Celebrating 15 Years
SEPTEMBER 2020
A LITTLE BIT OF
HUMOUR, CANDOUR, AND REAL TALK GOES A LONG WAY
GULSHAN DEVAIAH
the fearless
NEERU BAJWA
CREATING HER OWN SPACE IN A DYNAMIC WAY
ANUPRIA GOENKA
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COVER PAGE Neeru Bajwa Photographer: Baljit Singh Deo Hair & Make Up: Renu Sindhu
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FAWZIA MIRZA
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22 32 RUP MAGON
PALOMI GHOSH
40 SHRUTI BAPNA
SHAMA SIKANDER
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46 DIBYENDU
AZHAR KHAN
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Founded in 2006, DESIFEST Music Festival is one of Canadaʟs biggest celebrations of South Asian urban culture and beyond – a multi-disciplinary, world-class festival with a positive social and economic impact. But we are more than just a festival. DESIFEST is a non-profit, youth-powered platform designed to put local artists on the map and unite, inspire and empower diverse communities of young people through arts and culture, year-round.
COVER STORY
do an TO va
You
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COVER STORY
on’t need nyone else alidate you”
Exclusive Interview by Armin S. Photography by Baljit Singh Deo Hair & Make Up by Renu Sindhu
Neeru Bajwa’s career spans over fifteen years. In those fifteen years, Neeru Bajwa has been a part of numerous projects on television, reality shows, Hindi films, and so much more. Her work with people in times of need in her community is commendable and really sheds light on why Neeru Bajwa is who she is today. With over three million followers on Instagram, Neeru is a force to reckon with and a face that not only people in their 70s recognize, but also kids at the age of 7. I could go on and on as to why Neeru had to be our cover this month, but instead, here’s our chat, and I promise you, once you read it, you will feel like you can climb the world’s highest mountain. 17
COVER STORY
Neeru, you have so much experience behind you. What was your initial motivation to get into the entertainment, and particularly, the film industry?
Well, ever since I can remember, I wanted to be an actress. My love with films started with watching films. My parents were working and their form of entertainment for us was renting a bunch of VHS tapes and we would sit there and my grandma would take care of us. Ever since I watched my first Hindi film, I realized I wanted to become an Indian film actor.
Do you remember the first time you were facing a professional camera and what was going through your head?
I remember, I remember it was for Dev Anand’s Main Solah Baras Ki – it was just so much excitement, nervousness. Actually, my first film, there was overconfidence! I was like, “I’m going to take over, this is going to be awesome” (laughs). That was my feeling with my first film and that film did not do well at all. I was 15, almost 16, and I came back to Canada. I then went through the Miss India Canada pageant; I was there with a documentary and then I again had to come back because of a tragedy in the family. And then again, I went (laughs), and I made something out of it then.
There was a lot of back and forth initially and a lot of back and forth even now. Today, you have a family in Vancouver but you are still hugely popular and must go back and forth for the projects that you do. How does it feel to balance all of the familial/parental obligations and stay true to your passion?
I have to say I have an amazing family, I have an amazing support system. If I wasn’t confident that my husband was a fantastic father, I would not leave my kids with him. My daughter has such a close relationship with him. Before Anaya was in school, she would travel back and forth with me and my husband, Harry. My sister and mother have helped me immensely. When I’m not there, they take over my role. They don’t even let them miss me. There are times when I’m in India and we will be FaceTiming and she will say, “oh, mom, I’m busy with dad.” So, for me, I’m like, that’s a good feeling. If I saw her crying or asking me to come back, I’d feel terrible. So my entire family has really helped me to balance this all out. Even my producers and directors have really helped – they try to cut my time as short as possible – they get me rolling, work, work, work, and I’m out. And I’m a happier person because I get to do what I love. I’m a better person, mom, wife, daughter. If I wasn’t able to do what I was doing, I think I would be miserable.
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My mom knows who Neeru Bajwa is, my niece knows who Neeru Bajwa is, people in my generation know who Neeru Bajwa is. There is obviously a longevity you have been able to establish in your career. I think part of the reason is that you have been able to immerse yourself with the changing times. When you think about the choices you have made, how would you describe your journey so far?
I’ve never really pre-planned any step. I have never called anyone for a collaboration. I just know that I give my best to everything I do. At heart, I still feel like I’m 21 years old (laughs). I’m a kid with my kids. I don’t take myself very seriously. I take every project like it’s my first. The audience sees my hard work and dedication and they just connect with me. I think I’m very lucky and I know it has been a long journey. I meet older kids and they will say I watched you when I was a kid. I’m like, “holy crap, I’ve been around that long?” and I feel old (chuckles) but I say, “I know, sweetheart” (laughs). I’m still getting lead roles but I think also, times have changed too.
It is true – and now, my nieces, who are younger, dance to “Laung Laachi” will grow up to say, I watched Neeru Bajwa when I was a kid. So huge kudos to you.
I mean, yes, I’ve worked very hard but I’ve been lucky too. “Laung Laachi” came around after I had Anaya and that was my first film I had after her – you know, as people say, “the comeback”. It just connected me to the next generation, that song. So the generation that was watching Jatt & Juliet, Laung Laachi was for the next generation so I’m truly blessed in the work that I get.
When was the first time you felt you hit a major milestone?
I don’t know if I would characterize this as a milestone but there was a moment when I realized I was very comfortable where I was. I had this one very uncomfortable meeting with a big Bollywood director and this is after I had made it in the Punjabi film industry. I met this individual and I felt so uncomfortable in that meeting and I just walked out. I thought, “they know who I am” – all of Bollywood knows who I am. If they have a role for me, call me, I will sign the contract, and I will come. I’m not doing this whole coming and meeting anyone. I’d love to venture into some Hindi cinema; of course I do. But not at the cost of me feeling horrible. I felt like I could not believe I was listening to this human being speak like this. I had my way in Punjabi cinema – I realized this is my place, this is where I’m comfortable. I get the roles I want, I get the respect, I get the money. That’s when something inside me turned and I was then never on the
COVER STORY
“Launch Laachi” wasn’t celebrated as India’s only video to have crossed 1 billion views 19
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all of Bollywood knows who I am
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COVER STORY
lookout for something else. A lot of people will make you feel like – you know – “why aren’t you doing Hindi films?” I would hate that question. I never talked about it before. I feel more comfortable talking about it today too. But honestly, that moment made me realize I love what I do.
Picking up from what you have said, we always hear of a successful actor in the Tamil industry or the Punjabi industry or television, but there is a very clear division on who is successful in what sphere – and only the Hindi film industry gets the glory. My personal perception is that that isn’t necessarily true – be it Jennifer Aniston or Seinfeld, both of them started off become global icons because of television, not films. Do you feel like the division has served as a detriment to talented actors and artists outside of the Hindi film industry?
Definitely. This division definitely exists. You’ll never see a Punjabi actress on the cover of a high-end fashion magazine. She could have more fans around the world. I haven’t see a South Indian actress on these kinds of covers. So they highlight Bollywood so much, they leave everyone else out. I mean, it’s sad but that’s the way it is. But now I’m comfortable – I don’t give a damn anymore. It doesn’t matter to me.
Now that you’ve created that headspace; do you think back to how you dealt with rejection, something which is part and parcel of this profession – auditions, meeting with filmmakers, contracts?
