|
 Tell
us about your background, your family...
Well, I was born and brought up in Nainital,
my family is based there. I grew up on a farm, actually, and
it was really interesting. In fact, when we used to go to
town, we would be so fascinated, there were so many people,
it was all so different from our place. It was busy and crowded
and fun.
So, no showbiz background?
No, not at all, my family is into agriculture!
I have a younger brother, he's studying in Delhi at the moment.
But we had no connection with showbiz at all.
Moving from Nainital
to Mumbai must have been a huge leap...
Actually, I moved to Chandigarh first,
to do my graduation. Then, later, I went to Pune to do my
post-grad, I did an MBA there. So the move was pretty gradual.
From MBA to modelling,
that must have been a huge jump...
Yeah, it was. But actually, I started
modelling while I was in Chandigarh, you know, college shows
and stuff. Then, in 1999, I decided to participate in the
Gladrags Manhunt, and when I became first runner-up, that's
when I thought about doing it seriously.
So did you just move
to Mumbai one fine day looking for work?
Actually, I finished my MBA and I was
trying to figure out what to do, and I thought Mumbai would
be the best place to go. By then, I already knew some fashion
people because of the Gladrags Manhunt, so when I got to Mumbai,
I got in touch with them. I didn't really have to look a lot
for work, I started getting shows quite easily. After that,
commercials happened and later I did some music videos. I
didn't really have to struggle for work, but yeah, I did work
hard.
 And
then Bollywood struck?!
Actually, a friend of mine had introduced
me to Mr Prakash Jha almost a year-and-a-half ago, but I had
forgotten about it, because nothing happened. Then one day
last year he called out of the blue and said I might have
something for you, so I went to see him, and it all worked
out. He narrated the script and I just loved it! I was already
into acting classes and stuff, so it was just the right timing.
Your family must
have really freaked at the jump in careers...
(Laughs) Oh, actually, I didn't even tell
them that I was going to Mumbai just to pursue modelling.
I had just finished my MBA, so I told them that I was going
to Mumbai to look for a job, and that I would also continue
modelling. When I got there, I chucked up the job hunt!
Now that you've done
both, which do you prefer, modelling or films?
Oh, I like both, they're both completely
different in some ways and then similar in some ways. In the
beginning it was tough, because modelling is so quick, it's
instant, it's like 30 seconds and then whoosh, it's done.
Movies are different, they are slower, they take time. The
director lets you take time with each shot. I slowly and slowly
learned to, well, slow down. Also, in modelling, you need
to be loud in your expressions, because you're not talking.
But in acting, you need to speak, so you have to balance the
expressions with the dialogue.
The common impression
is that most models can't act...
Actually, I haven't faced that at all,
because there are already a lot of models doing very well
for themselves now. Yeah, people start slotting you, but people
like Rahul Dev and Sanjay Suri have proved themselves, they're
doing good, so it has become easier...
Most actors start
out with the typical action/romance roles. You play a father
in your first film, Rahul. That couldn't have been an easy
decision...
Oh, I think I've been the luckiest one,
actually, because right from my first film I will have the
opportunity to be recognised as an actor. This role has all
the shades an actor could want from a role. My character is
that of a sensitive and intense guy. I've totally enjoyed
doing the role, I think it's the ideal way to start.
Why do all models eventually turn to
acting? I mean,
what does acting give you that modelling doesn't?
Well, I like both, but yeah, most models
after a while do turn to acting. See, one of the most important
reasons is the growth factor-after you've been modelling for
a while, this is the logical place to go. Also, through acting
you can reach out to larger audiences than through modelling.
And both fields are related, they're not completely different
from each other.
Do you think actors
are born or made? What's more important: talent or training?
It's subjective. Becoming a successful
actor is a combination of a whole lot of factors. You need
skill and talent, definitely, but you also need to be polished,
so it helps to be trained. Also, when you take acting classes
and stuff, you become comfortable with the whole process,
so that helps. But of course, you need one other thing-luck-the
right break!
To you, what is the
single most challenging thing about acting?
Basically, the fact that it's an involuntary
act-you need to do what the role demands, though it may not
come naturally. Also, you need an eye for detail-what would
this character do, how would he behave... You have to become
the character to make it look real. The smiling, the dancing,
that anyone can do, but the attention to detail is what's
tough, that is what takes time.
What was your first
experience in front of the camera like?
The first time I faced the camera while
modelling, it felt natural-I was comfortable, not conscious
at all. That was because during the Gladrags Manhunt, we had
been facing the camera and had got kind of used to it. But
on the first day of the movie shoot I was really nervous.
It stayed for 2-3 days, but after that I got used to it.
Do you prefer ramp
or still modelling?
Both appeal to me for different reasons.
Ramp modelling is great because you get instant feedback from
the audience, you build a rapport. In still modelling, the
technique becomes important. Also, you can take time to deliver
just the right expression.
How does it feel
to see yourself on screen?
It's a strange feeling, yaar. I look at
almost every scene and think, 'Oh I could have done that better'.
But all actors feel that, I suppose. Of course, this movie
was such a good experience, the emotions and sentiments expressed
in the movie are just great.
|
