TAHIR RAJ BHASIN opens up, about recreating history in 83 and the line of forthcoming projects he’s looking forward to, in a candid conversation with Khushbu Kirti
It is, indeed, a great start of the year for Bollywood star Tahir Raj Bhasin. The actor not only showed his acting prowess with the recently released 83, but also showcases a promising line-up of films and shows.
Bhasin garnered a lot of appreciation for his role as the Little Master. From playing an antagonist in Mardaani and Force 2, he has embarked now on a romantic journey with his forthcoming lead roles.
Read on for excerpts from an interview about his experience in 83 and more:
83 has been highly appreciated by audience. More so, because it evokes nostalgia of a great event in Indian cricket history.
Do you feel drawn to the history?
Yes, 100 per cent. I mean, the decision to do 83 was an emotional one. It wasn't an actor's decision. Only because of the nostalgic value. And when I read the script, I had goosebumps. And the thought that I had was that this is the feeling that it's going to leave the audience with. Do I want to be a part of the team that brought the audience that feeling? Of course.
When they said you're going to be Sunil Gavaskar, it was a no brainer. I definitely relate to the nostalgia, the wholesome feeling that the film leaves you with. And the fact that, you know, I wasn't born in 83, but I felt like I have grown up with it as a part of my history. So to be able to represent it for a whole new generation was just a once in a lifetime opportunity.
How was it acting in a period piece?
The first thing that you have to get used to when you're dealing with a period piece is the language. There are certain words that you don't use, there are certain mannerisms which are very modern. Now, technology has had a huge influence in how we connect, so you try and avoid those. And the challenge really, very deeply, was not only is it a period film, but you're recreating history.
So, you know that there are two things that this country is crazy about — one is film and the other one is cricket. And when you try and combine both of them, there is going to be, you know, judgement there. There are going to be comparisons. The challenge is to overcome those.
This is the second time you play a cricketer after Kai Po Che. Do you have an affinity for the game and do you play?
No, you know, that's just an ironic coincidence. I'm not from a cricketing background. In Kai Po Che, it was just one shot. So that was just like a one day shoot.
But it's funny how life has come full circle, because in that film, I was an opener for the Indian team then. And Sunil Gavaskar was opening in 83 (laughs).
You portrayed the role of the Little Master. What were some parts of the role you loved and some challenges you faced?
I'm sure the challenge really was how to play cricket like him (chuckles) and how to make your physicality similar. You need to know how to exactly walk onto the field, how to wear the gloves, how to smile, all of that. That involves watching a lot of archived footage, trying to pinpoint what mannerisms are breaking them down, watching them in slow motion.
And as far as the cricketing was concerned, we had Balwinder Singh Sandhu, who was part of the original cricket team in 1983, who was with us as our coach and he had his cricket associate, Rajiv Mehra.
What I really did was I broke the strokes down like a sports choreography. One cricket stroke was broken down into four or five moves and I would practise that week after week because I was not from a cricket background. And then ultimately, like a choreography, put all the dance moves together and get the cricket strokes and the walk and the gloves and, and all of that, right.
And, the dramatic challenge was that Sunil Gavaskar was the most experienced and the senior most player in the team, but in real life, all the actors were the same age. So, to bring out a persona, who is slightly more mature, slightly more reserved, a little more experienced, especially in the conflict scene with the party, was challenging. I was so fortunate that there were celebrated actors all around me whether it was Ranveer or whether it was Pankaj sir. That only brings out the best in you as an actor.
The biggest reward or validation was when Sunil sir himself watched the film at the premiere. When I hugged him, he told me he saw himself in the part I played. And after that, no other feedback really mattered.
Watching the film was a lot of fun. The team would joke around with each other. How was shooting like?
It was incredible fun! The best part about doing a film like this is that you come back with shared memories. You’ve made a bond for life.
I mean, this isn't fiction. This is really how it was for the team in ‘83. That, no matter what the dynamic was, whether they were winning or losing, when they were on field, they were all part of one team, and they were playing for India.
How real was all of this?
I’d say, all of it! The only dramatised aspect of the film was, you know, when you have music coming in, and when you put dramatised slow motion shots. But all of it, even the scene with with the soldiers, the fact that there were riots going on in parts of the country, all of it is real. And I think, that's the great thing about having a director like Kabir Khan because he's so well researched with a subject and also to have such a large star cast and everyone is an established star in their own respective fields, to give each player and each moment its due time in the ensemble is really an act of genius.
Tell us about your new shows, Ranjish Hi Sahi on Voot Select and Ye Kaali Kaali Aankhein on Netflix, both releasing in January.
This is also a period drama, based in the 70s. It was created by Mahesh Bhatt and every time there’s a Bhatt love story, he blurs the lines between what is and what is not socially acceptable. It’s a love triangle between who the director, Shankar, is married to at the time and a diva.
I’ve also been blown away by the reaction that the audience had had towards Ye Kaali Kaali Ankhein’s teaser. The series starts off as a romantic drama but progresses into a psychological thriller. Vikrant is the name of my character.
Entering into the love space is very exciting. It’s a hat trick for romance with the above two and Looop Lapeta a little later in the year.
What is one difference you've felt working for OTT shows/films and theatre?
The great thing about OTT that it gives you the length to explore a character in a story more than a feature film.
To be able to jump genres like that in Ye Kaali Kaali Ankhein — that is incredible for the craft.