Posted:
interview with annop soni aka raghav dutt
DREAM TO BELIEVE
"Saying 'no' to work adds to one's insecurity!"
Childhood dreams! Don't we have 'em all?! But how many of us really
pursue them. When I say 'really' I really mean 'really'! All you clerks
out there who desired to become diplomats, or secretaries who fancied
trying out for the Miss India pageant, or accountants who wished to become
DJs or even executives who'd rather be ramp models… what happened?
Well, that's one question I needn't ask one four-year-old who dreamt of
becoming an actor… followed his dream… and has grown up into an actor
today. Meet Anoop Soni whose dream has come true, but is one dude who's
still aiming higher. Let's chat up with the television actor, theatre
artiste and film actor who is one die-hard optimist if there ever was
one.
One sultry afternoon, at a 'Coffee Day' outlet at the Fun Republic
complex, we met over steaming cups of coffee. The actor filled me in with a
bit about his past, and plans for the future. As far as the present is
concerned, he is crossing his fingers for the release of Sheen where he
plays a prime part. He has also just turned proud papa of a bouncing
baby gal. Finding time from rushing between hospital and home,
ministering to his wife and new-born babe, the actor takes a break, relaxing,
smelling the coffee, and providing me with details about his much-
checquered career. Here are a few excerpts from an interview that still has
traces of that delicious aroma of coffee around it. Invigorating is the
word!
Those were the days: "My father was an employee with the government
organisation, SAIL. This entailed a flurry of transfers and subsequent
change of schools. As far as I can remember, maybe at four, I was keen on
becoming an actor. I'd look at the big screen and desperately want to
emulate the film stars. But I thought they were super human, not normal
human beings, like myself, and so dismissed the desire as an
unattainable one. Yet acting always remained at the back of my mind."
A healthy cocktail of college and theatre: "Then came college in
Jaipur. That was where I learnt about theatre workshops and joined the
Ravindra Manch. I was regular with theatre but also a dedicated student.
I was in class 12th and continued till my graduation, giving both equal
attention. Thus, while guys from my peer group would be busy freaking
out, I'd be busy discussing theatre with elderly theatre enthusiasts and
reading Hindi plays."
Time for some serious drama: "Graduation complete, I heard about the
National School of Drama (NSD) from friends. They also cautioned me that
seats were limited and the admission procedure was gruelling. I was
already a commerce graduate and had decided to after do my Chartered
Accountancy along with Law. I said 'yes' to C.A. and also signed up with the
Rajasthan University as a Law student. But the NSD idea haunted me! I
said to myself, 'If it's so tough, I'm sure I won't get in, but at least
I'll have tried.' Surprisingly, I secured admission at the first
attempt."
Call 'em Crossroads!: "Now came a tough decision. Continue with my
studies or join the NSD? This was because opportunity had knocked at my
door. I got round my father by convincing him that the NSD was a
government organisation, run by the Ministry of Human Resources, and that the
graduates of the NSD are considered post-graduates outside. After passing
out I'd be eligible for vacancies in All India Radio, Doordarshan,
Ministry for Art and Culture, Information and Broadcasting etc. My father
being a government servant. He bought my argument. Besides, my family
knew that I was not one to take my career lightly. They had faith that
I'd eke out a decent living."
An NSD dude: "I gave up my C.A. and law too. I spent three years at the
NSD and passed out. What next, was uppermost in my mind. That was the
time satellite television was on the rise. Zee TV was there but channels
like Home TV, BiTV and Sony were emerging. I started taking up kids'
workshops. I did it for two years. Monetarily it wasn't much but even if
one earned Rs. 4000 per month there, it was a great thing. In 1995 I
decided to move over to Mumbai to try my luck."
Mumbai meri hai: "I met Kishore Namit Kapoor who ran his acting
classes. Impressed by my NSD credentials he said, "Why don't you teach here?
