Imtiaz Ali’s latest release Highway has enchanted the audience with its power-packed performances. Besides the lead pair, Randeep Hooda and Alia Bhatt, who have been applauded, the one who played Hooda’s (Mahabir Bhati) accomplice – Durgesh Kumar (Aado). Here is a small chat with the actor:
Background
I am originally from Bihar. I joined NSD and was a part of its Repertory Company, which is NSD professional performing wing. And I was there for almost 13 years. Then I gave a few auditions and moved to Mumbai.
A Big Break
Like all strugglers, I was in touch with Mukesh sir. One day, he called me up for this role in Highway. I went for the auditions and was selected for the part. They told me to learn dance and hit the gym because I was scrawny. I thought no amount of gymming would make me look like Randeep Hooda. So I just ate a lot and put on a lot of weight. I was so happy when I got the part that I called up my father and told him about it. He thought I was bluffing and laughed. He said, ‘Why would a director like Imtiaz Ali cast you in his film?’ He still hasn’t seen the film so I guess he still doesn’t believe me!
On Highway
This is Imtiaz Ali’s first film as a producer and his production house is called Window Seat Films. In the film, my character sits on that window seat and visualises the journey from that seat. And that’s exactly how I would sum up my journey in the film. I was elated to bag a big film like this. So when I turned up for the shoot, I tried to get into the skin of the character. I didn’t bathe for 26 days and I didn’t sleep for two days. I thought that would impress him.
On the contrary, he told me he wanted his actors to be natural. He explained my role as if I was a child learning the alphabet. He was very patent. My character had to be sweet with a little comic touch. I don’t know how this happened but whenever I started acting, everyone on the sets would start rolling with laughter.
In fact, during one of the initial scenes where Alia speaks to me for the first time, our cinematographer Anil Mehta couldn’t stop laughing because I had delivered the scene with so much conviction.
On Alia Bhatt
As children, we have always been enamoured of films and actors. So when I met Alia Bhatt for the first time, I expected this diva to come on the sets. But I was surprised when I saw this chirpy little girl. I had a great time working with Alia as I had to be this character who understood the equation between Randeep’s character and her. And I had to treat her like a younger sister.
The dance sequence I performed with her has generated a lot of buzz and I had a blast shooting it. After we shot the scene, Alia told me she was a fan of my dancing skills. I take that as a huge compliment because I just did what I felt like and didn’t care too much about my moves.
Future Plans
Highway has had a huge impact on my career. My next film is Jagga Jasoos, for which I was to shoot for just two days. Now that has been fleshed out and stretched to six more days. I have found my inspiration in Nawazuddin Siddiqui and since it took him over 10 years to make it big, I am prepared to wait!