Posted:
The wheels of fortune seem to be tilting in your favour as far as Bollywood is concerned...
I consider myself extremely lucky to bag such plum deals. Baba Bholenath's aashirwaad is reaping such ripe benefits. My hard work is finally paying off. I have become more responsible towards my work.
Does that mean you were irresponsible earlier?
No. I've matured over the years. There's no love or romance ? in other words, no distraction.
So, romance is a distraction, you say?
In a way, it is. Romance calls for concentration, which in turn, shifts focus from one's work.
And how difficult is it working for Mani Ratnam?
I was shooting for Soham Shah's Luck in South Africa when I got a call from Mani Sir's office asking me to appear for a look test. He had not seen my work though I was his earnest fan. I auditioned and he loved it. In fact, shooting for Ravan with him is like a big exam. We have to wake up at 3.30 am or even earlier on certain days. It's like a Shaolin temple where Mani Ratnam is the master and the rest of us soldiers ready to get into action any minute.
You play Bachchan junior's younger brother. How difficult was it cutting down on the years?
That's precisely why I had to lose weight, look different and cultivate a different body language to bring back the innocence on my face which seems to fade away with maturity. In fact, I've lost 16 kgs.
Rumour goes that Mani Ratnam is doing away with the mythological parallels...
All I can say is that it has nothing to do with the Ramayana or the Mahabharata.
Can you spill the beans on the Shyam Benegal project, Abba Ka Kuan?
Well, he simply loves me and hence I am part of his next as well, post Welcome To Sajjanpur. Shyam babu says that working with me is a beautiful celebration.
Now that your Bollywood innings is on in full swing, how do you intend to score runs on the Bhojpuri field?
Bhojpuri cinema is my mother and Bollywood my father. But if earlier, I did 12 Bhojpuri films, now, I will do five.
You are a superstar in the Bhojpuri industry while in Bollywood you are an actor. Does that hurt the star ego?
No, in fact, it keeps me grounded. I know the value of time, money and relationships. I've never got anything easy. And I don't mind auditioning for a big director. Frankly, I feel that after these films see daylight, I will not have to audition in Bollywood other than a Hollywood venture.
You were offered a ticket for the coming Lok Sabha polls by BSP. Are you harbouring any political intentions?
I was offered two to three party tickets. But I think, this isn't the right time for me to enter politics. I have to become stronger. Jounpur is my village and it certainly needs me. But I will go back when the right time comes.
I consider myself extremely lucky to bag such plum deals. Baba Bholenath's aashirwaad is reaping such ripe benefits. My hard work is finally paying off. I have become more responsible towards my work.
Does that mean you were irresponsible earlier?
No. I've matured over the years. There's no love or romance ? in other words, no distraction.
So, romance is a distraction, you say?
In a way, it is. Romance calls for concentration, which in turn, shifts focus from one's work.
And how difficult is it working for Mani Ratnam?
I was shooting for Soham Shah's Luck in South Africa when I got a call from Mani Sir's office asking me to appear for a look test. He had not seen my work though I was his earnest fan. I auditioned and he loved it. In fact, shooting for Ravan with him is like a big exam. We have to wake up at 3.30 am or even earlier on certain days. It's like a Shaolin temple where Mani Ratnam is the master and the rest of us soldiers ready to get into action any minute.
You play Bachchan junior's younger brother. How difficult was it cutting down on the years?
That's precisely why I had to lose weight, look different and cultivate a different body language to bring back the innocence on my face which seems to fade away with maturity. In fact, I've lost 16 kgs.
Rumour goes that Mani Ratnam is doing away with the mythological parallels...
All I can say is that it has nothing to do with the Ramayana or the Mahabharata.
Can you spill the beans on the Shyam Benegal project, Abba Ka Kuan?
Well, he simply loves me and hence I am part of his next as well, post Welcome To Sajjanpur. Shyam babu says that working with me is a beautiful celebration.
Now that your Bollywood innings is on in full swing, how do you intend to score runs on the Bhojpuri field?
Bhojpuri cinema is my mother and Bollywood my father. But if earlier, I did 12 Bhojpuri films, now, I will do five.
You are a superstar in the Bhojpuri industry while in Bollywood you are an actor. Does that hurt the star ego?
No, in fact, it keeps me grounded. I know the value of time, money and relationships. I've never got anything easy. And I don't mind auditioning for a big director. Frankly, I feel that after these films see daylight, I will not have to audition in Bollywood other than a Hollywood venture.
You were offered a ticket for the coming Lok Sabha polls by BSP. Are you harbouring any political intentions?
I was offered two to three party tickets. But I think, this isn't the right time for me to enter politics. I have to become stronger. Jounpur is my village and it certainly needs me. But I will go back when the right time comes.
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