I’ve had various stages when I’ve had to face this. Initially, I was in Bombay, I found it really odd that they expect women to dress up in glamourous clothing. First of all, you’re taking rickshaws and walking around the streets (laughs) and then go into a meeting looking glamourous. If you don’t do that, they don’t think you are glamourous enough. My thought process was “but hey, I’m an actor. If I need to transform, I will. I’m not the character.” Having to hear all that – you are not glamourous enough, not dumb enough (laughs), not flirty enough, your nose is too big…you just kind of roll with the punches. You just let the negativity roll off you. That was the first stage. When I was in the Punjabi film industry, when only one or two films were coming out a year, that phase – I fell into the category of, “oh, she’s from Canada. She will always play the ‘NRI’” and I was like, “oh my gosh, how do I get through to these people that that is me, and then there’s the actor in me.” I had to break through that stereotype. I successfully
I have an amazing support system did that. Then all of a sudden, I had to deal with everyone saying I was too old because I got married. They wrote me off and then I came back with “Laung Laachi”. Now they’re at the point where they say, we just got to deal with her, she’s there, she is not going anywhere (chuckles).
I come from a family with a sister, I have a daughter of my own, my sister has two daughters. You have three daughters. In 2020, what do you think young girls should be taking away as a message – what do you want your daughters to take away from you?
That you’re strong, you’re independent, and you don’t need anyone else to validate you. You just need yourself. And that is what my husband and I try to encourage and show with mutual respect. My daughter sees that this is how a woman should be treated. That a woman can leave home and go work and be financially independent. And an education – I really want them to go to university. That is the number 1. If you have that backing, and financial independence as a woman, your confidence, your way of looking at things – everything changes.
Today, what makes you content? What makes you happy?
I think that I lived life on my own terms. I wanted to get married, I wanted to have children. I also wanted to work at the same time. I’m so happy I don’t have to hide my husband. I don’t have to hide my children. I’m proud of my age – 39. It’s such an empowering feeling to just be who you are.
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INTERVIEW
A LITTLE BIT OF HUMOUR, CANDOUR, AND REAL TALK GOES A LONG WAY
GULSHAN DEVAIAH
Interview by Armin S.
When I messaged Gulshan Devaiah to see if we could set up a chat, it was with the intention to have a conversation with him about his film and acting journey. The conversation very early on became a kind of learning for me. The thing with Gulshan is that he is able to keep it real, add some chuckles to what he is saying, and keeps it humble. He does not shy away from sharing his opinions on matters but also remains fair in his descriptions. Theatre, films such as ‘Shaitan’, ‘Ram Leela’, ‘Commando 3’, and series including ‘Afsos’, Gulshan has a varied line of work and has been selective in ensuring he remains diverse in his portfolio. Here’s my chat with Gulshan as he talks about how uncomfortable he was initially in being in public spaces, finding his space of belonging, and even Mohammed Ali.
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INTERVIEW
WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT YOUR JOURNEY, DO YOU THINK ABOUT HOW YOU HAVE CHOSEN YOUR PROJECTS – YOU CAN’T PUT ANY OF YOUR ROLES WITHIN THE SAME BOX. YOU DON’T FIT A CERTAIN CATEGORY. WERE THESE CONSCIOUS CHOICES – WHAT WAS THE THOUGHT PROCESS BEHIND CHOOSING EACH PROJECT? I instinctively try to be as diverse as possible. It was subconscious at the beginning but then it took place at a conscious level because that’s who I am as a person. I really like things to be a certain way all the time but with my career, with my choice of roles – when I take up a project, I ask myself why I’m doing this, is this difficult, do I have to use my imagination and what do these scenes mean? Is it relevant for the current climate, for me, for cinema, for society. Initially, I don’t think I was so conscious. To put it plain and simple, I always wanted to do something different. So I said no to a lot of roles, which means saying no to a lot of money. I’m not criticizing other actors but if an actor is noticed for a certain role and is now on everyone’s radar, some actors don’t mind the same kinds of roles that they initially became popular with because they are cashing in on that. This is not just in Bollywood, it is Hollywood as well – becoming cops all the time, or playing gangsters all the time. I’m happy making the choices I really want to make and I am kind of creating my career. This is a growing process. Now, I think I am also attracting people who think about a role and think that Gulshan may do it because it is different. So, I like that right now.
was like, I can do this and I had to figure it out so I don’t get hurt. So I got in touch with my surgeon, with my physiotherapist and I told them I’m doing this. Now you have to help me figure out how I can do this. So they advised my trainers not to overload me. I was really happy with the process I came up with for this. That gave me a lot of confidence that despite the adversity, I could figure it out. And everybody is appreciating it and seems to be happy with the quality of work I have put into this. Around that time I also found the quote from Albert Camus very inspiring: “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” It resonated with me when I was preparing for this – it was kind of cool. I remember a time when I was doing theatre, I hadn’t gone to acting school or anything. I learned a lot of things on the job. A lot of directors would help me out early on. I would be very inquisitive. I was doing a play that Badal Sircar had written and I started to feel that every day character was becoming that character. That kind of scared me also. I felt that I had no control over it. As an actor, you must have control over your acting because I know as an actor we have to let go but you are still supposed to be aware of what you are doing – so if you are tripping, you should know you are tripping (chuckles). It is fun as long as you are aware. Initially, I was not aware. I had started to break down on stage at the wrong time. I realized that I was out of control. I started to become more cautious of the choices I was making.
I HAD STARTED TO BREAK DOWN ON STAGE AT THE WRONG TIME.
HAS THERE BEEN A ROLE THAT HAS LEFT A DEEP IMPACT ON YOU, THAT HAS CHANGED THE WAY IN WHICH YOU DO THINGS OR WHO YOU ARE IN REAL LIFE? OR ARE YOU THE TYPE TO LEAVE THE CHARACTER BEHIND COMPLETELY?
Not in my film career. I think Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota was a bit like that – not because of the character I was playing but because of the process of making that film and the preparation work I had to do for it. I had just come out of a major knee surgery from a major skiing accident. I was basically at home, refusing any work. I had decided that I would be taking eight months off because that is what was recommended to me. Vasan brought me this movie when I was three months post-surgery. I was in a brace at all times, I could not walk without the brace. It was a dumb idea to say yes to an action film like that. But I think the process was very motivating for me. In a way, I
DO YOU THINK TODAY, AN ACTOR REQUIRES MORE MENTAL STRENGTH TO MAKE IT AS AN ACTOR AND SUSTAIN YOURSELF THAN WHEN YOU HAD INITIALLY STARTED OFF – ESPECIALLY WITH THE ADVENT OF SOCIAL MEDIA?
Yes, but you have to work on it. I feel more confident, sensible, and aware. I see that I am able to handle rejections and disappointments a lot better. I don’t tend to take as personally as I used to. In my early years, when I was getting attention, it made me more uncomfortable than it made me happy. I didn’t know what it feels like to have the spotlight on me so it scared me. I had to wish to the universe to slow down a little and it may have worked, actually. I remember being at an awards show and hoping my name would not be announced – that I hope I don’t win this. Deep inside, I did not want to win the award because I wasn’t sure I could handle doing a speech and being on television. I can admit this now. I
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INTERVIEW
I REMEMBER BEING AT AN AWARDS SHOW AND HOPING MY NAME WOULD NOT BE ANNOUNCED
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was not able to handle this. I knew how to work and
learnt – I was like a sponge. That is all I was focusing. I could hide behind characters but I was not comfortable being myself. Now I am. I now have a sense of belonging.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE HAVING A TOUGH DAY IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AND YOU HAVE TO PERFORM, WHETHER ON SET OR SOMEWHERE ELSE? HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THAT?
