Says a source close to Ranbir, "For one full month until the shooting starts in February Ranbir intends to go on an eating binge. Like all the Kapoors he's a major foodie. And what better excuse to let go of his diet than preparation for a role?
Ranbir's two most favourite gorging grounds are Khau Gali and his grandmother Krishnaraj Kapoor's residence. When he visits these places he lets himself go with the calories. Now January onwards for the part of the desi Mr Bean, ala Barfee, Ranbir will be visiting his grandmother A LOT. "
At the moment Ranbir is sporting his usual lean look for Rock Star.
Says a source, "Imtiaz wanted Ranbir to look sinewy and wiry on stage. Ranbir has actually lost weight for the role. Now Imtiaz's buddy Anurag Basu is waiting patiently with the chocolates and vada-paus. "
Siddharth Roy Kapur of UTV who are producing Barfee confirms, "We start shooting the film in February 2011. "
Ranbir Kapoor plans to fatten up for his comic role in Anurag Basu's bitter-sweet silent comedy Barfee, earlier titled Silence.
Besides Charlie Chaplin whose silent movies will serve as a reference point for Ranbir's deaf-and-mute character it is the irrepressible Mr Bean (played in the comic American series by comic virtuoso Rowan Atkinson) who has been brought into the screen for that touch of goofy comicality.
Says a source, "Chaplin is director Anurag Basu's reference point since the director is a big fan. Mr Bean is Ranbir's idea. He feels the younger generation needed a far more immediate and ready reference point than Chaplin. When Ranbir suggested that they also model the character on Rowan Atkinson's Mr Bean Anurag jumped at it. "