REPETITION KILLS ME, SAYS SUSHANT

The actor is always on a quest for different films, and doesn’t worry about success or failure

Sushant Singh Rajput’s recent film, Raabta, might not have fared well at the box-office, but the actor isn’t one to reflect on the past or obsess about what next. There’s a lot to “look forward to” says the 31-year-old. Excerpts: It has been four years since Kai Po Che (Sushant’s debut film) released. Did you imagine yourself reaching where you have, as an actor? It might sound philosophical, but whenever I do something that I absolutely love, I don’t realise how much time has passed. Being in the moment is important. I’m glad I dropped out of engineering because I genuinely like this (acting) more. I used to get `50 per theatre show, but I was still happy. I was as excited in 2009, when I was doing television, as I am now. That has been constant in the past 11 years since I decided to drop out of college and start performing. I am not so obsessed about the future that I will just sit back and reflect about life. I don’t dwell on the past too much and I don’t look forward that much either. Are you then detached from success and fame? I’ve seen my films not doing well. I’ve seen them opening well but despite all that I’d say, success and failure are both very disorienting. As kids, we are told that things would change once you become successful, but nothing happens. But because you are preoccupied with it, you behave in a certain manner. It’s important for everybody to do what they like. I don’t know what to do with fame and money. Acting gives one varied characters to portray, that’s what I like best. Were you disappointed that Raabta didn’t fare as well? What do you think went wrong? It just didn’t resonate with the audience, I guess. With every film you try your best, and you are so immersed in the filmmaking process, and building your character, you sometimes lose objectivity while doing it... I should know how to play my character. If one doesn’t, there is a higher chance of failing. If I succeed in doing a particular kind of role, and I keep repeating that in all my films, I will die. That’s why I quit TV... Repetition kills me.