Success comes to those who dare
With The Pink File and Grandpa Turns Model nominated for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, 31-year-old Aankkur Malhotra is making a mark, both on the big screen as well as on TV
Tell us a little about yourself, your education?
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Telecom and Electronics Engineering from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Bhopal and I finished school from Delhi Public School (DPS), RK Puram. I was considered an excellent mathematics student and had good grades in all my other subjects as well. However, deep inside I had different passions.
Is your family supportive of your career?
My parents are extremely supportive of my career as an actor. Both of them worked in multinational companies as professionals. With my academic qualifications I managed to get good opportunities with Infosys, Airtel and Vodafone. However, the nine-to-five job routine wasn’t my dream!
What made you select acting as a profession?
It’s always best to do what you’re passionate about. Pursuing a career you aren’t interested in, only results in desultory performances at work and a dissatisfied life. I was in DPS when I performed the lead role in a play called Mira, directed by the well-known MK Raina. This led me to believe that I was born to act. There are sacrifices to be made for anything you really want to be successful at.
You have done a variety of roles on different platforms – theatre, television, docu-dramas and films. Which one do you prefer working on and why?
Despite the different platforms, my focus has been more on the characters and the roles I have played. I have always preferred impactful and strong character roles. Each platform has its own charm for an actor. I am here to perform and the bigger the challenge, the more I enjoy taking it up. I am now waiting to break into the web series world as well!
How has working across so many genres helped you?
Well, working with multinationals brought in the discipline that is needed to focus on work. Entering the entertainment industry took me through a rough patch initially. However, every genre taught me the power of observation and patience. Even the failures led to me challenging myself along the way.
Which of your roles has been your best and which disappointed you?
I enjoyed every role that I delivered but the most enjoyable was my character of Rizvi in the short film The Pink File that is streaming on Disney Hotstar. Sometimes, some insignificant roles did disappoint me, but my dreams are stronger I guess.
How would you describe yourself?
I’d really describe myself as a person with a versatile skill set, a lot of integrity and a willingness to go that extra mile to justify the character I am playing. I’m a people person and am well versed in interacting with a diverse array of personalities. I’m a creative thinker and like to explore alternative solutions to problems.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
First, let me say that I want to contribute as much as I can to the industry. In five years, I see myself as a more successful and established actor. One who keeps upgrading his skills in order to achieve his career goals. My aim is to be at a place where I can make a difference.
What is your vision for the future?
I am here to exceed all expectations with performances that touch and inspire others! Nothing will take priority over my career, my auditions, my training and my preparation. These come first.
Give us an indication of your growth in this industry
I began my career with small roles in CID from where there was no turning back. I went on to perform as parallel lead in Mahisagar, as negative lead in Niyati, I had roles in Qubool Hai, Pavitra Rishta, Bade Acche Lagte Hai and many more. Most of the roles I have taken have been of strong characters. Remuneration has never been the key to my accepting a role – the character has always been important. I have now done nearly five or six ads for Pepsi, done the voiceover for a financial series called Smart Alex, a couple of music videos as well as seven short films streaming on Shemaroo, Disney Hotstar, Pocket Films and Amazon. I have also appeared in a film by Satish Kaushik called Gangs of Ghosts (2014). My biggest break comes this year in a feature film called Risk Wala Ishq, where I play the negative lead.
“I AM HERE TO PERFORM AND THE BIGGER THE CHALLENGE, THE MORE I ENJOYTAKINGITUP” —AANKKUR MALHOTRA