‘I Want To Do Good Work and Balance It With Living Life’

The seasoned actor, who plays the morally ambiguous hero of the upcoming Pulkit directorial Kartavya, talks about the challenges and rewards of portraying a character who is outside his comfort zone, the high points of his film journey, and more.

Excerpts:

Q Kartavya gives you the opportunity to assume a character completely alien to you. How deep within yourself did you have to delve to reach the core of Pavan?

It is a character that is a little alien culturally. There are many nuances you can bring to a role that you have experience of in real life. But it’s difficult, unless you know what you’re talking about. I suppose this is where the director comes in. If the director knows the world, then he can make it much easier. And my director, Pulkit, really does. So all credit to him in that sense. But, of course, ultimately, it’s you playing it. And that is the most unique thing about it. So you play yourself in those circumstances.

Q What was your reaction to the offer of this rustic, morally-challenged character?

Because I did Omkara, I still get offers which are a little different and rustic. I really enjoy it. I really liked Pulkit’s script. It’s real and a good hero's role. It’s about all kinds of pressures that this character faces at work and with his family. He eventually has to keep making these choices about how he’s going to get out of the mess, which is what makes an interesting film. It’s a moral tale with a soul in jeopardy. Which side does my character end up on? Is he one of the good guys or does he succumb to the bad side? Films with moral ambiguity are the best kind of stories. When this came to me, I instantly said yes.

Q Would you agree Kartavya is your most challenging character since Omkara?

No, it wasn’t the most challenging role. I think the accent takes a bit of work, but I’ve done it before. If you keep doing anything for long enough, you get better and better, hopefully. Being in the moment is always the hardest part for me. I find the more I apply my mind and the more time I give to rehearse and practice, the better I am. Hopefully, people will like it.

Q What is your advice to your eldest son?

My advice to Ibrahim is to work hard and to keep trying to improve. It’s a very competitive and you have to keep your head down and keep going.

Q At this juncture of your life, what do you want the most?

What I want right now in life is more of the same. I just I want to do good work and balance it with living my life with my family and friends, and travel. Life has been very good to me. I feel blessed to be in this space and I would like it to continue.