Ranbir says, “Brahmastra,” which he is currently shooting with Alia Bhatt, is written in a trilogy format. 

“Ayaan has spent six years of his life working really hard to make an original story, born in our country, to come alive in that form. It is not a superhero film as people say.

“It is a romantic-fairytale in a supernatural format. We hope the first film does well, it will give us the opportunity to make part two and three.”