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Prithvi Vallabh actor Ashish Sharma is prepping up for his film Khejdi.When asked what gives him more joy acting or writing, Ashish shared, "I enjoy creating things from start. Even if I am acting, I like to be a part of the whole process since beginning, as it is essential to build up the creative world. The entire process gives me joy as it helps me grow and learn new things each time.Be it his role as a gangster in Gunahon Ka Devta, an army officer in Rangrasiya, or even a God in Siya Ke Ram, Ashish Sharma has managed to excel in all. Currently seen in Prithvi Vallabh, the actor is all set to play the titular role in upcoming film Khejdi. And he is all set to shock the world by enacting the character of a transgender in the project. The film is an adaptation of a short story Sanjha and has been penned and produced by Ashish and his wife Archana Taide. The actor recently got in an exclusive conversation with indianexpress.com to talk about the film and his other projects.
With wife Archana producing the film, the actor shared that she was indeed a hard taskmaster on sets. "Archana is a hard taskmaster and a multi-tasker unlike me, and thus it becomes easy for me to concentrate on my work as she takes care of everything else related to production. She is your true blue producer, he averred.
Talking about his experience of co-writing the film with her, Ashish shared, "When we write there is a simple structure that we follow. We first discuss the story and put our thoughts on table. She is good with building up scenes while I am good at setting up the ambience. Also, as we both are actors it becomes easy for us to map out characters. We don't go ahead with a story till we are both convinced hundred per cent with it.
The movie is an adaptation of a short film and while the couple has made few changes, they retained the essence completely. "When I read this short story, I started making a rough screenplay in my head. The original story is based in UP but I could see it in Rajasthan. That's the basic difference, other then that it's very close to the original. We have just enhanced it cinematically.There was recently a lot of buzz about him refusing to kiss his co-star Sonarika Bhadoria in Prithvi Vallabh. And now, that he is playing a transgender in the film, we asked his takes on stigmas attached to what should be presented on-screen. "At times a story needs certain things which will have an impact only if shown visually and if that is required it needs to be done. But if we show it just for titillation or grabbing eyeballs that shouldn't be the criterion. Just to clear this, you will see lot of shockers in Khejdi, he said with a smirk.
Ashish Sharma in Prithvi Vallabh.While Ashish started with films, we wondered what kept him away from the big screen for so long. He quipped with a smile, "Everything happens for a reason. I had done three films before TV happened to me but only one came out (Love Sex Aur Dhoka). TV thus prepared me so much and has given me such a brilliant standing that today, I can take the risk of producing a film myself. I've always called it paid learning as I was learning on the job. I completely owe everything I am or I will be to TV. While I was at Anupam Kher sir's acting school, he had told me once that beta kaam karte rehna chota bada kaisa bhi, kyunki kaam se kaam aata hai, ghar baithe nahi aata (Do whatever work you can, big or small, for work gets more work, sitting at home will never help).
Ashish has already ticked out TV and films and while actors are moving towards the digital medium, he has his own way of choosing projects. "I don't feel that now TV is done so let's do films; I see content not medium. If a story appeals to me I would be a part of it in whatever capacity because I like to tell stories. And indeed web has become an interesting platform to tell stories which you can't tell otherwise on other platforms. We ourselves are developing two scripts for the same. So let's see how it all pans out.
Khejdi has been selected for Kashish International Mumbai Queer Film Festival, which is South Asia's biggest LGBTQ Film Festival. The screening of the film shall be on May 24 in Mumbai.
http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/ashish-sharma-khejdi-5185139/
As he speaks to Satish Sundaresan about his Bollywood debut, his journey on the small screen and more...
There are many out there who know the versatile film maker cum actor Ashish Sharma by the characters that he has played so far. Be it the super-brooding dude in the popular Rangrasiya or the superlatively soft-spoken Lord Ram in Siya Ke Ram. Even the role that he has played in Prithvi Vallabh has become a benchmark of sorts for many others. Well, it's the very same Ashish Sharma who is now all geared up to make his silver screen debut with Khejdi, a film that touches upon the sensitive topic of transgenders. Over to you Ashish!
How would you like to describe yourself?
I think I would like to describe myself as a student of art. I just like to explore all the aspects related to art.
How did your journey in showbiz begin?
It began long ago. I would not like to call it as a journey in showbiz. I would like to call this journey as a journey where one starts creating things and start thinking about things. Ever since my childhood, I was very much inclined towards the rich and varied medium of arts. The creative urge in me towards arts was pretty much existent in me ever since I was a child. I used to write scripts for my school play and stuff like that.
What does the term cinema' mean to you?
Cinema has lot of aspects. One aspect of it is aspirational, which means taking you away from the reality and giving you the much-required breather from our date today hassles. It ensures you a fantasy life for around 3 hours. The other aspect of cinema is that it is society's mirror as well as the mirror of life.
You recently said people use cinema as an escape route. Can you elaborate?
In our day to day life, every one of us has to deal with his or her own set of problems. I would call it as a struggle to sustain in life. Amidst all this, cinema is a medium that gives you a couple of hours of escape from the problems that we face in our day to day life.
Coming to Khejdi, in which you have touched upon an extremely sensitive topic of transgenders. How did you come across the idea?
Khejdi' is basically the name of a tree which is mostly found in Rajasthan. Around five years back, my father had come across this story by a Lucknow based writer. The impact of the story was so massive that it had been playing in my head for quite some time. And when I shared the story with my wife Archana, she said that I should definitely make a film on it. That is how the whole journey began!
What role has Archana played in your life?
Besides being my wife, she is my best friend. We have an extremely transparent and an honest relationship. Professionally, she is the producer of the film and I am only concerned with the creative aspect of the film. In Khejdi, I am only an actor and writer. Rest everything has been handled by my wife.
Whose idea was it to have cameos by real-life transgenders?
It was the idea of the film's director Rohit Dwivedi. He was adamant about the fact that the film and its actors (esp the transgenders) should not look fake anywhere.
Speaking of Rohit Dwivedi, how is he as a director?
He is a great person to work with. He had directed me in Rab Se Sona Ishq. Post that, we became very close friends. I had shared the film's script with him long time back and he got really excited about the same. Rohit has this mad streak of creativity and film making in him. It's his film all the way!
Were you not apprehensive about making your big screen debut with such a sensitive topic?
To tell you the truth, I was not at all apprehensive about making my big screen debut with this film.
Khejdi got showcased at the Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival'. How did it feel?
It's just the start... a very beautiful start! Kashish' is South Asia's biggest LGBT festival and not many know about it.
After Arun Govil, many looked up to you as Lord Ram. Recently we came across a sizzling photoshoot of your and your wife. How did your fans react to this?
I think when we did the photoshoot, the image that I was carrying of Ram was almost out. As a matter of fact, nobody had that kind of hang up about my image. In the same breath, let me also add that we got rave reviews and a very encouraging response for the photoshoot. Even though it was bold, still, it was aesthetic.
These days many TV actors are making inroads in Bollywood. What do you have to say about this?
The thin line that divided films and television has vanished. Almost every big film star is doing something or the other on TV these days. I think that the whole trend of west is catching up now. Its good time for the talents to be around as the mediums like TV or films do not matter anymore.
Anupamaa