I'll pay you a little." I used to get Rs. 300 a class. The entire '95 I
spent teaching. Besides this, the Stardust Academy had aspiring actors
being trained. I took a couple of classes per week, for them too. Among
those who passed my tutelage were Akshaye Khanna, Apoorva Agnihotri,
Anjela Jhaveri, Priya Gill and others. I began meeting people and gained
exposure to the glamour world. After a year there, I realised I was
getting too involved in teaching and forgetting my focus – acting."
Television unlimited!: "I started meeting people but was offered bit
roles, until I met filmmaker B S Shaad who advised me to join television.
He said, 'It's a good platform for newcomers. Films can come later on.'
I took his advice. My first serial was Anubhav Sinha's Sea Hawks ('97)
co-starring Madhavan, Nikki Aneja and Simone Singh. It was popular on
DD Metro and I got a Screen Award nomination for it. After that it was
television unlimited. I did Safar, Shanti, Saaya, Kartavya, Lekin, I
Love You, Gaatha and Sansar. Four years of doing hectic television passed
me by until 2001. During my TV phase a film fell into my lap. It was
Godmother and it was wonderful working in it. And I wanted more."
Confusion confounded?: "Wannabe film actors sometimes get confused. I
wanted to leave television but was told, 'There are guys out there
struggling to enter TV and you are well settled, so carry on.' I came to my
senses and thought enough was enough because my ultimate aim was the
big screen. If I continued with television, I'd remain a television actor
forever. I began saying no to television, aiming for movies. Saying
'no' to work adds to one's insecurity. I'd got married just before that
time. My wife is from the corporate world and we thought we'd manage in
life, and here I was, opting out of a career."
Big screen offers: "Although firmly entrenched in television, I began
life as a struggler again. Knocking doors, facing rejection, being
offered bit roles, told to return to television… I experienced it all. But
the optimist in me never died. I subsequently did films like Hathyaar,
Khushi, Fiza, Footpath and Kagaar. They weren't major roles but I
thought of them as stepping-stones to something bigger. Kagaar was a very
good film. I received appreciation for it and for Footpath too."
Sheen: "Finally, I bagged Sheen, which I am looking forward to. The
film is on the Kashmiri Pandits' situation. I play a guy whom
circumstances change. A terrorist, he does not feel he is in the wrong. The role is
a powerful one although I wouldn't call it negative. Many people
advised me against doing it but I thought to myself, 'How long will I sustain
myself, doing bit roles in films.' I'm looking out for a respectable
career in films. Something like Manoj Bajpai, like Irrfan Khan today. An
actor needs footage."
Looking out for: "A good banner, good people behind it and a good role.
The promotion of a film is also important. For instance, a film I did
for Rajshri, came and went without one having an inkling about its
existence. I also lost out on a major role in Company, even though I met Ram
Gopal Varma and auditioned for the part. The tragedy was that I looked
too young for the role that ultimately went to Ajay Devgan."
TV Today?: "Although I want to totally concentrate on films, I'm not
averse to doing television. But only episodic serials where I am needed
for a four-day shooting slot. I did one recently. The thing is, if I
sign a regular serial, I'm afraid of losing out on a big film. Television
gets an actor appreciation, but it's not the same as for a big screen
star."
Tomorrow is another day: "There's a film in the offing with Raj
Babbar's son in it but it's not yet finalised. But I must recount an
experience that has given me an insight into the film world. There was a
multi-starrer that I had auditioned for. The filmmaker offered me a bit part
in it, but made it seem that it was a great one. On analysing the role I
realised that at the most I'd be in it for just a couple of scenes. I
politely refused it. The filmmaker retorted, 'So, you prefer quantity to
quality'? It hurt! Filmmakers have to remember that every actor has the
right to shape his own career. Give an actor the right to say 'no'.
Just because an actor is a struggler, he doesn't have to say 'yes' to
everything being offered to him."
Fair enough! Respect yourself, and the world will respect you! And for
folks like Anoop, the stars aren't too high. Just stretch a bit more!
