Numerous auditions, a few rejections and an acting course in New York later, Amit Sadh got his big Bollywood break —Disney UTV's Kai Po Che
Launch Vehicle
I essay the character of Omkar Shastri, fondly called Omi, in Kai Po Che. He is a loving son, adored by his parents and very popular among his friends. He has grown up in a very devout environment as his father is the head priest in a temple. It is a coming-of-age film; the story of three friends, Sushant Singh Rajput, Raj Kumar Yadav and me. Without any direction in life, Omi emulates his friend, Ishaan played by Rajput. This is how his journey begins in the film.
Casting Coup
I was called for a screen test by casting director, Mukesh Chabbra and had to go through a rigorous audition process. My director, Abhishek Kapoor liked my work, and one fine day they called me and said that I was on board. I think I am very lucky to get an interesting and demanding role, which helps you tap your talent.
Stepping Stone
I had done a short stint on television, but after sometime, I felt that I was stagnating. The desire to grow as an actor and exploit different avenues urged me to try my luck in films. I auditioned for a couple of films without any luck. Then, I enrolled for an acting course in New York. After I returned, I signed my first film with Naseeruddin Shah and Sonu Sood called Maximum. My career took a turn for the better, after I was selected for Kai Po Che. I am very grateful to God and the people who gave me this opportunity.
First Shot
I was very nervous on the first day of the shoot and was constantly thinking about how I should play my character, which is complex. I give full credit to the director, whom I consider to be one of the finest in the industry, for guiding me. After every scene, he would interact with us and talk about things other than acting, which considerably calmed our nerves. I was very comfortable working with my co-stars, since we shared a good rapport with each other, having done several workshops for the film.
Stumbling Block
Physically, it was very challenging as my weight varies at different points in the film. There were times when I had to lose eight to nine kilos within three to four days. I play a very complex character, and for me to understand Omi's emotional turmoil became very difficult. I would blindly follow Abhishek's instructions, and it is because of his guidance that I could essay the role so convincingly.
Lessons Learnt
For me, this film has served as a strong foundation and helped me understand the finer nuances of acting and how to work as a team. There is so much to learn and understand. I am like the child who has entered an amusement park and is dazzled by what he sees. This film has opened the doors to a whole new world of cinematic experience.
Matinee Idols
I have grown up idolising Amitabh Bachchan. You can learn so much from him. Besides him, I am inspired by a lot of people. At this moment, my director is the one person who inspires me the most.
Future Projects
Presently, all my energy is focussed on Kai Po Che.
asad.khan@expressindia.com
An Actor's Journey
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So far, Amit Sadh's life has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride, one he willingly hopped on to, and is enjoying immensely. While the actor's current stop is his latest role as Omi in Abhishek Kapoor's film Kai Po Che, Sadh's starting point was being an adventure sports instructor in the Himalayas.
"But my real passion was always acting, to be on screen," says Sadh, who took off for Mumbai on his Royal Enfield Bullet bike one day, to take a shot at acting. Portfolios, usual rounds of auditions and that initial struggle later, Sadh landed his first role on Neena Gupta's television production Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr, where he played Adi. Next, he played both a mafia don and lover in Guns and Roses, which established him as an actor. Other big-ticket television shows followed and Sadh danced his way into reality show Nach Baliye with actor Neeru Bajwa, his fiancee at that time.
There was Bigg Boss too, but celluloid dreams beckoned Sadh and he made his debut with Ram Gopal Varma's Phoonk 2. Hungry for more, Sadh decided to take a sabbatical. "I was getting a lot of television work but cinema was difficult. I decided to take a break and work on myself — my acting skills and personality," he says.
Around two years ago, Sadh went to New York to join an acting course at the Lee Strasberg Institute. "It helped me grow emotionally as an actor," he explains. After completing the intensive course, Sadh returned to Mumbai and bagged a part in the film Maximum, directed by Kabeer Kaushik (director of Sehar).
Come February 22, Sadh is one of the three lead actors in Kai Po Che, the adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's novel The 3 Mistakes of My Life. But it wasn't easy to get this one. It took Sadh three years to chase one of Bollywood's ace casting directors Mukesh Chhabra to bag a good role. "I just wanted to do Kai Po Che. It's a coming-of-age film — of middle-class friendships, relationships, dreams and struggles. It is based in a small town, and I come from a small town too. Small-town friendships run deep, and I could instantly relate to it," says the actor, who is anxious about the audience's reaction to the film. "I don't want to let anyone down," he says.
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