You know, I have seen actors play characters in real life because they’re uncomfortable, they do not want to be vulnerable and they want to protect themselves. I think you have to find the right balance and that balance can be different for different people – so that you are being a slightly amplified version of your authentic self. I think that is important to figure out. Once you figure it out, the situation may demand that you slightly amp it up for effect. I think a good example of that is someone like Mohammed Ali – who was almost like delusional, the greatest trash talker in history – but he was being himself and just slightly crossing the line. I’m assuming that he had the right balance of being authentic and slightly amped up. So that’s exactly what I try to do in a public platform. I try to remain sincere and authentic to who I am – and you do that, but in a Gucci suit, which is a rental by the way. We all wear rental clothes (laughs).
GOOD TO KNOW – MAKES ME FEEL BETTER ABOUT MY CLOSET (LAUGHS). HAVING SAID ALL OF THAT, HOW HAVE YOU DEALT WITH THE CREATIVE CHAOS THAT I THINK NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED TO HAVE A SEMBLANCE OF REALITY FOR AN ACTOR?
See, I was in the middle of shooting something so I don’t have closure – I was shooting something that is a third into shooting in Rajasthan. I usually do one thing at a time. If I have been sitting for four months, usually I have finished something, I am preparing something, and waiting for something to start. So, that is more of an issue for me – I mean, if I must find an issue in the privileged space I am in, people are starving out there – I need to find closure with that. You talk about creative chaos – when I’m working, I like creative chaos and kind of feed off of it. When I’m not working, I don’t want any of that creative chaos.
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Interview by Armin S. | Photography by Devang Patel
ANUPRIA GOENKA
CREATING HER OWN SPACE IN A DYNAMIC WAY
INTERVIEW
A
nupria Goenka is one o who you take notice of righ she debuted in the Telugu film, followed with Bobby Jasoos, we here to stay. Whether it be Ti Padmaavat, or War, she has m with prominent roles in th films. In the OTT space, incredible work to her name, Final Call, Criminal Justice, a Aashram. We take a walk down to recap the last seven years that have stuck with her, w person today, and more. A wa tion with an actor who is ea and listen to – Anu
of those actors ht away. When Potugadu, and knew she was iger Zinda Hai, made her mark he blockbuster she has some including The and the recent memory lane s and the roles who she is as a arm conversaasy to speak to upria Goenka.
INTERVIEW
I WANT TO GO BACK TO 2013 – A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE, SO TO SPEAK– DO YOU REMEMBER THE PERSON YOU WERE AND HAVE YOU CHANGED DRASTICALLY?
(Smiles) You know that is a very difficult question. I’ve actually sat back recently to think about whether I have changed. I don’t have a straight answer to that, unfortunately. Maybe I’m more spritey, more gusto for everything in life – when you are more impulsive, temperamental as well. A lot more of all those things put together seven years ago. I’m more solid in my resolve now. At that time, when I started off, I wasn’t sure if acting would be the be all and end all. I’ve always been a floater in some sense. I came from a business environment and I knew earning for me regularly was always high on priority. I never in my head made it that I have to do acting and I cannot do anything else, because that would give me no sleep and jitters. So in the back of my head, I always used to say to myself, if there comes a point three months down the line, where I don’t know where I’m heading, I will go back to my corporate job. I always gave myself those three/four months to keep checking where I am (laughs). I genuinely fell in love with acting more and more as I went along. I’m genuinely more mature now in regards to the craft, what it requires. I’ve changed in terms of appreciating the different genres that are there. I know how difficult it is for an actor to say the so-called Indian masala lines, to dance around the trees, all this is talent and art. I have now seen how difficult filmmaking really is. My sense of business and what works with the people is also improving. I have changed like that, but at the core, I’m the same person mostly.
DO YOU REMEMBER A MOMENT WHEN YOU REALIZED THAT YOU ARE IN LOVE WITH ACTING – INSTEAD OF THAT THREE TO FOUR CHECK-IN?
There were many such moments. When you are auditioning, forget when you are on set, or doing a scene on stage in theatre, and whenever something goes really well, or you have so much to do in a day that has been challenging and not comfortable, those are the moments you realize you really love this. It gives you an adrenaline rush. It gives you the feeling that there is still something you need to learn and achieve. There will always be levels you will be crossing hopefully, if you are growing as an actor. Some of us become stagnant as well because we do not know better or do not meet the right directors. There was a time working with Sanjay sir (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) for Padmaavat where he was directing me personally because we were shooting the song “Ghoomar” – I was across, watching Deepika dance. That was my job for most of it. But there was a time in which my close-ups would be taken, and that was the first time, I was briefed and directed by him. It was scheduled all of a sudden. I was supposed to be on an off that day. I was very nervous. He briefed me so beautifully – he was so indulgent as a director. This was about four years into my acting journey and I was like, “wow, this is the reason why
I started to act.” That is one moment I can pinpoint, but there were many such moments.
HAS THERE BEEN A MOMENT THAT YOU HAVE PLAYED A CHARACTER AND YOU’VE COME OUT AND THOUGHT THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH BECAUSE OF THE ROLE OR THE CHARACTER YOU WERE PLAYING?
Yes, in a way. Exactly what you are saying – if I was playing astronaut, I would learn a lot about space. For me, that happened with a film that has not released by Nagesh Kukunoor. This was in 2015 and I was a very different person then, I guess. In the film, I was playing an actor from a small town, who is docile, very simple, innocent. She changes through the course of the movie. She becomes more aware, more aware of her sexuality. It comes to a point where she uses her sexuality to get work done; starts engaging in transactional sex and ends up killing somebody. There was a huge graph for her. So that attracted me and of course, Nagesh Kukunoor. The entire film was being shot in a house; the camera would never leave the house. It was an independent film. Three years of her life are depicted in that setting. We really needed to then put in some intimate, some crude intimate scenes because of the changes she was going through. Some scenes required nudity and extreme exposure. And I was someone who was very comfortable with exposing; even in my personal life, you could call me uptight maybe even. I did not understand what frontal nudity is. I thought it was top-up nudity. I did not realize it was all nude. I signed up and two days before the shoot, I realized what it meant. My mother, who is extremely conservative otherwise, encouraged me to do it because I loved the role. We were doing a reading and I said, “she loses her way”. And Nagesh sir stopped me and he said, “no, why has she lost her way? It’s her choice. She’s very aware. If a woman chooses sex for her to get a job done, the agency of choice is huge and you cannot judge her for that.” That conversation really changed my view of things, in a very subtle manner also.
YOU’VE DONE A WHOLE HOST OF WEB SERIES AND CHARACTER GRAPH IS SOMETHING THAT SERIES ALLOW YOU TO DEVELOP MORE. WHAT IS IT ABOUT WEB SERIES THAT GIVES YOU THE FREEDOM TO PLAY WITH CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT?