And the world will be theirs!
DREAM TO BELIEVE
"Saying 'no' to work adds to one's insecurity!"
Childhood dreams! Don't we have 'em all?! But how many of us really
pursue them. When I say 'really' I really mean 'really'! All you clerks
out there who desired to become diplomats, or secretaries who fancied
trying out for the Miss India pageant, or accountants who wished to become
DJs or even executives who'd rather be ramp models… what happened?
Well, that's one question I needn't ask one four-year-old who dreamt of
becoming an actor… followed his dream… and has grown up into an actor
today. Meet Anoop Soni whose dream has come true, but is one dude who's
still aiming higher. Let's chat up with the television actor, theatre
artiste and film actor who is one die-hard optimist if there ever was
one.
One sultry afternoon, at a 'Coffee Day' outlet at the Fun Republic
complex, we met over steaming cups of coffee. The actor filled me in with a
bit about his past, and plans for the future. As far as the present is
concerned, he is crossing his fingers for the release of Sheen where he
plays a prime part. He has also just turned proud papa of a bouncing
baby gal. Finding time from rushing between hospital and home,
ministering to his wife and new-born babe, the actor takes a break, relaxing,
smelling the coffee, and providing me with details about his much-
checquered career. Here are a few excerpts from an interview that still has
traces of that delicious aroma of coffee around it. Invigorating is the
word!
Those were the days: "My father was an employee with the government
organisation, SAIL. This entailed a flurry of transfers and subsequent
change of schools. As far as I can remember, maybe at four, I was keen on
becoming an actor. I'd look at the big screen and desperately want to
emulate the film stars. But I thought they were super human, not normal
human beings, like myself, and so dismissed the desire as an
unattainable one. Yet acting always remained at the back of my mind."
A healthy cocktail of college and theatre: "Then came college in
Jaipur. That was where I learnt about theatre workshops and joined the
Ravindra Manch. I was regular with theatre but also a dedicated student.
I was in class 12th and continued till my graduation, giving both equal
attention. Thus, while guys from my peer group would be busy freaking
out, I'd be busy discussing theatre with elderly theatre enthusiasts and
reading Hindi plays."
Time for some serious drama: "Graduation complete, I heard about the
National School of Drama (NSD) from friends. They also cautioned me that
seats were limited and the admission procedure was gruelling. I was
already a commerce graduate and had decided to after do my Chartered
Accountancy along with Law. I said 'yes' to C.A. and also signed up with the
Rajasthan University as a Law student. But the NSD idea haunted me! I
said to myself, 'If it's so tough, I'm sure I won't get in, but at least
I'll have tried.' Surprisingly, I secured admission at the first
attempt."
Call 'em Crossroads!: "Now came a tough decision. Continue with my
studies or join the NSD? This was because opportunity had knocked at my
door. I got round my father by convincing him that the NSD was a
government organisation, run by the Ministry of Human Resources, and that the
graduates of the NSD are considered post-graduates outside. After passing
out I'd be eligible for vacancies in All India Radio, Doordarshan,
Ministry for Art and Culture, Information and Broadcasting etc. My father
being a government servant. He bought my argument. Besides, my family
knew that I was not one to take my career lightly. They had faith that
I'd eke out a decent living."
An NSD dude: "I gave up my C.A. and law too. I spent three years at the
NSD and passed out. What next, was uppermost in my mind. That was the
time satellite television was on the rise. Zee TV was there but channels
like Home TV, BiTV and Sony were emerging. I started taking up kids'
workshops. I did it for two years. Monetarily it wasn't much but even if
one earned Rs. 4000 per month there, it was a great thing. In 1995 I
decided to move over to Mumbai to try my luck."
Mumbai meri hai: "I met Kishore Namit Kapoor who ran his acting
classes. Impressed by my NSD credentials he said, "Why don't you teach here?
