| Darsheel Safary |
Darsheel Safary, the 11-year-old TZP star is restless as we sit for a t?te-?-t?te at his South Mumbai pad. He rolls his eyes and makes faces easily. He is difficult to pin down but after a strict 'answer properly' from his mother, he gives in and says, "Ask…"
How did Taare Zameen Par happen?
I'm part of Shiamak Davar's dance troupe. During one of our classes I saw a poster which read 'Hunting for a naughty kid. If you're selected you will get a chance to act with Aamir Khan'. I just thought it would be great if I can do the film. During the same class, Amole Gupte spotted me and he asked me to give an audition. I knew that he liked me because right from day one he started calling me 'Ustad'. Of course, he asked me earlier, "Main tujhe Ustad bulayoon kya? (Can I call you Ustad?)" Eventually, I got selected.
Tell us about your preparations for the film
I didn't need to prepare myself. I had a fair idea during the workshops and I knew what to do during the shoot.
How was your first meeting with Aamir Khan?
I met him at his office. He was wearing a cap and I didn't recognise him. He came up to me and greeted me. I said, 'Hi! Who are you?" He said, "I'm Aamir Khan," and my reaction was "Oh".
How about Kiran Rao?
Kkkkiran, I spent a lot of time with her after there were some problems with Amole Frog. I call Amole uncle 'Frog'. I met her at Chembur for the first time and she was sporting cropped hair. While filming a few scenes, she used to say, 'Roll, camera, action!'
Tell us about your Panchghani experience.
We shot for two months but with breaks. I used to travel between Mumbai and Panchghani quite frequently. We used to shoot for almost 12 hours every day. I hated putting make-up on my face, especially, under my eyes. When I had to enact crying scenes, they had put thick skin-like pads on my under-eye to get a sore-eye effect. I don't like anyone touching my eye or the area around it. Also, those pads left me with a burning sensation my eye.
How about those harsh arc lights?
When I used to stare at those strong lights, my eyes used to contract and my lashes would tremble. In fact, Aamir uncle used to make fun of me then. He used to say, "Arre kaisa actor hai tu? (What kind of an actor are you, man?)"
Were you staying away from your parents for the first time?
My dad is usually busy with his business, and my mum had to take care of my six-year-old sister Nejvi. So, they couldn't accompany me. It was my dadi who joined me at Panchgani.
How did you manage to study on the sets?
My mum's strict orders were to study as much as I could while shooting. The post-production head Sunita was in-charge of looking after my studies, and she carried my books to the sets. Aamir uncle also gave me few lessons in English grammar. A teacher from New Era High School (where we shot TZP) also taught me.
What would you do after pack-up?
After wrapping a day's shoot, I used to gather my friends, Tanay and Sachit, and head to watch films in the hotel. I have seen Dhoom 2 thrice, Shah Rukh's Don twice, and Lagaan twice.
Was filming a tiring experience?
Yeah, it was tiring. I lost over two kilos.
What was the best part of filming?
I used to sit on my own in a huge room and Aamir uncle would walk in and explain the scene to be done. He just had to teach me how to cry, otherwise the rest of the expressions are my own. Actually, I hate crying and I equally hate to see people cry.
Did Aamir scream at you?
Yes, there were times when he screamed at me. I remember I used to be awake till 1 am or 2 am. The next morning, on the sets, I used to keep yawning. Aamir uncle used to get upset then as he wanted me to go to bed by 10 in the night.
Did he ever bribe you on the sets?
No. It was only on my birthday (March 9) earlier this year that he gifted me an X-box 360.
How was the wrap-up party of TZP?
It was a disappointment. I couldn't even eat a single piece of cake as they didn't call for an eggless cake. I'm a pure Jain and I cannot have non-vegetarian cakes.
If given a chance, will you like to do another film?
It is for my mum and dad to decide.
What do you think?
I would like to do short roles and shoot only on weekends.
What do you want to do when you grow up?
I want to join my father's jewellery business. I don't want to be an actor, and I don't like to be so famous. I hate how girls in my school pull my cheeks.
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