I think what happens is – you have ten hours to tell a story. The writers get the opportunity to create many layers for a character via the themes. The writing needs to also allow the character to grow and not just put the character into different circumstances. Think about Criminal Justice – she is very into law, extremely righteous, and doesn’t know how to carve her own identity. At the beginning, I had to reflect someone who is not so opinionated, not so worldly-wise. But as she grows, she finds her internal
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The DESIFEST platform is much more than the music we showcase for 12 hours. ItĘźs an opportunity to break down barriers, biases, ignorance and cultural beliefs that divide us. Through the power of music, we celebrate as ONE.
CANADIAN SPECTRUM
TIFF 2020
TELLING STORIES NOBODY ELSE WILL.
Fawzia MIRZA Interview by Asis Sethi
A writer, performer, creator, director, Fawzia Mirza believes in the power of using comedy to tackle divisive topics and address prejudices and stereotypes. Chosen as one of the 2020 TIFF Filmmaker Lab Participants and Share Her Journey Fellow, Fawzia is a well-known name in the entertainment industry. Her first feature, Signature Move, screened at over 150 film festivals globally and won fourteen awards including the Outfest Grand Jury Prize as the Best US Narrative. Named a White House “Champion of Change” in Asian American Art & Storytelling and listed as one of the “10 Filmmakers to Watch" by Independent Magazine, Fawzia Mirza is somebody I was looking forward to connecting with.
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AS A WRITER WHEN YOU'RE WRITING A SCRIPT AND WRITING A CHARACTER THAT YOU KNOW YOU'LL BE PLAYING, DO YOU KEEP YOURSELF IN MIND WHEN WRITING THAT CHARACTER?
I write a lot from personal experience, all across the board. So, as to whether I'm writing for myself or writing for someone else, the channeling is definitely coming through because I'm writing a lot of Queer brown South Asian characters and so that protagonist is often like me. When I'm writing for myself, there's a lot of how would I feel in these situations, it's very personal.
HOW DOES BEING A PERFORMER OR AN ACTOR HELP YOU IN THE WRITING PROCESS?
I think it depends. One of the things I find helpful when writing is I like to improvise dialogue. I love writing comedy - I write comedy, I've performed comedy, I've taken improv classes as a performer and so the capacity to just play and whether it's with a collaborator or with myself, just spinning off with how does that sound or what is that conversation like happens for me. And allowing your imagination to just flow. That's definitely a way where I feel like I find the truth. I find that really helpful. When I first started writing, being a performer and writer, I kind of knew the whole expansiveness of the character and the world because it was my world.
BASED ON THAT, HAVE YOU EVER FACED UNWANTED (UNWARRANTED) CRITICISM ON WHO YOU ARE OR HOW YOU IDENTIFY? HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THAT AS A PERSON AND A FILMMAKER?
CREATIVE SPACE?
Right now we are in the middle of a pandemic. Ironically, I would say I feel like I'm at peace with where I'm at. I think that's really important to have writing rituals. My history is I used to be a lawyer, then I became an actor and then I started writing because I didn't see roles for myself or my communities so I had to write them and play them too. I feel like I started writing out of necessity and I got to make my first feature that was at SXSW and then I moved to LA to write for TV. I got to sell my first pilot and I've been working on that. There's a lot going on and I really feel excited about that. And I feel there are so many untold stories in the South Asian space alone that need to be told.
WHEN OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOT THERE, YOU CREATE YOUR OWN OPPORTUNITY. YOU DID JUST THAT WITH YOUR SHOW KAM KARDASHIAN. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FILMMAKERS WHO ARE LOOKING INTO CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEMSELVES?
There is so much more now than there was when I made that show. At the time, in Chicago where I was living at the time, people weren't making that many web series that they were making themselves. I think that's the way. Especially now, we're sitting, most people have access to technology and I always talk about Tik Tok. You can make one minute films with some of the highest editing software that's essentially a free app. You can have millions of people watching you and your beautiful creative brand.
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WRITING WAS A MEANS OF SELF LOVE AND SELF DISCOVERY AND CLAIMING MY SPACE AND MY IDENTITIES.
For sure. As a Queer Muslim South Asian Pakistani woman, I have experienced that kind of thing a lot. Regardless of whether it was people telling me you can't be queer and Muslim at the same time or it's good you want to tell South Asian stories but why do you have to do it that way or why do you have to be in everyone's face with who you are. If you're gay, can't you just be quietly gay? And there are so many other things. There's stuff the Queer community says, there's stuff the Muslim community says and the way I've learned to survive, and this isn't just as a writer. I definitely think the Arts saved my life because for me writing was a means of self love and self discovery and claiming my space and my identities. I survived by transcending all that noise. Everyone's going to have an opinion about who you are, it doesn't matter what you do and how you do it. In the end, you have to get up everyday and look at yourself in the mirror. You have to face yourself. You have to love yourself.
ARE YOU CONTENT WITH WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW IN TERMS WITH YOUR
CANADIAN SPECTRUM
FAWZIA, I KNOW ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING PROJECTS BUT CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT IT WITH OUR READERS?
The way you and I met was through a workshop at TIFF and my project that was in there is called Me, My Mom and Sharmila. It's a feature film and it was inspired by my first short film The Queen of My Dreams which then inspired my then one-woman play Me, My Mom and Sharmila and that story was about my relationship with my mother and our shared love for the Bollywood heroine, Sharmila Tagore. For me a lot of my work ruminates on the question how do we become who we are. Even if it's straight up comedy, I always ask How did I get here? My mom and I are so similar and my mom in Karachi was super hip and cool, wore sleeveless dresses and looked like Sharmila Tagore with the winged eyeliner, the sarees. And when she moved to Canada and the United States, she became much more conservative. She wears a hijab, doesn't wear Western clothes anymore. What happened to her in her life? So that short film, that play and that screenplay are very much trying to go back in time and understand what was her life like.
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R
GROWING UP, BEING AN ENTERTAINER WAS NOT WELCOME
RUP MAGON Interview by Asis Sethi
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upinder Singh M known as Rup Magon, fi my attention some year I tuned into listen to wh become one of my favo “Pyar Ho Gaya” as a JoSH alongside Qurram. He has since himself as a producer now holds the title of be turbaned Sikh to play a a Canadian televisi series, Decoys. He plays Amandeep Singh w immigrated to Ca Punjab. From The B which also starred Sati and Shabana Azmi to B Canadian short film speaks French, Ru certainly paving the way mainstream ent
Magon, also irst came to rs ago when hat has now ourite songs, member of bandmate, established r, actor, and eing the first lead role in ion network s the role of who recently anada from Black Prince, inder Sartaj Bonjour Ji, a in which he up Magon is for Sikhs in tertainment.
CANADIAN SPECTRUM
RUP, HOW HAS BEING A SINGER HELPED YOU IN YOUR ACTING JOURNEY?
That’s a great question. The very first time I did something on screen was Breakaway, Ajay Virmani and Vinay Virmani gave me that break. They asked me for a self-tape to see if I knew anything. I remember doing the self-tape and feeling very natural because at that point JoSH had done over twenty music videos. Being in front of the camera was not new to me. Yes, saying lines and speaking dialogue, playing a different character. You have to force a little bit of yourself into a character and you do that through life experiences. I’ll give you an example, when I was in The Black Prince, my character was Maharaja Dilip Singh’s right hand man. Satinder Sartaj played Maharaja Dilip Singh. I remember the two of us would have conversations about it. Being in JoSH, I’m the boss of our band. Qurram and I are the bosses of the band. Being an assistant was not natural to me; I haven’t really done that. I haven’t been an assistant, so I had to source that from our manager. I remembered he would say things to me diplomatically to get an answer out of me. So I sourced that to play Dilip Singh’s right hand man. So I can source my real life experiences into acting.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES VISIBLE MINORITIES FACE WHILE NAVIGATING THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY TODAY?
