"I Have Never Felt That I'm Better Or Worse Than Anybody," says Ranbir Kapoor

Throughout his 15-year career, Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has had more highs than lows. The actor, however, is of the opinion that he is competing in his own race and that his failures have always taught him more than his successes.

In "Saawariya," Ranbir made his acting debut in 2007. Thereafter he appeared in popular films like "Bachna Ae Haseeno," "Wake Up Sid!" "Rockstar," "Barfi!" "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani," "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil," "Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva," and "Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar."

When asked when he first realised he was a celebrity, Ranbir told IANS: "Even though my very first movie was a huge failure and its failure-ness was recognised, I somewhere deep down believed that neither success nor failure would matter to me as an actor or artist. It made me feel assured."

"Never have I felt the need to compete with anybody. I've never felt superior to or inferior to anybody. I feel as if I'm competing in my own race. I believe that I have extremely strong opinions about how and what I want to live my life, as well as the kind of movies I want to make."

"The kind of personalities I want to represent, and of course I'm going to witness a lot of failures," the speaker said.

Failures, in Ranbir's opinion, have taught him more than victories ever did.

"I guarantee that once your movies succeed, the only emotion you will have till the next one is "phew!" Yet, failure helps you to analyse, reflect, and gain perspective."

I have had a really fortunate 15-year career, and I have a lot of self-confidence that I am the greatest. Of course, I don't want to say it out loud, but I tell myself I am the best because it keeps me going.

Before becoming well-known as a Bollywood actor, Ranbir served as director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's assistant on the Amitabh Bachchan-starring 2005 movie "Black."

Can experience working behind the camera offer an actor an advantage?

Said Ranbir: "I gained more knowledge working on a set than I did at a film school. I learned a lot about movies during the one year I worked with Mr. Bhansali on "Black." Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukerji, among other actors, were performing for me. I was seeing Mr. Bhansali helm a film."

Ranbir was really "grounded" by the encounter.

Said him: "I come from a rather insulated film background, so I believe that sort of training was crucial for someone like me. Mr. Bhansali is a strict taskmaster who will correct you in front of everyone if you make a mistake. This made me ready to fail in any situation."