Ranveer Singh was inspired by Dev Anand for Lootera

After playing the typical boy-next-door in most of his previous films, Ranveer Singh is all set to show a different side to him in his next, Lootera, opposite Sonakshi Sinha. The actor, who played the bubbly Bittoo in his debut film Band Baaja Baaraat (2010) and then the hunk in Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (2011), will now be seen in an intense, romantic role in director Vikramaditya Motwane’s period film.

What’s more, we’re told that the actor was asked to attend special acting workshops to master the art of emoting solely with his eyes. A source close to the production reveals, “When Ranveer was signed for Lootera, there were a few changes that he needed to employ in his acting. Being a period film, the movie demanded Ranveer to emote with his eyes. And being a director’s actor, he took up the challenge by attending workshops and watching Dev Anand's movies.”

Considering Dev Anand was always known in his times for his expressive eyes, the director felt that making Ranveer watch movies such as Guide (1965), Jewel Thief (1967) and Heera Panna (1973), would be of great help. The source adds, “Ranveer prepared for a long time and when he finally began shooting, the director was really happy with his work.”