I think one of the biggest challenges is being typecast although that’s okay. I’m okay with it because some of these assumptions about our community do exist. We are a lot of cab drivers. My dad did own a convenience store in Montreal. These stereotypes do exist but just to a certain extent. I, for instance, do not drive a cab or own a corner store, just to name a few stereotypes – there are so many now. It’s hard for me, whose best friend growing up was Jean Sebastien, when I just want to be a normal character on a show. We have to navigate through this intelligently. It can’t be done from a place of anger, revenge – it has to be done from a place of understanding and then, eventually getting your own way. A lot of people have asked me why I put on an accent for my character in Decoys, Amandeep Singh, and it’s a great question. The character just came from Punjab and is a recent immigrant so there is a very good chance that he is a.) not speaking the way I am speaking right now b.) not speak French. On Instagram, somebody had asked me, that it’s sad that we have to fall into stereotypes. First, I was a bit angry and then I had a cup of coffee and relaxed and I replied – I have been fortunate enough to play a regular Canadian guy with this accent in Breakaway, a beautiful Canadian film, and Beeba Boys. I was able to have a British accent in The Black Prince. I was able to speak French in Bonjour Ji – which was a short film we did. So, in Decoys, I’m playing a character named Amandeep Singh from Punjab so I’m trying my best to do an Indian accent.
THAT MAKES SENSE.
At the beginning, Amandeep’s wardrobe was a bit cliché.
There were some instances when he was wearing a suit that didn’t fit him or something that belonged to the 1980s. I had a very frank discussion with the production and I said that we live in a different world today, there are things like social media that allow people from all over the world to see what a trend is, what a fitted shirt is. After that, you can see Amandeep’s wardrobe. He may be the best dressed on the show.
I REALLY LIKED THE OVERALLS CHOICE! Thanks! That was my daughter’s choice.
SO, HOW DID YOU LAND THE ROLE OF AMANDEEP ON DECOYS?
There was a call out for a turbaned Sikh and that is very rare. Because usually we will want a brown person and eventually, we will put a turban on him. I mean, if you look at The Simpsons – they did not even get a brown person to play Apu. In this case, they actually asked for a turbaned Sikh, which is something I really admired about production and the writer. I was shocked because it is rare. Then when I was invited to audition, I was not in Toronto, I was in Montreal so they asked me to self-tape so I just sent them Bonjour ji. They asked me to just come in. I’m ridiculously bad at auditions. People ask me why because I’m singing in front of thousands of people. You did kirtan in front of thousands of people. But it’s harder to remember a line, you know (laughs). I had them laughing in the audition and they made me feel very comfortable. Eventually, after a few other stories, after the pilot was done, which I wasn’t able to film – they offered me the role.
SO WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS NOW ON THE REPRESENTATION OF VISIBLE MINORITIES, OR LACK THEREOF, IN MAINSTREAM MEDIA?
I’ve been thinking about this for a very long time and I think that we cannot stand in a position of complaining. We’re not given chances, the roles. We have to make something very clear. Growing up in our families, being an entertainer, is not welcome. It’s not that “oh, mera puttar gaunda hai” (my son sings). And I think, that’s where the problem begins because during the process of filming The Black Prince, I learned a lot because it was a Hollywood film. I learned that some of my favourite actors in the world brought their stories to the director and even figured out the financing. When I realized that, this is not just a thousand people coming for an audition. This takes a lot of time and effort and then you have to get the stories written. So that’s the journey that I embarked on. Let’s go and write the story – so we can own the story and the way it is told, the narrative. Yes, there is a lack of representation of desi people and even if there is, it may be some cliché but that also may be a result of the fact that we have not done that work. Now, look at yourself. You got a story, you put it together, you got it out, and you are winning awards. You probably went through the same hardships. We need to become a little bit more gutsy of getting into the arts and following and pursuing our dreams. I think all that is about to change.
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INTERVIEW
“Children teach you to be present”
PALOMI GHOSH I
Interview by Armin S.
reached out to National-Award winning actor, Palomi Ghosh for an interview after I saw her recent short film, “Everything is Fine”, directed by Mansi Nirmal Jain, co-starring the hugely talented Seema Pahwa. What struck me about Palomi’s acting in the film was how real her reactions were to her mother, played by Seema Pahwa. In addition to that short film though, is a work history that has everyone talking: whether it is her vocals in ‘Helicopter Eela’, ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’, or working with Mira Nair. When we got talking, what unfolded was a conversation about her journey in acting, learning and unlearning as an actor, and dealing with the pandemic as a creative person.
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“This pandemic is kind of a face-off with yourself.”
“it is hard to be objective about yourself.” 36 BollywoodFilmFame.com
INTERVIEW
When was the first time that this is all the things I want to do and I’m going to do it?
Oh, man. I’ve been looking for the answer for a long time but I really don’t know. To be honest, it was not meant to be a full-time thing at the very beginning. I finished my undergrad. I moved here to Bombay from North Carolina – I moved here from the U.S. but I still go back and forth a lot but a lot of the work has been here. In my undergrad, I took two electives in this field in my final year and thought it was great. I thought I would go to Bombay, have some fun, do some theatre, and see what it’s like. I was meant to be here for six months. I was already working for a software company and I told them I would be back in six months. Then, I discovered that I like this. I can’t think of any particular day that I thought, “oh, I want to become an actor.” There is no such day. It just happened.
Going back and forth, it can take a toll. Like, where is home for you right now?
You know, a lot of people who go back and forth between two places don’t know where home is. They don’t have a strong sense of home because they don’t know where home is. But I feel at home in Bombay as much as I do in Atlanta or New York when I go back now. I’m lucky that way. I love both places.
So you are adaptable in that way?
Yeah, I mean, I hope so, and it is important as an actor to be that way, because you don’t know where the work takes you.
What is that one project has really stuck with you – if I was to have this gigantic ceremony for myself, which would be that one film/project that you would want everyone to talk about?
I think the cliché answer would be that every project has something special. There is a project though that changed my life in a lot of ways. It isn’t a commercial project – a lot of people do not know about it because it is a regional film. It is a Konkoni Jazz film I did, Nachom-ia Kumpasar. It’s sort of a biopic of sorts. That film did so much for me but it is so hard to put into sentences, to be honest with you. It also allowed me to be in a really gigantic ceremony, like you mentioned, because it won three National Awards. They were kind enough to give me one! I can look back on that day still and I can’t believe that happened.
Is there ever a project, a film, that you look back at and you think you could have done something better – like I could have done this scene better…
Every film (laughs). Every film. The first time I’ve seen what I’ve done, I just think “Oh, oh, what have I done? What did I just do?” I think that’s with every actor. I speak for myself when I say it is hard to be objective about yourself. You can’t just sit back and relax and think you’ve done it.
You had a recent huge success at the Tribeca Film Festival, which is huge.
