Before earning the tag of a superstar with hits like Sanju, Brahmastra, and Animal, Ranbir Kapoor faced an exhausting challenge right at the start of his career. While shooting for his debut film Saawariya under the direction of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ranbir had to give more than 100 takes for a single scene—one that went on to become iconic for its boldness and visual appeal.
The Scene That Pushed Him to His Limits
In the song Jab Se Tere Naina, Ranbir’s towel-dropping moment became a major talking point. But behind the bold scene was intense labor. Ranbir revealed in an interview that he gave 45 takes in one day, leading to back pain. The next day, he was pushed to deliver 70 more takes, finally satisfying Bhansali’s vision.
“My back started hurting. It was exhausting,” Ranbir recalled, emphasizing how demanding the director was in pursuit of the perfect shot.
A Tough Start with a Cold Box Office Reception
Despite the buzz around Saawariya, the film flopped. Made on a reported budget of Rs 45 crore, it collected just Rs 22.31 crore in India, marking it a box office disaster. While the film didn’t click with audiences, it marked the beginning of a stellar career for Ranbir, whose performance—even in his first outing—caught the industry’s eye.
