‘There’s more scope to perform in web serials’
caught up with Hindi cinema great Sunil Shetty to discuss his debut web drama Dharavi Bank, larger-than-life character, acting, inspirations and why he believes this is the most exciting time for him as an actor.
What does acting mean to you after all these years?
Acting for me now still means a hell of a lot because it has kept my interest alive in working. It’s given me more reason to stay healthier, fitter and to keep learning. When you keep learning is when you keep growing, so acting remains a very important part of my life. My passion for acting is more alive than ever because I believe I’ve just begun to understand the medium better. These few years when I took time away enabled me to step back and understand more. I watched a lot more, including other actors, and believe I’ve learned so much, which has now inspired me to showcase my talent in a different way.
Tell us about that?
Keeping that passion alive is definitely an opportunity to do different kinds of roles now because I’ve come of age. I can play important, beautiful and different characters on diverse platforms, and languages. Also, play my age and enjoy the journey more, instead of competing with anybody. Now it’s more about competing with yourself in every project you do, and hopefully keep doing better work.
What did you like about
Dharavi
Bank?
It is just something amazing that has been a part of the Mumbai system and gave me a strongly written character with a lot of layers. It enabled me to play my age and godfather to so many people, which he was. It had that realism and gave me an opportunity to shoot in Dharavi, which was just super-duper exciting.
Tell us about the character you play in the show?
Well, Thalaivan is the cop’s biggest enemy, but also the people’s messiah. He is godfather to the people of Dharavi, which is a $3.6 billion industry spread over 523 acres. It is a land he controls fearlessly. He will do anything for his family and the people. You have seen shows and films where the biggest dons run away every time the police are after them. But here he stays in his own terrain and challenges the police to come in. It took over 15 years for the cops to even get close to him. So that says a lot about the character, his obsession for his family and everything he does. He’s black, grey and white, but he does everything with utmost honesty. So, it’s a crazy character that was very exciting for me to play.
Did your approach as an actor change for a web series?
My approach did change, keeping the character, age, story and setting in mind. The calmness of the character from the exterior and turmoil within. The diction, more than the language itself, was a challenge. Coming from a south background, the kind of language I had to use was very challenging. I had to do my Hindi wrong. Speaking correct Hindi is not a problem, but speaking it wrong was a huge challenge. I guess I managed to do that, not with ease but with a lot of difficulty, but I think eventually it turned out right.
Will you be doing more web serials?
Yes, for sure, because I like the way the stories unfold. From an actor’s perspective, there’s more scope to perform the layering of your own character. It’s a huge opportunity to prove yourself as an actor and that’s what one wants to do at this stage of their life.
What was it like seeing your son Ahan Shetty make his film debut in
Tadap?
I had tears in my eyes when I saw him. I’m glad that he did Tadap with a sea-soned director and producer. He has got a lot of appreciation and I’m now looking forward to new films that he’s doing.