Yes, the film, Tryst with Destiny (directed by Prashant Nair,
produced by Drishyam Films) won the Best Screenplay award. I can’t say I’m surprised because I’m so fond of the film. That was supposed to happen in April before we got hit by this pandemic. It’s a dream to be a part of something at Tribeca, and we won too. And some of us got actor nominations too so that’s fantastic. We were supposed to be there this April…but we’ll see how things go.
There is also the series, ‘Typewriter’. Now, Sujoy Ghosh is one of my favourite filmmakers. The stuff I watch of his will get under my skin, and of course, you have an interesting part – well parts, two distinct characters. How did you say yes to that project and what were some challenges?
I mean, how do you not say yes to that project? It’s Sujoy Ghosh and I always wanted to work for him. I had always seen him working in coffee shops and wanted to go and strike up a conversation with him and say, “I’d love to work with you one day” but I did not want to invade his personal space, so I never did that. When this came about, there were no two ways about it – one, it was him; two, it would be on Netflix; and three, the roles I got to play. There was so much about it that worked – even working with the kids.
And you’ve talked about how rewarding it can be working with kids, but it can be challenging too, no? I see this as a personal observation that a child actor can make a seasoned actor unlearn a lot of their own preconceived notions of how one should act. Did that happen for you?
Yes, it does very much. The one thing they teach you, a lesson that is very important is that children teach you to be present. What they are saying is what they are feeling. They say it with so much honesty that they forget it is a line and that they’ve learnt it. It’s my favourite thing to work with children. I used to get so absorbed just watching the children – so much to learn, and lots of unlearning that happened with me too.
How do you maintain sanity in this current pandemic because artists are creative people – how do you make sure you are feeding the creative part of your soul?
For starters, I don’t claim I’m sane (laughs). You should ask the people I’m staying with – my mom and my sister – to see if I’m sane. But jokes apart, I think every day is different. Some days are okay, some days are harder. It is important to tell yourself that whenever somebody says, “the new normal”, I always retaliate and say, “please don’t say that.” This cannot be the new normal, we need the old normal back. Just remind yourself that this is temporary. I keep in touch with friends and keep close the people I care ab out. It’s been quite a revelation in a lot of ways, actually. On good days, it can be. Even on bad days, actually. This pandemic is kind of a face-off with yourself. There are no simple answers. Everyone is taking it so differently. But that everyone also knows that we are in it together so maybe, that is making it easier.
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What I’ve learnt in theatre helps me bring out my character on screen in the right possible way.
Well, there’s no doubt that we have come a long way. Of course, it has been a gradual process. I think the audience has taken time. Not just that, I think the kind of films and content that was being a major driving force in having audiences watch stuff was not the kind of real cinema we see now. The audience was more oriented towards stardom. It’s now changed with the audience’s taste is also changing and we are now able to experiment as artists. We are able to cross the lines which we wanted to cross very long back. The kind of exposure actors are getting now, and the work we can do on different platforms is incredible. It still needs to open up even more, I would say. There is still a long way to go though. If you do not allow actors or writers to experiment enough, the audience gets comfortable with what they are given. Even they are not able to experience the changes that can be possible. Their parameters of defining a performance is also limited.
(Chuckles) Yes, it used to affect me a lot earlier in my career because I would get very attached to each and everything we did. We are also learning and growing. In my early phase, when I was in the process of exposing myself to the world, I was also understanding and experiencing different things. I would find it very hard to let go of a character. However, I have now learnt to switch on and off – I can let go more easily now. Having said that, everything I do is connected to me in some way. A part of me is going into that character. When I was, in fact, playing Natasha in Breathe: Into the Shadows, it did take me a couple of months to come out of it. I had really gotten into her as a character, as a homosexual. For a little while, I was looking at women differently. And I had to tell myself, no, this is over, you can go back now. Because I was learning and observing Natasha. I had to develop certain things within me to transform into Natasha. I had to consciously make an effort to centre myself again. Today, if you told me to pick up a character, I may be able to go back and pick it up once again. It’s quite possible.
I think that’s what works for me. If I’m feeling low, working is kind of an escapism for me. That itself is meditative for me. You can be consumed in your work and let it flow, even if there is something happening in your personal life. I’m two hundred percent attentive when I’m in front of the camera, acting. Once I’m done acting, I’m thinking again of the problem I am having.
It keeps me very grounded, firstly, which is imperative if you have to keep growing as an actor in the industry and if you do not have a Godfather and you are not part of these groups, so to say. Besides that, the most important thing when you are starting off, as a baby, are the basics you learn of a craft. Nothing teaches you better than theatre. Working on screen is a different ball game altogether because there are so many technicalities involved, with regards to the camera, your spacing. For me, it’s been a great mix of using what I learnt in theatre and use it and transform it on screen. I prefer or enjoy the screen more, because the process is more internal for me. When you are on stage, the interaction is more external as well – everything becomes more louder.
For me, this profession has involved a lot of inner work. Somewhere I think that’s what translates on screen for me. It’s not just about being in front of the camera. There’s a lot more of what goes on behind the scenes. That involves a lot of issues that go on on a day to day basis. The only way I see myself cutting off all the noise is the inner work I keep doing – constant traveling, meditation, yoga. Everyday there is a rejection call coming in, there is social media – it is not easy at all. How do I go on as an actor, as a person because there are times when you have no idea where your career is going, there is no stability. You have to keep coming back to yourself.
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There is always light after so much darkness�
SHAMA
SIKANDER Interview by Armin S.
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YOU’VE HAD A LONG AND INTERESTING JOURNEY. IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE IT, AND EXPLAIN WHY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
It’s difficult to choose one word to describe my whole journey in one word but if I had to pick one, it would be explicit, because of all of the ups and downs that I have seen, the knowledge I have gained in all these years as an artist and human; the people I’ve met – good and bad because they’ve taught me my lessons. I literally grew up in this industry. I was 14 when I started – and I learned everything from this line.
YOUR FATHER HAD A HUGE PART TO PLAY IN YOU BECOMING AN ACTOR. WHAT ROLE DOES HE PLAY NOW AND HOW IMPORTANT IS THE SUPPORT OF YOUR LOVED ONES TO YOU?
Recognized for her work on television with ‘Yeh Meri Life Hai’ as one of her very notable roles, Shama Sikander has also paved her way through films, web series, music videos, and more. A well-known face in the entertainment industry, Shama Sikander sheds light on emerging from darkness, the importance of relationships, but also the paramount need to rely on oneself.
My father did support me a lot to become an actor. He found this potential in me and thought I deserved much more in life. Unfortunately, we had a lot of financial losses in our life and I was very young but the eldest in the family. My father did not differentiate between a boy and a girl and he brought me up like a strong individual. He had a very open-minded personality. However, because he lost everything in his life at an early age and his experiences as a human being, that changed him with time, that changed the dynamic between me and my father and our relationship. I do absolutely give him all of the credit in showing me this path. I don’t think I was capable enough to see a future like this. I never even thought I was pretty enough to be an actor. I never noticed any extra special treatment – whoever gave me that, I would shy away from them like I don’t deserve it. I just didn’t have that exposure to the world. I was quite well-protected by my family. Everything my father was telling me to do in my life seemed too far-fetched, too impossible. The first person to tell me I was beautiful was my father. With time, things changed, the family dynamic changed. But I have my whole family together with me. We are there for each other. We are not living together as we used to, but we live five minutes away from each other. For me, family absolutely matters – people that you really love are what makes a life worth living. If you don’t have all that, you don’t have anything to look forward to, anybody to share your love with. Having family and not realizing their love and the power it holds in our lives is meaningless. Everybody has given me a lot of love and a lot of growth.