I'll pay you a little." I used to get Rs. 300 a class. The entire '95 I
spent teaching. Besides this, the Stardust Academy had aspiring actors
being trained. I took a couple of classes per week, for them too. Among
those who passed my tutelage were Akshaye Khanna, Apoorva Agnihotri,
Anjela Jhaveri, Priya Gill and others. I began meeting people and gained
exposure to the glamour world. After a year there, I realised I was
getting too involved in teaching and forgetting my focus – acting."
Television unlimited!: "I started meeting people but was offered bit
roles, until I met filmmaker B S Shaad who advised me to join television.
He said, 'It's a good platform for newcomers. Films can come later on.'
I took his advice. My first serial was Anubhav Sinha's Sea Hawks ('97)
co-starring Madhavan, Nikki Aneja and Simone Singh. It was popular on
DD Metro and I got a Screen Award nomination for it. After that it was
television unlimited. I did Safar, Shanti, Saaya, Kartavya, Lekin, I
Love You, Gaatha and Sansar. Four years of doing hectic television passed
me by until 2001. During my TV phase a film fell into my lap. It was
Godmother and it was wonderful working in it. And I wanted more."
Confusion confounded?: "Wannabe film actors sometimes get confused. I
wanted to leave television but was told, 'There are guys out there
struggling to enter TV and you are well settled, so carry on.' I came to my
senses and thought enough was enough because my ultimate aim was the
big screen. If I continued with television, I'd remain a television actor
forever. I began saying no to television, aiming for movies. Saying
'no' to work adds to one's insecurity. I'd got married just before that
time. My wife is from the corporate world and we thought we'd manage in
life, and here I was, opting out of a career."
Big screen offers: "Although firmly entrenched in television, I began
life as a struggler again. Knocking doors, facing rejection, being
offered bit roles, told to return to television… I experienced it all. But
the optimist in me never died. I subsequently did films like Hathyaar,
Khushi, Fiza, Footpath and Kagaar. They weren't major roles but I
thought of them as stepping-stones to something bigger. Kagaar was a very
good film. I received appreciation for it and for Footpath too."
Sheen: "Finally, I bagged Sheen, which I am looking forward to. The
film is on the Kashmiri Pandits' situation. I play a guy whom
circumstances change. A terrorist, he does not feel he is in the wrong. The role is
a powerful one although I wouldn't call it negative. Many people
advised me against doing it but I thought to myself, 'How long will I sustain
myself, doing bit roles in films.' I'm looking out for a respectable
career in films. Something like Manoj Bajpai, like Irrfan Khan today. An
actor needs footage."
Looking out for: "A good banner, good people behind it and a good role.
The promotion of a film is also important. For instance, a film I did
for Rajshri, came and went without one having an inkling about its
existence. I also lost out on a major role in Company, even though I met Ram
Gopal Varma and auditioned for the part. The tragedy was that I looked
too young for the role that ultimately went to Ajay Devgan."
TV Today?: "Although I want to totally concentrate on films, I'm not
averse to doing television. But only episodic serials where I am needed
for a four-day shooting slot. I did one recently. The thing is, if I
sign a regular serial, I'm afraid of losing out on a big film. Television
gets an actor appreciation, but it's not the same as for a big screen
star."
Tomorrow is another day: "There's a film in the offing with Raj
Babbar's son in it but it's not yet finalised. But I must recount an
experience that has given me an insight into the film world. There was a
multi-starrer that I had auditioned for. The filmmaker offered me a bit part
in it, but made it seem that it was a great one. On analysing the role I
realised that at the most I'd be in it for just a couple of scenes. I
politely refused it. The filmmaker retorted, 'So, you prefer quantity to
quality'? It hurt! Filmmakers have to remember that every actor has the
right to shape his own career. Give an actor the right to say 'no'.
Just because an actor is a struggler, he doesn't have to say 'yes' to
everything being offered to him."
Fair enough! Respect yourself, and the world will respect you! And for
folks like Anoop, the stars aren't too high. Just stretch a bit more!
And the world will be theirs!
Debate Mansion
