Aparshakti Khurana Will Always Prefer Acting Over Heroism In Bollywood, Says Audience Is Intelligent Now
He came into Bollywood with a blockbuster like Dangal and has only been getting better with every film. Unlike other actors, who are enjoying this lockdown and calling it a break, this actor has only been taking on more projects. He even started his own Instagram chat show during the pandemic where he gets his celebrity friends to have a chat. Yes, he's aatma-nirbhar and has 'done it all'.?
Bollywood actor Aparshakti is a singer, actor, musician, anchor and a social media influencer. And he loves being associated with every medium that offers him and the audience great content.?
Speaking to Indiatimes exclusively, Aparshakti said it's going to keep going in different ways even during the pandemic. "Lockdown is definitely not the apt situation to be in but it has taught us how to be independent. I really believe that your work has to keep you occupied in the best possible way."
Aparshakti has already done cover songs, digital collaborations and interviews in these 5 months
While many of us were working from home and celebs were working out and baking, this actor too was making the most of this break. Speaking about the same, Apar said, "After the lockdown, sooner or later, we will be back on films sets, or award shows, hence you have to keep your creative brain storming intact . So I didn't want to lose the momentum, hence I continued with my talking, with my tempo and attitude of doing interviews with my Bollywood friends on Instagram. It's important to be busy during lockdown, I did cover songs, digital collaborations and interviews as well."? ?
I still don't believe I have become an actor which is why I don't behave like one?
Right from the first film, Dangal to his recent one, Pati Patni Aur Woh, the actor has only given hits. He still doesn't know he's a star yet and likes it like that. He says, "I hope it lasts for long because then it keeps your innocence intact, your realism intact, organic upbringing intact which not only helps you to keep your personal relationships in the best of spirits but it also makes you a better artist. When you go on a set, you go so raw, so empty that when your director wants you, you can easily surrender. The audience can tell from the body language if it's a star or an actor. So organic behaviour is important."? ?
Apar feels it's not an easy journey for TV anchors who want to become actors?
We see a lot of Radio Jockeys and TV hosts going a step further and entering Bollywood. We have all seen them try their hands at acting but Apar says not everyone can be successful.
"People might think that hosts can become actors but it's not everyone's cup of tea. For anchoring, you need a certain baritone and you look into the camera while talking. On the other hand, for the actor, he has to pretend that there is no camera, has to be softer, it has to be more conversational."
Did you know! Way before Dangal, Aparshakti auditioned for Indian Idol?
Speaking about his first ever audition, Apar recalls, "I was in first year of college when I gave my audition. That was the first time I went to Mumbai from Chandigarh and sat alone in a plane. That taught me a lot. Not just creativity, you learn a lot of other things, whether its presenting yourself or traveling alone. The overall experience makes you responsible and gives you exposure. And my first acting audition was for Saath Uchake and Babbo Ki Jawaani which never came out."
Infact, not many know but Apar also featured in an episode for a weekend show called Star Horror nights where he played the role of a RJ.??
I can't credit for my success but yes I wasn't looking for something heroic?
Upon entering Bollywood, Aparshakti did not have a list of things he wanted in his movies or roles. He says, "The movies came my way, I liked them and did it. I did not specifically look for anything extra, heroic or over the top." He only wanted these movies to have an interesting world. "I love the scripts and I opted them on the basis of content. I hold onto basics and that's helped me not have concerns over the length of my part."
It was high time straight face comedy came into Bollywood?
Whether it's Pankaj Tripathi, