Actor Ranbir Kapoor is believed to be keeping his appearances in aid of publicity for new film Bombay Velvet to a minimum, but he's hasn't put this into practice yet. Ranbir, who returns in a lead role a whole year-and-half after 2013's Besharam, was spotted in the commentary box at today's World Cup knockout match between India and Bangladesh. (Also Read: Bombay Velvet Trailer: Time Travel with Anushka Sharma, Ranbir Kapoor)
The first trailer of Bombay Velvet, in which Ranbir plays a cage-fighter named 'Bigshot' Johnny Balraj, was released as the match progressed.
#RanbirKapoor debuts as a commentator in the #INDvsBAN Match. #Bigshot. R u listening ? #BombayVelvet pic.twitter.com/n6NaIazuG2
- Fox Star Hindi (@foxstarhindi) March 19, 2015Keeping the actor company in the box were former cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Akash Chopra.
In the commentary box with #ShoaibAkhtar and #AkashChopra. #RanbirKapoor stays cool as #BombayVelvet trailer trends. pic.twitter.com/13Skgyules
- Fox Star Hindi (@foxstarhindi) March 19, 2015Pakistani bowling legend Shoaib Akhtar professed himself a fan of Ranbir's work, saying, "Main bahut bada fan hoon, admirer hoon Ranbir Kapoor ka."
While on air, Ranbir named Mahendra Singh Dhoni as his favourite cricketer and revealed his Bombay Velvet co-star (and Virat Kohli's girlfriend) Anushka Sharma is a good bowler with medium spin.
Speaking about Anushka's cricket talent, Ranbir said, "Cricket was our favourite pastime on the the sets of Bombay Velvet. Not many people know that Anushka is a great cricket player, pata nahin kaise, but she plays really good cricket - bowling. She's a medium spinner. Mera toh wicket kabhi nahin liya lekin doosron ki wicket leti rehti thi."
Ranbir also tried his hand at batting, taking on Pakistani legend Shoaib Akhtar.
Image courtesy: Star Sports
In response to Shoaib's comment that he was looking very good in Bombay Velvet, Ranbir explained why he took on the role of Johnny Balraj. The actor said, "I think ek nazariya hota hai ki agar koi action film kar raha hai ya koi gun utha raha hai, toh uske liye badi body honi chahiye. I think jo ek andar sey emotional connect hota hai ek character ke saath, agar audience usko dekh rahi hai aur uske saath chal rahi hai, toh agar woh kisi ko mukka mare ya gun sey shoot kare, agar emotional connect ho, that is important. Main nahin chahta tha ke main ek body banaun aur action karun.Yeh bahut zaroori tha ki agar meri film mein action ho toh uske peeche ek reason bhi ho."
Ranbir is not the first actor to have made a commentary box appearance - Amitabh Bachchan opened the innings for Bollywood at the India-Pakistan match last month, as part of promotions for his film Shamitabh.
Bombay Velvet, directed by Anurag Kashyap and also starring filmmaker Karan Johar as the villain, is a period piece set in the Mumbai of the Sixties and releases on May 15.
