Birthday Special: Ranbir Kapoor’s characters that made us fall in love with his chocolate boy era

Sidharth in Wake Up Sid (2009)

Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Sidharth Mehra, lovingly known as Sid, in Ayan Mukerji’s Wake Up Sid was a breath of fresh air in Bollywood. Sid was a carefree, aimless young man who discovers his purpose and grows into a responsible adult over the course of the film. Ranbir’s innocence, spontaneity, and the charming smile he flashed as he fell in love with Aisha (played by Konkona Sen Sharma) won the hearts of audiences. The character resonated with the youth, making Sid an instant icon of the coming-of-age genre.

Barfi in Barfi! (2012)

In Anurag Basu’s heartwarming film Barfi!, Ranbir Kapoor played the titular character, Barfi, a deaf and mute man with a heart of gold. This character was a testament to Ranbir’s ability to communicate emotions without words. His playful antics, especially in scenes with Priyanka Chopra’s Jhilmil, tugged at the heartstrings of audiences worldwide. Ranbir’s innocence and empathy as Barfi earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards, cementing his position as one of the finest actors of his generation.

Ved in Tamasha (2015)

Ranbir Kapoor’s role in the movie Tamasha, directed by Imtiaz Ali, is one of his most memorable and critically acclaimed performances. In the film, he plays the character Ved Vardhan Sahni.  Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Ved is a complex and layered performance. He seamlessly transitions between different facets of the character, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Ved’s transformation from a conformist to a free-spirited individual with a zest for life is depicted with nuance and sensitivity by Ranbir. His portrayal of Ved’s inner conflict, emotional turmoil, and eventual realisation of the importance of living authentically is both powerful and moving.

Bunny in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)

As Kabir Thapar, fondly known as Bunny, Ranbir Kapoor took the audience on an exhilarating journey of self-discovery, friendship, and love in Ayan Mukerji’s Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Bunny’s zest for life, wanderlust, and fearless pursuit of dreams resonated with the youth of the nation. His chemistry with Deepika Padukone’s character, Naina, was electric, and the film’s iconic dialogues made it a modern classic. Ranbir’s portrayal of Bunny showcased his maturity as an actor, and his dance moves in the foot-tapping Badtameez Dil became an instant hit.

Prem in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009)

In this romantic comedy directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, Ranbir Kapoor played the lovable goofball Prem. With his boundless energy and quirky antics, Ranbir had the audience in splits while he tried to win over Katrina Kaif’s character, Jenny. Prem’s selflessness and innocence touched a chord with the audience, making him one of the most memorable characters of the chocolate boy era.