Deepti D’Cunha Recalls Denis Villeneuve’s Praise for Ranbir Kapoor’s Performance in Raajneeti at 2010 Abu Dhabi Film Festival
In a recent social media post, film festival programmer Deepti D’Cunha shared a memory from the 2010 Abu Dhabi Film Festival, revealing that Ranbir Kapoor’s performance in Raajneeti left a lasting impression on Oscar-nominated filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, known for his work on Dune and Blade Runner 2049.
Raajneeti, directed by Prakash Jha, was released in 2010 and became one of the most successful films of the year both commercially and critically. The political drama, inspired by the Indian epic Mahabharata and The Godfather, featured an ensemble cast that included Ajay Devgn, Nana Patekar, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Arjun Rampal, Naseeruddin Shah, Manoj Bajpayee, and others. Despite the presence of such seasoned actors, Kapoor’s portrayal of Samar Pratap, a politically ambitious young man, stood out, earning widespread praise from critics and audiences alike.
In her post, Deepti D’Cunha, a long-time film programmer with a passion for curating world cinema for Indian audiences, recounted her interaction with Villeneuve at the festival. She shared an old film festival catalogue featuring Villeneuve’s autograph from the event and reminisced about their conversation. Villeneuve, who had come to premiere his acclaimed French-language film Incendies at the festival, told Deepti that he had just watched his first Indian film, Raajneeti. He explained how he was struck by Kapoor’s performance in the film, noting that, despite being surrounded by some of India’s finest actors, Kapoor’s portrayal had truly stood out to him.
Denis Villeneuve Impressed by Ranbir Kapoor’s Performance in Raajneeti, Says Deepti D’Cunha
Deepti recalls Denis Villeneuve’s words: “He said that Ranbir Kapoor is a wonderful actor and that he stood out among such an ensemble cast. He was very impressed and wanted to know more about him.” This conversation, which Deepti describes as “a wonderful memory,” highlights how Kapoor’s talent had captured the attention of an internationally recognized filmmaker even before he became a global star.
The director of the Dune franchise had watched Raajneeti on a flight to Abu Dhabi ahead of the festival. Villeneuve admitted that he had picked the film out of curiosity, as it was based on politics. What struck him most, however, was Kapoor’s nuanced performance. It is a testament to Kapoor’s early ability to make a mark, even in the company of established stars.
Deepti’s post, shared on X (formerly Twitter), also offered a glimpse into her experiences at the festival. Alongside her encounter with Villeneuve, Deepti had the opportunity to meet the legendary Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami, who was there to premiere his film Certified Copy. The festival was a place where directors, actors, and programmers from around the world came together to share and appreciate the art of cinema, and Deepti’s post serves as a reminder of the profound connections made at such events.
The revelation of Villeneuve’s admiration for Ranbir Kapoor is a particularly interesting one. Kapoor, despite receiving accolades for his work in Raajneeti, once mentioned in an interview that he felt he could have done better in his performance. He even identified the film as one of the moments in his career where he felt his acting was not up to par. This self-criticism, combined with Villeneuve’s praise, illustrates the high standard that Ranbir Kapoor sets for himself. Fans of the actor were quick to comment on Deepti’s post, noting the contrast between Kapoor’s modesty and the global recognition his talent continues to receive.
“Ranbir Kapoor’s performance in Raajneeti impressed Denis Villeneuve,” one fan commented, “and here Ranbir Kapoor is, still not fully satisfied with his work in the film.” Another fan pointed out how Kapoor, early in his career, had already begun to distinguish himself among the veterans of the industry like Nana Patekar, Manoj Bajpayee, and Ajay Devgn, who also starred in Raajneeti.
15 years later, Denis Villeneuve has established himself as one of the most sought-after filmmakers in Hollywood. His body of work includes films like Arrival, Prisoners, Blade Runner 2049, and the two Dune films, with the third installment of the Dune franchise, Dune: Messiah, currently in the works. Villeneuve’s rise to prominence in Hollywood has been a remarkable journey, and the fact that he was impressed by Kapoor’s work in Raajneeti all those years ago adds another layer to the story of both men’s careers.