Theatre and film actor Vivaan Shah believes the only way to sustain in Bollywood is to keep working hard. By Ankita Jain
He stresses that his identity is something that the public, and not he, decides for him. The 27-year-old Vivaan Shah, son of actors Naseruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, grew popular with his roles in Happy New Year and Bombay Velvet. And he realises his body of work is too small for him to talk about a particular image. “The situation is more of a film and an opportunity choosing me now,” he says.
Talking about his latest film laali Ki Shaadi Mein laddoo Deewana, Vivaan accepts that he is being typecast as a chocolaty boy-next-door and all he wants to do is break that image and assert that he is capable of doing all types of roles. “After Happy New Year, I was offered similar roles. But what pulled me towards this one is the character of the dishonest lad.”
“I play a small-town boy who comes to Baroda to work as a waiter in a cafe. There, he gets intrigued by a regular customer played by Akshara Haasan, who seems to be very rich. The story deals with our preconceived notions and our insecurities,” he chips in.
Digital Platform
Vivaan is excited about Sarabhai vs Sarabhai which is returning with its digital edition. He also gives a hint that there might be a new twist to the story. “Since the platform chosen is digital, the story may be youth centric. But I am as eager as any of the Sarabhai vs Sarabhai fan for the return of the show and Maya Sarabhai. After all I have grown up watching it,” he quips. Why a digital platformIJ “I believe the number of viewers is larger in this platform as compared to the television. And the makers want to have maximum reach,” he explains.
Beyond films
When not acting in films, theatre, something he grew up with, keeps him occupied most of the time. “I have been doing theatre with my father since childhood. When I joined him after completing my studies, it was a wonderful experience. I got to learn so much from him,” he states.
“Comedy of Horrors was the last play I directed. I was waiting for a right opportunity to strike my way for the play. It’s absolute hard work grooming yourself well with literature, art and cinema,” Vivaan states.
He went through a lot to direct plays. “These days, you see everybody wanting to become a playwright or a director. And it’s not easy, mind you! I’m very grateful I have been able to get such opportunities,” Vivaan just can’t stop gushing.
When Naseruddin Shah entered Bollywood, he carved his identity with several cult roles, but looking at the mainstream cinema today, there are less opportunities in that genre. In that case, is there much pressure to prove your acting skillsIJ “It’s true, such roles are rare now but I believe, the only way to sustain is to show talent, and even if you have a family name to support you initially, you have to keep working hard to make a name in the film industry.
The genes factor
Seeing his profile, the bust of talent he’s housed with, you can’t deny the genes he’s inherited from his parents and some from his brother Imaad Shah, an actor and a musician too.
“My mother has a very great ideology; I consider her valuable principles that she has taught me especially treading on the path of honesty, working hard irrespective of the results. She has inculcated a very simple and valuable ethical ideology into us all children. In short her philosophy of life is Gandhian.”
As far as father Naseeruddin Shah is concerned, Vivaan wants to imbibe his mannerisms and learn the tricks of the acting trade. “From him I have inherited his style which seems to be very unique. He lends his mannerisms, which are simple yet extremely appealing, to his characters as well. I am learning the craft from him. Even today the variations that he presents in every character of his are admirable. He also often shares his struggle period as he doesn’t belong from Mumbai.”
Vivaan feels more responsible to succeed. The conversations in his home and the dinner table don’t necessary revolve around films though none of them shy away from analysing the other’s works.
He hasn’t undergone the grind in theatre and films in any popular training school. “It’s the surroundings that have fed me more intricacies of filmmaking, acting,” he knows.
Working with big names
Moreover, the three largescale films he’s done to date have had the involvement of Anurag Kashyap, Vishal Bhardwaj and Farah Khan. Getting to work with them so early in his career was such a high and he’s grateful for every moment that he got to spend on those sets.
“I got to learn a lot about the craft with the makers. All the three have different methods in ensuring their results. The range of it all was extremely fulfilling.” Vivaan’s gleam of satisfaction in his voice, says enough.
Experts talk a lot of how theatre and cinema are quite different, but Vivaan is yet to recognise it. “Theatre is more continuous, intimate and you must still carry on when you make mistakes. Cinema is technical and gives you another chance. But, otherwise, I am yet to wake up to any marked distinction between the two,” he avers.
Chocolaty boy-next-door
The actor sports a boyish charm on his face though he may not acknowledge it. He’s quite cool about it as he replies, “I’ll leave it to others to keep analysing things and say about me.” All that works in his mind and he’s immediately conscious about is doing quality work in both theatre and cinema.