Gurmeet Choudhury who has acted in a handful of TV serials, including Geet Hui Sabse Parayi, makes a debut with Mukesh Bhatt’s Khamoshiyaan. He speaks with Deebashree Mohanty about how he always wanted to become an actor and how Bhatt’s wife recommended his name for the film. Choudhury also says that his wife Deblina will be a part of every film that he does
Was it a conscious decision to land up as an actorIJ
It wont be wrong if I said it was my bachpan ki khwaish to become an actor! Of course at that time, I thought it was the easiest job in the planet. I had no idea itne papad belne padengey. But now that I am here, I feel happy and content.
How did the first break happen and why TVIJ
I come from an Army background and my family moved to Mumbai when I was only 10 years old. Since then I had this acting bug which would take me to places like the Yash Raj studios and to Jannat and even Jalsa. I have heard people bunking classes to watch movies or go on a date but I have missed school because I wanted to sit outside the home of a superstar and keep imagining things. Finally, after a year of waiting outside the YRF studios, I met Yashji and told him that I too wanted to become an actor. He said — ‘you have a bright future but you must start from something smaller’. He advised me to take up roles on TV and then gradually get into Bollywood. He had said; ‘Shahrukh se bada example kya haiIJ’ That was my inspiration to take up TV.
You started as Ram but it was Geet Hui Sabse Parayi that made you TV’s hottest dude. How was that journeyIJ
I was particular that I wouldn't take up projects for the heck of it. I was in this profession not to earn big bucks but to make a solid mark for myself. So, I chose roles carefully and turned down many offers which I thought could typecast me. I may have done only a handful of shows on TV but in each one I had a different get-up for which I worked very hard. As Ram, I had to put on some bulk because he was the antaryami king. As Mann in Geet Hui..., I had a lean look with a stubble to match with my arrogant attitude and again as Yash in Punarvivah, I tried something different. It worked in my favour.
Is this what attracted Mukesh Bhatt towards giving you a role in KhamoshiyanIJ
(laughs) I don’t think Mukesh Bhatt has ever seen me on TV but I owe my debut role to his wife. I am told that his wife used to watch my shows and had asked Mukesh sir to give me a break in films. I met Mukeshji in South Africa where I was awarded with the Best Actor (TV) Award. Mohit Suri gave me the award and Mukeshji came up to me and said ‘you really have talent. Meet me when we get back’. I did and I bagged this role. It’s like a fairytale in the making.
Many TV actors have made the switch but only a few have made progress. Are you apprehensiveIJ
I think the move has to be done smartly. You cannot and should not jump at offers just because you want to be a part of the film industry. I was very clear in my head that my debut has to be with a big banner and I am glad I waited for it. Khamoshiyan has received a very positive reaction and my phone is flooded with congratulatory messages. So, I think I am doing good.
Is it the right genre for you to start off withIJ
I would have loved to do a romantic film as a debut but this is as good. A thriller always gets out the best in any actor and I am hoping that my audience will like me in this avatar too.
Is your wife, Deblina also a part of this filmIJ
I have promised her that she will be a part of every movie that I do, so yes she has a special cameo in Khamoshiyaan too and she is super thrilled about it. As far as I can, I am going to see to it that Deblina also gets a role in the movies.