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Is Gaurav Chopraa quitting the small screen?
With two Bollywood films and a Hollywood flick in his kitty, Gaurav has no time for television
NICOLE DASTUR
Was Bollywood your ultimate destination?
Well, films are an obvious step up for any actor, and I want to say a big 'thank you' to those who helped me get here, but no, films weren't a deliberate move. I hadn't planned it. I think my small role in the Leonardo DiCaprio movie Blood Diamond was the real turning point in my career.
But your role in Blood Diamond — your Hollywood debut — was a blinkand-you-miss it appearance…
I'll be honest. I was quite disappointed with the final outcome, because my role was edited and chopped a lot. But it was a big banner film, with big actors, and so, despite the small role, I got noticed. Blood Diamond has been instrumental in me getting offers from Bollywood.
So you already have two Bollywood films up your sleeve?
Yes, in one (Humne Jeena Seekh Liya), which releases in October, I just have a guest appearance. But it's a serious role, a strong character. I'm playing a social activist who is disillusioned, but has not lost faith. The character has an aura of heroism to it. On the other hand, I'm doing an outand-out commercial film with Boney Kapoor, where I'm playing a glam, sexy bad boy, like John Abraham in Dhoom. That's set for a 2008 release. And I'm also in talks with the director of Humne Jeena Seekh Liya for another film too. So I have a mix of commercial and meaningful cinema.
Well, films are an obvious step up for any actor, and I want to say a big 'thank you' to those who helped me get here, but no, films weren't a deliberate move. I hadn't planned it. I think my small role in the Leonardo DiCaprio movie Blood Diamond was the real turning point in my career.
But your role in Blood Diamond — your Hollywood debut — was a blinkand-you-miss it appearance…
I'll be honest. I was quite disappointed with the final outcome, because my role was edited and chopped a lot. But it was a big banner film, with big actors, and so, despite the small role, I got noticed. Blood Diamond has been instrumental in me getting offers from Bollywood.
So you already have two Bollywood films up your sleeve?
Yes, in one (Humne Jeena Seekh Liya), which releases in October, I just have a guest appearance. But it's a serious role, a strong character. I'm playing a social activist who is disillusioned, but has not lost faith. The character has an aura of heroism to it. On the other hand, I'm doing an outand-out commercial film with Boney Kapoor, where I'm playing a glam, sexy bad boy, like John Abraham in Dhoom. That's set for a 2008 release. And I'm also in talks with the director of Humne Jeena Seekh Liya for another film too. So I have a mix of commercial and meaningful cinema.
Hollywood has also beckoned again…
Yes, I've also signed another Hollywood film, and this time, I'm playing the protagonist, not just a cameo. After all, I have to prove that Blood Diamond wasn't a fluke! It's a martial arts film that's set in India, so I'm also learning martial arts now.
So will we see you quit the smallscreen now?
See, I don't plan anything, I take things as they come. If my film career takes off well, I just might quit TV. But I'd like to be known as an actor per se, the medium does not really matter.
You were recently accused of throwing tantrums on the sets of Jigar Ma Badi Aag Hai
The shooting of the serial started after I backed out of the show, so where was the question of me throwing tantrums on the sets? Secondly, I was accused of having problems with Neena Gupta's lines. Why would someone in my position have a problem with a senior female actress's lines? She has no direct connection with my place in the serial! Thirdly, it was said that I interfered too much. But shouldn't an actor cease merely being a puppet and be part of the creative process too? And to set the record straight, I left the show because I was genuinely tight for time. I'm doing so much these days, really, where is the time?
Yes, I've also signed another Hollywood film, and this time, I'm playing the protagonist, not just a cameo. After all, I have to prove that Blood Diamond wasn't a fluke! It's a martial arts film that's set in India, so I'm also learning martial arts now.
So will we see you quit the smallscreen now?
See, I don't plan anything, I take things as they come. If my film career takes off well, I just might quit TV. But I'd like to be known as an actor per se, the medium does not really matter.
You were recently accused of throwing tantrums on the sets of Jigar Ma Badi Aag Hai
The shooting of the serial started after I backed out of the show, so where was the question of me throwing tantrums on the sets? Secondly, I was accused of having problems with Neena Gupta's lines. Why would someone in my position have a problem with a senior female actress's lines? She has no direct connection with my place in the serial! Thirdly, it was said that I interfered too much. But shouldn't an actor cease merely being a puppet and be part of the creative process too? And to set the record straight, I left the show because I was genuinely tight for time. I'm doing so much these days, really, where is the time?
MEDIUM NO BAR: Gaurav Chopraa
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