DROPPING OUT OF COLLEGE WAS BRAVE: SUSHANT
Sushant Singh Rajput is excited by the diverse characters on offer today
Actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s recent film, Chhichhore, connected with the audiences as it took everyone on a trip down nostalgia lane, back to their college days. And the film’s theme, ‘You aren’t a loser if you fail, you are a loser if you don’t try at all’, is something that rings true in the actor’s life as well.
“For me, getting into an engineering college was a matter of importance. But, realising my calling for the performing arts and dropping out of Delhi College of Engineering (now Delhi Technological University) was a brave move. Also, getting recognition and love for the character I played on TV (Pavitra Rishta) was a great high. But then, wanting to pursue films was a brave and smart move,” he says.
And in pursuit of his dreams and passion, there is one thing the 33-year-old never lost. “It is my urge to be a better actor and a better person,” he shares.
Having worked in an interesting mix of films such as Kai Po Che, Shuddh Desi Romance (both in 2013), PK (2014), Detective Byomkesh Bakshy (2015), MS Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016), Raabta (2017), Kedarnath (2018) and this year’s Sonchiriya, Sushant now feels less intimidated playing lead roles.
“I’ve been acting for 13 years, ever since my school days, and have played close to 50 odd characters. I now feel more excited and less intimidated by powerful, rich and complex characters. I like to do more of such roles,” Sushant says.
Talking about the biggest challenge in playing diverse characters, the actor adds, “I think the power and richness of diversity are often undermined. The process of filmmaking and building the character are exciting, but only when one gets the opportunity to play diverse stories and roles. Though there is room for everyone to explore different genres, not many get the opportunity to do so. With time, my ideas are evolving, the world around me and the technologies are changing, so it would be only wise to adapt to the changes.”
Happy with the response to Chhichhore, which has crossed the ₹100-crore mark at the box office, Sushant is looking forward to quite a few projects. In the works are Dil Bechara, co-starring Sanjana Sanghi and Saif Ali Khan and Drive (a web film) co-starring Jacqueline Fernandez.
“My idea behind doing any film is that I should get to enjoy and learn in the process. And more and more people should get to watch them which would bring about an emotional bonding, for however brief a period. With Chhichhore, all of these were met and I’m really happy with the results,” Sushant adds.