WHO IS SOMEONE YOU TURN TO AT YOUR LOWEST POINTS?
At my lowest points, I’m all alone by myself. I turn to myself. I learnt that I am my best friend. I accept myself wholeheartedly; I love myself for whoever I am. None of your best friends can know you one hundred percent. I go to myself at my lowest point. Then, I have James, my fiancé around me so he happens to go through it with me. He is there for me. But something you are going through, only you can get out of it. Nobody else can get you out of it because it is your own mind, your own trap. You are the only one that can get out of it because you are the one with the key to the trap. You have the final knowledge of the maze that you got stuck in. Other people can just be there and sometimes that is enough, that other people are there for you – that those people are there when you are back in your right senses. I also have amazing friends who have always supported me in every way possible.
HAVING DEALT WITH DEPRESSION AND BEING SO COURAGEOUS TO SPEAK OPENLY ABOUT IT, HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH ESPECIALLY DURING THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES?
I think I was trained to deal with these times. The five years of struggle with bipolar disorder, the struggle before that, before understanding what it was, it teaches you. Life is always uncertain. It’s not just today. Today the uncertainty is being experienced by everyone collectively but other than that, life is always uncertain. What will happen is not in your control – freedom is an illusion. I’m coming to think that our free will is an illusion – I don’t know if it actually exists. I’m learning so much about time and space and the future and past. Just because we experience life in a linear pattern doesn’t mean our life is actually linear. I do experience life in multiple dimensions through my subconscious state. My meditation helps me big time. I have had so many déjà vu moments in my life that I could never understand before. Now, I’m getting to understand that since my mind is becoming more open, and receiving, and aware through my meditations. It’s amazing that you can actually have visualizations about the future – I mean, I could go on and on about this topic. For now, I can say that that time has taught me a lot. It has made me more compassionate, more open, more receiving, more aware of any uncertainty of life. I meditate every day, without fail, morning and night. I never forget to be grateful for whatever I have been blessed with. I absolutely see a positive situation in every negative situation – even if I’m going through all the human emotions, my subconscious mind is
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“life is always uncertain.”
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INTERVIEW Nothing is more scarier than that. Every thing you do in your life, one thing you must realize is that it is just preparing us for the future. It’s unfortunate that we lose some people in this battle…but I always tell me, if I can do this, you can too. There is always light after so much darkness. There is so much overwhelming light in my life right now – I feel so happy. I experience each and every moment. I feel the wind, I feel nature, I feel like I’m a part of it. I’ve just expanded myself to the universe – I feel one with the universe. I can just feel it.
“If I have negative energy around me, it affects me.”
continuously talking to conscious mind and telling it that it’s okay, you can go through this. It also taught me how much strength we have as humans. I felt like I could never go through what I went through in life and now when I look back, I think, wow, I went through all of that. Here I am today. If you can go through depression and bipolar in your life, you can go through anything because there is nothing darker than that.
YOU’VE DONE WEB SERIES, TELEVISION, AND FILMS. TO YOU, WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST ENJOYABLE MEDIUM AND THE MOST ENJOYABLE MOMENT?
Honestly, I enjoy all of them. Let me tell you something that as an actor, I enjoy everything. But with television, there are certain limitations once you get stuck in a character, you cannot play another one. Television takes all of your time. When you play a character really well, people start to look at you as that character. They don’t know you by your real name, they know you by your character’s name, which is good and bad at the same time. As an artist, I want people to know my name. But I have been one of those lucky and blessed ones of being so famous on television, that they knew me by my name and my character’s name. I do enjoy films more because you get to play more characters faster and keep yourself busy to keep variety in life. I get very bored if I don’t have variety in the characters I play. To do the same thing would bore me. I somehow manage to enjoy wherever I work. When I sign a project, I see the whole theme, I see the vibe of theme, the project, the story, the script. I notice what kind of people they are. When you have good people around – they are honest, they are funny – You’ll enjoy each and every bit of your work. That’s why I do less projects because a lot of times I’ll say no to projects because of the people. I’m a very energy-conscious person. If I have negative energy around me, it affects me. I don’t like people who disrespect people. I don’t like people who in the name of being the captain of the ship thinks they have the right to insult or abuse anybody on the set. I really enjoyed shooting for Yeh Meri Life Hai because it was such a big television show. I enjoyed shooting for Maaya with Vikram Bhatt and his dad – they keep cracking jokes all the time. Sometimes it is hard doing sad scenes with them because they continuously make you laugh. It’s been a fun ride. I have no regrets. I feel extremely blessed to be a part of this industry and a part of this world today.
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DIBYENDU BHATTACHARYA Interview by Armin S.
YOU’VE DONE ‘DEV D’, ‘LOOTERA’, AND ‘UNDEKHI’ RECENTLY. WE NEVER REALLY HEAR ABOUT THE INSIDE STRUGGLES OF ACTORS, NOT THE STARS. WHAT MADE YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU COULD STEP INTO THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY AND PARTICIPATE IN IT IN A SUSTAINABLE FASHION?
The answer of this question must reflect my entire journey from childhood. I’ve been brought up in such a way in a family, my parents sent me for varied classes – music, drawing, table. I was also a gymnast in my childhood. I’ve been involved in such activities from childhood. I did many plays in my school. The journey of acting as a whole is an amalgamation of different art forms. As an actor, everything in life is related. Acting is an entire language, consisting of your body, heart, mind, understanding psychology. I started doing hardcore theatre in 1988 after Grade 10. I was doing theatre, including directing and acting. You end up being a theatre worker. I did college in the morning and then straight away, I was going to rehearsals, printing tickets, checking proofs – that was a completely analog era. You had to do everything on your own. In 1993, I went to the National School of Drama. I believe in studying and I believe immensely in that institution. I stayed in Delhi for three more years after that to do a lot
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more theatre. Then, I thought about doing Monsoon Wedding as my first film and the Delhi. Then that’s how the journey begins. involved in significant films, whether the ro small. So it wasn’t a sudden thought entering I would go to Bombay and do films. It is a l was a very organic journey. I’m still connecte my family, and friends. The learning is still o part-time job that I do. I have studied this a am also teaching also – I’ve coached also d – for Ishaqzaade, Arjun Kapoor; for Hasee Siddharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra; workshops for the Fukrey gang. I also workshops for children and adults. I earn butter from this industry. My work has ge work for me, so that is how it has worked. Th my family and friends has also helped me because I have always been connected with
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST LEARNING LESSON Y AN ACTOR WHEN COACHING THEM – BOTH TECHNICAL ASPECT AND FROM YOUR PERS JOURNEY?
Coaching can consist of ten days or one mon teaching them acting. But it is important fo
g cinema. I did en I moved to I was already ole was big or g my mind that long journey. It ed with my life, on. This is not a art thoroughly. I different actors e Toh Phasee, and I’ve done o do a lot of my bread and enerated more he support from in this journey h them.
