Q. You switched your education from science to commerce then finally you switched to arts. Then you joined a flying school to become a pilot. It seems that you do a lot of experimentation with your life. Is that it?
A. Yes I like that, I like that [laughs]. I started with science, after that I joined a flying school. While I was doing flying school, I had classes from seven in the morning till ten. I was free for the rest of the time and so my mother asked me, “Why don’t you don’t join the college again to complete your studies?” So I joined commerce classes in the afternoon after my flying school, which I didn’t particularly enjoy too much because I am not from the background of economics and accounts. I just don’t understand accounts, so I moved to arts after giving up on commerce and flying. The answer of your question is, I was trying and testing new things. I went to different education fields, I also applied for hotel management schools, I worked as an architect and I also joined a call center. I was just trying to find myself. I like to try different things until I am completely satisfied with myself.
Q. How did Bollywood happen?
A. So basically I come from a family with a film background. Dev Anand was my father’s uncle and if you see my extended family we have a lot of cameramen, sound recorders, directors. During this search for trying different things with my life, I heard about an audition of a show called Hip Hip Hurray and the director of the show was a very good friend of my uncle’s. My aunt came and told me that there is a friend of ours who is launching a new television show and she is looking for a completely new face: “You are a good-looking boy,” she said, “you might do well in the show, see how it works, you can give it a try.” So this is how I was told to go for the audition I didn’t want to attend. To be honest with you, I was thinking that it was something which I would not enjoy. But my aunt is like “You must try!”, so I went for it and the next thing I know, I was cast for the show. Since I was from a family with a film background, my parents never imposed things on me. I was free to make my choices and
my entry in the industry was very sudden.
The most impactful time of my journey was definitely when I started my career with Hip Hip Hurray — it was a show I did with no expectation. That was a time when there was no internet, there was no understanding as to what kind of audiences we were touching and who are watching you.
Q. You started your career as an actor with the television show Hip Hip Hurray; you also anchored many reality shows on television and apart from this you have made your presence felt on the big screen too. Which do you like most out of all of these formats?
A. Different phases of my life and these are different things which I enjoyed. For me, many things at a particular time seem a lot of fun and when you grow a little out of them, you start looking for something else. And as you know, that I had tried many things in my life. I get bored of things; I try something new all the time. I have been in a career that requires me to be a different character every few months. It keeps me entertained and busy. For the time being, I enjoy what I am doing. Right now I really enjoy the show P.O.W and I never thought that I would enjoy doing television so much. Apart from hard work, pressure, long shifts — I am enjoying the pace of it.
Q. You have had quite the journey — from being a VJ and TV actor to acting in films. How has your journey been so far and what is the fondest memory you want to share with us?
A. The most impactful time of my journey was definitely when I started my career with Hip Hip Hurray — it was a show I did with no expectation. That was a time when there was no internet, there was no understanding as to what kind of audiences we were touching and who are watching you. Five thousand a month I was making — and that is all the satisfaction I needed. That is definitely a big landmark in my life. Afterwards, the next big stepping stone probably, Bas Yuhin, my first feature film, was released. It was off-beat and urban — nice kind of cinema. It set such a strong impression that the director of the film was not convinced that I was the right person for this film. It was a very important part of my journey because it introduced me to new things. At that time, I was not very serious about my acting career. 2005 was a turning point. My Brother…Nikhil happened then. It was a fantastic movie and I played a role which was appreciated by the people in the industry. It was a film that made me decide that this is what I really wanted to do. I wanted to live my dreams. Then there was Rock On!! in 2008, my biggest success. Everyone loved my role and suddenly I was considered for lead roles in big movies. After Rock On!! there was a time in 2009 which was a little low in terms of the kind of films I did. After a stretch of time in 2014, Jal was another stepping stone of my acting life. Jal didn’t do well at the box office but it made me more mature as an actor. In 2015, I did Airlift and now POW and Rock On!! 2.
Q. How difficult is it for real talent to get recognized in Bollywood?
A. I think this business that gives importance to commercial collection. I mean if a film does well than you will also be noticed in the industry. You will be noticed if the film is noticed. But naturally, everyone is trying to make films and trying to sell their films. If you have done well in some previous film, it will definitely helps you for your future casting. I had done many small films which were appreciated by many people. Talent getting noticed is one thing but reaching out to audiences is the most important thing and the most important part is the medium. Which I began to understand quite late but finally I know that reaching out to people is the biggest task when there is so much available to watch.
Q. After two years, you are making a comeback to television with Nikhil Advani’s Prisoner Of War (P.O.W): Bandi Yuddh Ke, an Indian political thriller. Could you talk about this series a little?
A. This series is a remake of Hatufim which is an Israeli television drama show and it deals with prisoners of war — it is about reuniting them with their families. So it’s really about two prisoners who spend 17 years in captivity and about the conditions they have to face. And they come back to their families after 17 years and reintegrating with them and dealing with all sorts of emotions and especially the flash back of what they had suffered. Eventually, this is the idea of the story. It has many characters with full of drama and emotions.
Q. Tell us something about your role in this show. Did you do any special preparations for the same?
A. The character I play is Sartaj Singh — he is one of the prisoners who came back after 17 years. He is someone who hasn’t seen the face of his wife because on the night of his wedding the war breaks out. He would reunite with her only after 17 years and he has to deal with the separation. Sartaj has faced a lot; he is a part of the Sikh regiment. He is a sardar and he was tortured by having his hair cut in the enemy’s camp. For this role I had to understand the character of Sartaj Singh not only mentally but also physically because he goes through a lot. He was totally a different character from who I am so I had to understand the body language of his as well. I had to understand the Army and the training of officers and being a part of the Sikh regiment; I had to understand the way of living of these people and how they feel for their country.
Q. Tell us about your character in your upcoming movie Rock On!! 2.
A. K.D. — “Killer Drummer” — is the character that brings the flavour from Rock On!! to Rock On!! 2. His love and passion for music, friends and live performances keep the spirit of Rock On!! 2 alive.
Q. What are your upcoming projects?
A. So after Rock On!! 2 and P.O.W. there will be Sense 8 — a show which I will do for Netflix, its second season is finishing early next year. They have not fixed the date yet. Then there will be Noor in April with Sonakshi Sinha.