IT IS A DREAM COME TRUE : SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT ON HIS SECOND FILM
The young gun who has already made his mark in Bollywood with his debut venture talks about his upcoming film
Adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s ‘The 3 Mistakes of my Life’ titled —‘Kai Po Che!’ — marked the emergence of Sushant Singh Rajput in the world of celluloid. The handsome actor, who was previously a popular TV star, has now become producers’ hot favourite and is now looking forward to his second release, ‘Shuddh Desi Romance’. He shares is take on the film and more.
“We made this film; ‘Shuddh Desi Romance’ and now are busy promoting it. This is a unique as well as an unconventional film. And a very quirky and an interesting concept in real space. While in relationship one may easily connect with the onscreen characters,” shares the actor about how the audience can relate to the movie.
Being just one film old and then being a part of Yash Raj Film (YRF) seems like a dream run for any debut actor, to which he comments, “It is like a dream come true for me. I would be lying if I don’t accept that I wanted to work with YRF. I remember while in school while watching films, I would get impressed by the YRF logo starring someone. I always thought I would star in it one day. This is an exciting phase for me.”
Talking about his realistic choice of films and characters, he shares, “Every film that I am doing is the one which I can contribute to. I have four to five films. I am not saying that the films I say no to don’t have good scripts. I just feel I cannot contribute to them efficiently enough as I myself may not be convinced to be able to connect to the character.” And adds, “Also, I may not be able to come up to the expectation of the director; hence I refused quite a few films. Doing more realistic films is my first step to feeling whether I can convince myself and connect to it. Therefore, I am opting for more realistic films as well as characters.”
One film old Shushant already talks intelligently about Indian cinema. To which, he quips, “Our realistic films are designed slightly on a higher scale. These films are presented with larger than life characters. Romantic films are designed in a way which showcases emotions and the audiences connect with it. Actually, some films are made to entertain the audiences as they look forward to such films.” And adds, “Also, few films show true happenings but the moment that character tries to reveal the truth of the society, he is taken in a negative way. Our culture has certain protocols and set norms, anything shown beyond that is taken in a negative light. Showing the dark characters on reel is never liked by our folks; no matter how truly they may be depicted. Dark side of society always debars the negative characters. But if falsely our films entertain the audiences, then why not?”
Sharing his take on the 100 crore club, he says, “In 2008 only ‘Ghajini’ achieved this number. But gradually now there are many films that fall in the 100 crore league. I feel a film needs to be high on content and then there will be no looking back. And adds, “No actor signs a film thinking that his/her film will fall in the 100 crore club and so on. I basically choose a film provided I feel I can contribute to the character and take a decision according to what I may understand at that point of view. Marketing is aggressive and middle-class mentality is also changing. All these things contribute to gaining higher numbers.”
Talking about his onscreen limits and boundaries, he frankly confesses, “My limitations for bold scenes will always be pertaining to the script written for that particular character. We always tend to be polite while enacting such scenes. Doing real things on reel also helps the protagonist to be able to truthfully portray his character. Audiences have turned wise today and they feel comfortable with most of the intimate scenes as they know it is being portrayed closer to reality.”
Clarifying his role in the Aamir Khan starrer, he says, “I just have few scenes with Aamir in ‘PK’. I just had a little conversation with him. I felt that he really likes to start from scratch when he begins any film. He is always very inquisitive, passionate and also does not want to leave any stone unturned while taking up a project. But he has not advised me at any time.”
He says that money is not that important as is the quality of his work as he shares, “Money does not keep me going. Yes, I need some money for survival. The kind of films I am doing clearly states that I am in for good as well as realistic films. I remember, I decided to leave television soaps and tried to get into films at a point when I was doing very well over there. If I cared only for money, I could have done my MBA and taken up an overseas job.”
Talking about puppy love and whether he started dating young, he says, “I have not tasted puppy love. I have never been romantically inclined during my adolescent age. Yes, during my college days, I did get attracted to a girl.” When asked about marriage plans with girlfriend, Ankita Lokhande, he replied, “It will surely happen. But, I have not yet decided on the time.”