On the sets of the upcoming show Ek Maa Jo Lakhon Ke Liye Bani Amma, in Hyderabad, the lungi-clad Aman Verma has your attention. The actor will essay the role of a don on the show. He joins us for a chat about his new assignment. In a no-holds-barred conversation, the actor makes some startling revelations. Excerpts:
Iconic actors like Mehmood have played South Indians umpteen times, and left a lasting impression. How are you looking to explore the role of a South Indian don in the show?
Mehmood did a fantastic job when it came to playing a South Indian but his roles were more of a caricature. I am trying to get away from that mould and make it look realistic. Also, the character that I am playing in the show is something that nobody in the TV industry has essayed so far.
Your marriage to Vandana Lalwani has been postponed because of a personal tragedy. Have you set a new date for the wedding?
We are still trying to get out of the tragedy that has happened. Whenever we finalise a date, we shall let you know.
You started with a bang with films like Baghban but somehow things haven’t been looking very promising for you on the Bollywood front. Does the situation alarm you?
Baghban, I felt, was one of my biggest mistakes, honestly because I played the role of a man who already had a grown-up daughter. I was 31 years old at that time and I was playing a dad to Rimi Sen. That made people think that I was in my 40s. Eventually, everything that started coming to me after that were roles of fathers to grown ups. Even though I was skeptical, I couldn’t say no to Baghban because I was very close to Ravi Chopra. Secondly, the fact that it was with Mr Bachchan also made me sign up for it. I told Ravi to make me the younger son but he wanted me as the eldest son.
You have been pretty notorious for your infamous temper but looks like you have sobered down. How did you manage to achieve the impossible?
I wish I had this calm mind when I had come to Mumbai about 18 years ago. It would have worked wonders for me at that time. But I was volatile at that time. Had I been always like this, I would have been in a different space altogether.
Given your not-so-successful stint in Big Boss, would you still consider doing a reality show if you are approached?
There is lot more to me than getting on a reality show. How you behave matters as it shows the background, the culture and the family you come from. Reality shows work for a short while. I have a lot more things to achieve so I can show that people love me, for my work and not for my stints in reality shows.
