I loved Raazi, so I’d love to work with Meghna Gulzar, says Dulquer

Abig star but also a debutant? That’s Dulquer Salmaan, who has made a much praised Bollywood debut with the road trip film Karwaan, six years after his first outing as an actor — in the Malayalam film Second Show — and a large fan base down south.

Asked why he hadn’t done a Hindi film sooner, given his popularity, he says, “I have to connect with a script. I’ve always tried to do films that I want to watch. Sometimes when offers come your way, they may not match your sensibilities. I didn’t plan [for] this year to be my debut in Telugu and Hindi. Everything just happened, and it’s wonderful. I’m open to other languages. Also, Hindi was my second language in school and I’d lived in Mumbai for six months earlier. I found it easier than Telugu.”

Being the son of Malayalam cinema’s superstar Mammootty, the limelight was always on Dulquer. But like many actors of his age, the 32year-old saw his fame shoot up thanks to the digital age.

“If people know my work, a lot of it is due to these new mediums. Due to the IT boom, Indians have migrated all over the country. Even the current generation of the Indian diaspora abroad seems to connect more with our films now. I feel lucky to be at the right place at the right time,” says Dulquer, adding, “I don’t think we’re doing anything more amazing than the previous generation of actors, but I think for us, the timing has worked. Most kids now have things in common across India. The Internet has made the world smaller. If I’m relatable to someone in Kerala, I’m also relatable to someone in Delhi or Mumbai.”

He himself likes Hindi films. “I watch it all — mainstream Hindi cinema to offbeat Hindi cinema. I’ve seen a lot of old films of Amitabh Bachchan. My dad is a huge influence. He watches all kinds of cinema and says that you should keep watching movies across the spectrum, whether it’s old or new, good or bad. So I’m open to everything. But when I sign a film, I have to see myself in that role,” says the actor. “I loved Raazi, so I’d love to work with Meghna Gulzar,” he adds.

He seems to have a strategy for choosing films: “You get a vibe when you meet the makers. I always look for that intent. Everybody involved in Karwaan wanted to make a good film. Everything was planned to the T and it has been a pleasant experience. I’ve been lucky to work with efficient teams in all my films.”