Talktime | Rahul Bhatt
Having shot into fame with Anurag Kashyap’s Ugly, Bhatt is back with three big banner films in his kitty. The busy actor is shooting for projects like Aur Devdas, Fitoor and Gangaajal 2. He tells SANGEETA YADAV that he is having the time of his life and is all set for Prakash Jha’s Gangaajal 2
How is Gangaajal 2 shaping upIJ
It’s at the pre-production stage and workshops are going on in full swing. The first part was a big hit and we have set the bar higher for the sequel. In this version, I play an important role of a hindi heartland man. It is a challenge from the very beginning. I have to get everything in order - from the body language to the accent and dialogue delivery. I also have to work on my look and mannerisms. In short, I have to live in my character’s shoes for the entire duration of the shooting. We begin shooting for this film in Bhopal from May 3 onwards.
How was it working with Prakash JhaIJ
Prakash Jha is known for his different sensibilities. He doesn't make a movie unless he believes in that subject. I have a lot of respect for Prakashji because he knows how to blend art in commercial cinema. He is a class act. Prakashji’s strength lies in the treatment he gives to all his movies. He deals with real issues and gives them an interesting tweak. I felt overwhelmed when Prakashji offered this role to me. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I grabbed it with open arms. Hopefully the audience will accept me in this role.
You have worked with popular directors like Anurag Kashyap, Sudhir Mishra and Abhishek Kapoor. How does that make you feelIJ
I have not spent many years in the entertainment industry so, it feels fantastic to have worked with such acclaimed directors so early on in my career. I have learnt a lot from each of those directors. Whether it’s Anurag Kashyap in Ugly, Sudhir Mishra in Aur Devdas, Abhishek Kapoor in Fitoor or my next movie with Prakash Jha in Gangaajal 2, I’ve got to play a different shade in each film. In Ugly, it was a very wired look. I play an edgy character in Aur Devdas and in Fitoor, I am a Pakistani man belonging to the elite class. Now in Gangaajal 2, I play a Hindi heartland guy. I want the audience to have distinct image of me in every film. No one likes to be typecast into a certain kind of a role. But I was fortunate to have worked with veteran directors who were my mentors in the true sense.
Were you nervous about acting in such big ticket releasesIJ
I’m an actor and we are supposed to feel nervous before every film. Otherwise the enthusiasm is lost. More than nervousness, I think it is nervous energy that keeps me going.
Initial days at a shoot locale is all about exploring and marking your territory. Once that is done, you feel well settled. The next phase of nervousness happens when the movie is about to release. That is pure anticipation. It happens to everyone - young or old.
How are you managing shooting for three films at the same timeIJ
It’s a huge task and very challenging but I’m not complaining about it. I’m very happy that I’m busy doing meaningful work. Right now, Aur Devdas, Fitoor and Gangaajal 2 is keeping me so occupied that I don’t have a single day for myself.
We’ve left with some days of shoots for Fitoor and Aur Devdas. After that, I’ll begin shoot only for Gangaajal 2.