When the most awaited Sanju hit the screens recently, the critics and intelligentsia were surprised to see the performance of the 30-year-old Vicky Kaushal, who has steadily proven that he has the ability to be a scene-stealer. With four releases so far — Love Per Square Foot and Lust Stories (Karan Johar’s short) on Netflix, Raazi and Sanju on the big screen; and Anurag Kashyap’s Manmarziyan in post-production — 2018 has been creatively satisfying for the dynamic actor who got candid with TMM while juggling between looks for the cover shoot of the August issue.
Academically you are an engineer. But then you did theatre and landed up in cinema, how do you define all this as an intra-personal relation?
I believe in organic growth and journey at large. And that’s what I have been doing in my life to date. I am not a planner, I follow my own conscience. I had a very normal childhood that included sports, studies and other co-curricular activities. Then, I took up engineering because I was good at mathematics. And before cinema came into my life, I had my first job appointment letter in hand. I guess my calling was somewhere else. In July 2009, I enrolled for a six-month acting course and from there, things changed in my life. As a professional I have a philosophy- ‘Give more than 100 percent in your present, so that the future is beyond your imagination.’
Your father was an action director. How was it for you as a growing kid? Was joining the film industry the first thing that came to your mind?
Never, ever! My father never brought films to the dining table. And it was his upbringing that as a kid I was never fascinated to visit film sets, meet stars or getting clicked with them. For me, his job was like any other job and the credit goes to him that he never made his job a point of discussion at home.
You have been the lead and supporting actor too. What is more challenging and why?
I guess the challenge is not dependent on the length of the character, but on the transitions that the character demands. To be precise, it all depends how far or close you relate to the character as an individual. As the lead, of course, that extra pressure is on you, but then the same rule applies to it too.
When it comes to a character, what all preparation you go through?
It’s a full circle. First of all, you need to empty your cup and surrender yourself to the director’s vision. Once that is done, then comes the external preparations that include- physique, language, and expressions of the character. Next step involves understanding the emotions that the character demands. Lastly, you visit the set and then again surrender yourself to the director to paint the character on the celluloid.
How did Sanju happen to you?
Before I began shooting for Love Per Square Foot, Rajkumar Hirani called me to his office and appreciated my work in Masaan and told me about a film he was working on and about a friend of the lead. He wasn’t sure if I was going to be the right fit, but honestly, it didn’t matter — I was happy to be considered for a part. A year later I was asked to screen-test for Kamli’s part. It was done in such a hurry, I wasn’t sure it was good enough. Later, I was called to Hirani’s office and he narrated the film to me and when I asked him ‘What do you want me to do’, ‘he said, ‘Play Kamli.’
After Sanju, do think there is a biopic where you can play the central character? If yes, talk in detail. If not, why?
Certainly, I would love to do that. It’s too early for me to pinpoint a name for this, but yes that opportunity of living the life of someone on-screen will take my confidence to another level. It will definitely have its own pros and cons, but that will be a great learning experience I guess.
One thing that you love the most about your profession?
While others are struggling living one life, I have been blessed to live so many lives via different characters I get to play. The whole idea of expanding horizons with my work is totally magical.
What would be your take on getting rejected despite being good? What do people in those situations do?
I don’t know what others do, but I am a strong believer of destiny and karma. My job is to give my best between ‘action’ and ‘cut’. It is the actual duration that decides my next step in the industry. When it comes to rejection, I have been taught to accept it and make an effort to achieve it. Persistence, patience, and focus are the three strong pillars to excel in the industry.
Is there a role in the past year that you wish you could have done?
I don’t think so. If I’ve watched an actor do a role well, I don’t wish to do it myself. If I’m taking the character back home in my mind, then I think the actor did his/her job, and nobody else should do that role. If I fall in love with a character or a film, I don’t want anybody else to touch it.
Rapid Fire
If you would have been an outfit: a pair of ripped denim
Holiday destination: New York
Dream role to play: Mythological character
Favourite colour: Blue
Your favourite designer: Varoin Marwah
The worst fashion trend ever: Short shirts
Your biggest style problem: Confusion about what to wear
Best compliment received: When Javed Akhtar (Ji) called me from London and invited me for lunch
Credits:-
Interview by: Kartikya Arora
Photoshoot by: Paul David Martin
Stylist: Pranav Sood
Assisted by Lakhan Punjabi
Designers: Arun Ahuja John Marya
Label: Mehraab
Production: Rahul Bharti
Jewellery: KHURANA JEWELLERY HOUSE
The post Breaking Barriers – Vicky Kaushal appeared first on TMM.