Fourteen-year-old Rudra Soni talks to Rachita Malhotra about playing the lead in Sony’s upcoming show Peshwa Bajirao
How was it working with Ranveer Singh in Bajirao MastaniIJ
Ranveer is very friendly and down to earth and I felt good working with him though I had a very small role in the movie. I also had one line which they had to cut in the end, but I was supposed to give few reactions which I gave in one take itself.
How do you manage your studies with your acting scheduleIJ
I am in Class VII. It’s easy to manage studies as the director is very flexible with my timings. He tells me that he will take my shoot first and then other’s. I complete my shoot and go for studies then.
“Jo hathi nahi, woh Marathi nahi”. Do you relate to this dialogue in real lifeIJ
I am not that stubborn in real life as the Peshwa is in the serial.
You wear complicated Marathi attire as Peshwa. how does it feelIJ
It felt odd in the beginning. I have never worn this type of dhothi-kurta. But now it’s fine. It’s become a habit.
What are your career plansIJ
I am open to acting and looking forward to doing movies and serials. But if my acting career doesn’t shape up, I would want to be a doctor or an engineer.
How did you get this serialIJ
There were about 150 child artists for audition. The casting team was impressed by my performance and said, ‘he is the only one who will play this role, his expressions are good’. My father refused initially as I was also doing Baal Veer on SAB TV. but when they offered flexible dates, he agreed.
Did you train for the action and war scenes in the serialIJ
Yes, I learnt horse-riding and am taking fencing classes. Earlier, I was afraid of horses, but now I am pretty comfortable with them.
You met Ranveer Singh on the sets of Super Dancer recently. Did he give you any tips for your serialIJ
Yes, he congratulated me for getting this role and said jokingly: “Ab toh Bajirao Mastani 2 mein tu hi kaam kariyo, main Jagga Jasoos 2 mein chalaa jaunga. (You doBajirao Mastani 2 and I will shift toJagga Jassos 2”.