‘ACTORS SHOULD LOOK THE PART’
Ashish Sharma says looks aren’t important but fitting the role is; talks about playing a transgender in a film and more
Now that my show has ended, I might take a break for a few months,” says Ashish Sharma, who took off to Bali, Indonesia, for a vacation after his last show, Prithvi Vallabh. In his eight-year-old career, he has starred in hit shows including Chandragupta Maurya and Rangrasiya. He says his last two shows — Siya Ke Ram and Prithvi Vallabh — were costume dramas and “demanded more of him as an actor”. Ashish talks about ratings, looking the part, and playing a transgender in a film.
Your last show Prithvi Vallabh was a fantasyhistorical show on a grand scale but didn’t deliver expected ratings.
Every role takes something away from you and leaves you with something too. For me, the show was an enriching and poetic journey. The show demanded a lot of energy and time, and exhausted me emotionally, too. I connected with the role and it taught me a lot about people. As for ratings, since the beginning of my career, I have never given much thought to them as I don’t have control over them. There have been shows that rated well but people forget them as soon as they go off air. As an actor, I work towards memorable roles in my shows.
Which role has been the most memorable for you?
I can’t differentiate between my roles and shows as the role I am playing at any given time is the most important and memorable for me. I ensure my roles don’t have any hangover of my previous characters. But, I will say that Rangrasiya was the turning point in my career. It gave me an opportunity to show my range as an actor and people took notice too.
Your looks in various shows have always been noticed. How important are looks for an actor?
An actor shouldn’t worry about his or her looks but about looking the part. An actor has to be presentable and look good on screen, but also fit for the role. The first thing anyone notices about a character is if they suit the role, and that is judged by body language and clothes. Then half the battle is won. In Rangrasiya, the moment I wore an Army officer’s costume, my walk changed. In Prithvi Vallabh, the dhoti, headgear and jewellery made me feel the character.
Your wife Archana Taide produced Khejdi, where you play a transgender. What was the appeal?
I had read this short story in a magazine four years ago and it was a hard-hitting story. It stayed with me, so we adapted it into a film. My wife and I have co-written the film and she has produced it. We shot it last year and the film premiered at the Kashish Film Festival 2018. It will go to various film festivals this year. The role was fascinating and I even lost 20 kilos for the role.
Rangrasiya was the turning point in my career. It gave me an opportunity to show my range as an actor and people took notice too. ASHISH SHARMA, ACTOR