Salman was supposed to play Bajirao in the historic romantic film earlier but things did not materialise and Ranveer stepped in.
"We know that Salman sir was going to be the original Bajirao. I have really worked hard to play Bajirao on screen and I hope that I (will) make him proud," Ranveer told reporters here at a promotional event of the film.
The actor recalled how he was reduced to tears when he first heard the script of the film.
"I was in tears when I heard the narration and it took (me) sometime to settle in. It is an intense film, it is an intense love story. There is romance, drama, intense drama. I was frozen after listening to the narration. The film is getting ready. It is over a month away from its release," he said.
Ranveer said he found the role unique.
"It's a distinct character. It is something I had never done before. He (Peshwa) was a warrior, a great man. I feel very proud that I have been selected to portray him on screen. I have done my best.
I hope I am able to do justice," the "Band Baaja Baarat" actor said. Ranveer said there was no similarity between him and Bajirao in real life.
"This role is distinctively different from my personality. He is a person who lived his life a long time ago... he had a different mindset...different temperament.
There is a lot of drama that happened in his life," the 30-year-old said. On his preparation for the role, Ranveer recalled how he "locked" himself inside a hotel room for three weeks.
"I had to get into deep. The preparation was very intense. I locked myself in a hotel room for three weeks to get away from my familiar surroundings and see if I can come up with something new and different on screen. I am glad that I did this film. It was a beautiful process of preparation," he added.
Ranveer said it was very difficult and physically draining for him to get into the skin of the character.
"I had to go very far from who I am to be and become Bajirao. It was a very physically draining film. Bajirao would be seen in different kind of physicality so transformation in that sense required work.
"He is a tough guy ...hard hitting...he is at war most of the time. So there is lot of intense physical work. Acting in front of camera is also physically draining. Also it was emotionally draining film. I had to sink my teeth for this role. I had to do a lot of hard work for this role. And I was ready for all this as an actor," he said.
One can recollect that while playing this role of Bajirao, Ranveer had injured his shoulder during the course of shoot apart from small injuries here and there.
Ranveer said he has become stronger and wiser as a person after playing Bajirao.
"Playing Bajirao has changed me completely as a person and particularly as an actor. Everything I learned I had to unlearn. I would see the film.
I am sure I would be witnessing things for the first time because when I am performing I am only feeling it. It has changed me as an actor. I have become a stronger and wiser person," he said.
