Ranbir Kapoor’s Quiet Prayer: 'Itni Mehnat Karta Hu, Bas Bacha Lena' - EXCLUSIVE

In the high-stakes world of Bollywood, even the most celebrated stars experience moments of vulnerability. A recent quote shared by one of Ranbir Kapoor ’s close friends, offers a rare glimpse into the actor’s mindset during a critical phase in his career—just before the release of his 2023 blockbuster ‘Animal.’ The quote not only reflects Ranbir ’s emotional depth, but also his quiet resilience and humility during uncertain times.

“I asked Ranbir, how do you feel, what sort of pressure do you feel when your films don't do well?” the friend recounted. “He’s like, every day when I go home, I speak to God… itni mehnat karta hu, pls bas bacha lena.” ( “I work so hard, please just protect me.”)

These words reveal more than just anxiety—they encapsulate a sentiment familiar to many artists who give everything to their craft, while still remaining at the mercy of public reception and box office numbers. Coming from an actor who hails from Bollywood royalty, it’s a humbling reminder that no amount of lineage or past success, can shield someone from the unpredictability of the film industry.

Ranbir’s last release was Sandeep Reddy Vanga ’s ‘Animal’ which catapulted him into superstar status. The film minted more than Rs 500 crore in India and almost USD 15 million in North America. Before this one he had mild successes in ‘Brahmastra: Part 1- Shiva’ and ‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar,’ while ‘Shamshera’ was a disaster and Sanju being the only success.

So for him stakes were high, and the pressure to deliver—both commercially and critically—was immense. This quiet conversation between friends shows how even someone as seasoned as Ranbir turns to a higher power in moments of doubt, not for fame or riches, but for the simple hope that his effort will not go in vain.

Animal turned into one of the defining moments of his career. The film’s massive success proved not just his star power, but also his ability to immerse himself in complex, gritty characters that break away from his romantic hero image. He now has one of the most enviable line up in Hindi Cinema from Nitesh Tiwari ’s ‘Ramayan’ with Sai Pallavi, Yash and Sunny Deol to Sanjay Leela Bhansali ’s ‘Love & War’ with Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal to Aditya Chopra ’s ‘Dhoom 4’ and the next instalment of ‘Animal.’