On his recent visit to Kanpur actor Sudesh Berry talks to us about his career, his son Suraj and more... From the boxing ring to the silver screen
An ardent boxer, Sudesh's father made him leave the sport when he was
knocked out by an opponent in a bout. "I used to participate in boxing
championships while in college. Once during a championship my opponent
knocked me down hard and I fainted and when my father came to know about
it he asked me to quit boxing. Though it was a tough decision but I
left it. One day a friend of mine took me to a an acting workshop and I
quite liked it. So, I got involved in dramatics and then I joined IPTA. I
did plays for a while and then I started getting offers for films and
went on to do big ones like Vansh, Yudhpath, Border and LOC Kargil. In
fact, you will be surprised to know that Aamir Khan, Sunny Deol and
Ashutosh Gowarikar were also in the same college," says Berry.
ALSO READ: Sudesh Berry: I don't need to slap or kiss people to get work People think I am a snob
Berry, who has an image of a snob in the industry, says he is not like
that in real life. "People in the industry think that I am arrogant.
They feel that I would reject their projects. I agree that I can reject
the offers as an actor but I am neither a snob nor arrogant. I do only
those projects in which I feel satisfied as an actor. In my career I
have rejected approximately 200 films but I don't repent it because I
feel that I should only do those roles which offer me an opportunity to
provide some new stuff to the audiences. In future as well, I would only
accept roles which satisfy me as well as the audiences. I am a person
who is in love with himself and I love living in a cocoon. That's why
people think I am a snob and arrogant. In fact, I am a person who does
things in the name of friendship. The latest of such a 'yaarbaazi' is
that I jumped twice from an elephant while playing Dhrupad in Mahabharat
because the producers are good friends of mine and they wanted a shot
in which Dhrupad was required to jump from an elephant. Without giving a
second thought I jumped to give a perfect shot for my friends' serial,"
says the 55-year-old actor.
My son impressed me with his acting
With his son Suraj also following in his footsteps, Berry is a proud
father. "Suraj will be making his Bollywood debut soon with Ekta
Kapoor's film titled The Little Godfather. I was really impressed with
his acting skills. After seeing his work, I asked him when he had
learned acting and he said that he is a born actor. His reply reminded
me of my days as a youngster as I also used to feel that I am a born
actor and I don't need to make any special efforts to portray any role,"
says Berry proudly.
I am happy with my slow career speed
Happy with the way his career has shaped, Sudesh says he is a content
man. "I have worked with actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay
Devgn and many more, but I feel that my attitude towards life is that of
a tortoise. SRK ran as a rabbit and has achieved huge success but I am
happy with what I have today. The makers of Darr wanted to take me for
the same role that was played by Shah Rukh Khan but somehow, I did not
do the film. I strongly believe in destiny and I feel that only God can
plan your life. That's why I take life as it comes," concludes Berry