INTERVIEW
THERE’S A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE AND THEN
THERE’S AN ENTIRE LIFETIME OF EXPERIENCE, AND THE LATTER IS WHAT DIBYENDU BHATTACHARYA BRINGS TO THE TABLE. WHETHER IT IS THE HIT SERIES ‘UNDEKHI’ RECENTLY, OR HIS ROLES IN ‘CRIMINAL JUSTICE’, ‘LOOTERA’, ‘DEV. D.’, OR ‘MAQBOOL’, HIS PLETHORA OF ACTING EXPERIENCE COMES FROM THE FACT THAT ACTING AND EVERYTHING THAT FLOWS FROM IT IS HIS LIFE.
know oneself. See, character build up is much more easy to do. I’m a practising actor so I know problem areas, where the actor may be getting confused – I try to solve those areas. I believe in basics. I try to coach and teach with the basics – listening to the co-actor’s dialogue carefully; going back to your own memory. Sometimes, you may have gone through something psychologically so you need to understand yourself is the core of acting. I go through that basic component. Know yourself so you don’t borrow someone else’s emotions. The emotion has to be yours. And I’m still learning every day. Every character throws me a challenge.
SO WHAT IS A MORE RECENT CHALLENGE AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME IT?
YOU GIVE TO FROM A SONAL
Characters throw you challenges because they are completely different human beings. Even two cops can be different – one from Punjab, one from Bengal. Don’t go by the uniform/the costume – they are two different human beings. Those are challenges for me and I try to be aware of making sure I am true to my character and not just the costume.
nth – so I’m not or the actor to
UNDEKHI – EVERYONE HAS BEEN SAYING THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THEIR EYES AND EARS
OFF THE SHOW. HOW DO YOU COME OUT OF A PROJECT LIKE THAT AND MAKE SURE IT DOESN’T AFFECT YOU ON A PERSONAL LEVEL?
Undekhi, yes, is getting a lot of applause from the viewers and the fraternity. The show is very relevant today – it is talking about a huge spectrum of our life, of our society. One is very powerful, rich; one is the oppressed and suppressed class. One murder is happening to end thousands of years of abuse; another murder is about the mind and how connected you are. Both are criminals yet both murderers are going through the experiences of what they just did very differently. As an actor, you cannot be judgmental when you are playing a character. As an actor, you cannot take a stance. But when I watch the show, as a human being, I realized how real it is. You realize you don’t want to be in this type of society. See, every human being is flawed and actors are flawed so when we play a character, we must bring those flaws to the surface and do justice to the character. But the overall experience of that shoot was fantastic because it was also a fantastic team. It was such a light-hearted unit. Physically, it was raining, snowing – because we were shooting in Manali – but everyone was on the same page, and nobody was complaining so it was a fantastic experience.
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INTERVIEW
AZHAR KHAN
ED T R A T S L L A T WHEN I UR… WITH A RUMO in S.
Interview by Arm
Usman in ‘Seays la p o h w , an h zhar K g lls us an interestin te , s’ g in et re G ’s son ted a journey that star … ey rn u jo is h of story escribes himself as d e h s A r. ou m ru off as a net, we laugh la p e th on y u g t the lazies us an introduces iv g e h as ay w along the an actor and as a as is e h o h w to tion person.
A
48 BollywoodFilmFame.com
INTERVIEW
me Wanting to Beco of n io at liz ea R t Firs for my an Actor in college. I came
I was It all started when a rumour in my Pune. There was in s die stu business n’t know from do s a model – I wa I t tha ge lle co ney from my get my pocket mo mobile and where. I used to kin e, a nice loo g bik a ht ug bo I r. fathe delling. People it was from mo people thought nds suggested to me. Some frie started looking up s no harm in wa e er Th it out then. work and that I should try me so started getting ppened, ha trying. Slowly, I s thi w, ay. And no traveling to Bomb gs. Seasons’s Greetin
mera a professional caen I was wh First time facing s wa ck ba en years
rte Some twelve, thi vie got shelved. It mera but that mo ca the ing first fac lebrity, there are ce a feeling – like was a very funny le taking care of le standing, peop hundreds of peop ur clothes. you, your food, yo
ing What kept you go life and sometwo years of my
k See, that film too ferent goals for se. I had some dif how it did not relea d decided for ferent plans. I ha my life, some dif a certain way. life nted to live my wa I t tha lf se my k a step back not release, I too When that film did . I saw a lot of ne n business in Pu ow my d rte sta d an g their youth, and girls, spendin my life like good-looking guys nt wa try. I did not us ind s thi for s, year ttled and more life to be more se that. I wanted my guy on this earth the most laziest quieter. I may be But I never lost . ce pa y had my so…Pune as a cit e I don’t leave industry becaus touch with the ish things. This fin to ddle. I like anything in the mi I’m here. going – and now patience kept me
gs’ t with me in ‘Season’s Greetin mal Mukherjee, me
Ka My director, Ram and he came to nowned author re a is He Pune. a friend, who is ug e event. Thro h d Pune for a literatur that he contacte the film, I found no d ha I e, the producer of tim t tha my pictures. At me and asked for g time back. I ne pictures a lon do d ha I – portfolio ys, he again da film. But after ten the on sy ea s wa pictures again. He asked for my called me back. ng serious. thi maybe this is some me personThen, I thought, et me to d erjee wante eting with Ram Kamal Mukh me t in Bombay. My firs u get the yo ally once. I met him w, ho me So ee hours. working is him went on for thr ng thi eframe, that some n about tio feeling, in that tim ma or inf ch ing out so mu ng, he eti me for you. He is giv cond aracter. In the se t time, firs the movie, the ch the for me he had seen en wh t tha t “my me tha d tol ught him, he had tho sa wa at Th walking towards .” ng mi ’s name) is co ter ac ar (ch n ma Us . big moment for me
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INTERVIEW
Paying Homage to Fazilpur:
Fazilpuria Interview by Armin S.
YOU ARE FROM FAZILPUR BUT WHAT MADE YOU CHANGE YOUR STAGE NAME TO FAZILPURIA?
I am from a village called Fazilpur, and I want to promote my village so that’s why I had decided to change my artist name as Fazilpuria just to make my village and Haryana proud.
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO MUSIC?
That’s a really great question, basically in past, no one could recognise the Haryana music industry very well, so I always had a dream to make my Haryana proud and do something really well for the Haryana industry so this was my inspiration. Also just to add one more thing, in my childhood, I was really good and active in extra curricular activities like music and dance, so this was my main aim to become a successful singer who can represent Haryana Industry.
YOUR COLLABORATION WITH BADSHAH, “CHULL”, WORKED WONDERS WITH THE YOUTH. WHAT IS THE BOND YOU SHARE WITH HIM?
Badshah and I share a really good brotherhood bond. What both of us like in music is the same. We gel really well, and the bond is touchwood so strong, so the youth really appreciate us.
His latest track, “Haryana
Roadways” is making waves. Fazilpuria, who named himself after the village he came from, wants to make a mark keeping his identity in mind. 50 BollywoodFilmFame.com
“HARYANA ROADWAYS” IS YOUR LATEST TRACK, AGAIN A COLLABORATION WITH BADSHAH? YOU HAIL FROM HARYANA AND THE ROADS MEAN A LOT TO YOU. WHEN YOU THINK OF YOUR SONG, WHAT IS A CHILDHOOD MEMORY THAT COMES TO MIND?
When I think of “Haryana Roadways” song, my childhood memory is that I used to travel in Roadways’ buses which are the main source of transportation. I have come from the roots of Haryana and I like every bit of culture which is desi and unique.
