Bhagyashree’s son’s movie Mard Ko... wins big at TIFF
SON OF ACTORS Bhagyashree and Himalaya, Abhimanyu Dassani, has made it big at the recently concluded 43rd Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). His debut actionthriller Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota, directed by Vasan Bala, won a top award at the festival. This was India’s first ever entry into the festival’s Midnight Madness segment and it won the People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award. The fantasy thriller is about a man who is born with the ability to feel no pain and how he wants to test his masculinity by taking on 100 opponents in martial arts. We chat with Abhimanyu to know more.
How did you bag your first movie?
I started auditioning for many films because I wanted to know if I really had what it took to be an actor. From those auditions, I was selected for many films, but I wasn’t sure if I could do justice to a film. I then came to know about an audition for Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota. I auditioned for a month for this film and also bonded well with the director, Vasan Bala. We connected so well that I really wanted to be part of his film.
My mother has only seen the rushes of the film (Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota). She had tears in her eyes and hugged me after seeing me on screen.” Abhimanyu Dassani
Were you expecting such an overwhelming response at TIFF? We were extremely overwhelmed to be there (at TIFF). Our film was screened in a huge theatre. The crowd was amazing. It was like watching a film on a single screen. The movie got a standing ovation and the audience continued clapping for a long time after the film ended. We didn’t expect the movie to do so well in Toronto. The whole journey has been humbling and overwhelming.
What did you mother think of your debut film?
My mother has only seen the rushes of the film. She had tears in her eyes and hugged me after seeing me on screen. I saw the full film in Toronto. I cannot wait for her to see the final version of the film in the theatre.
Did this film change you on any level?
This film is an ode to all the kung fu and martial arts films from the 80s and the 90s. It has a lot of hand-to-hand combat. It says that whether you’re a 16 or a 60-year-old, you can pursue your dream if you are passionate about film. My character Surya does that because he is a child but he has an old soul who knows what his heart wants. When effort meets destiny, magic happens.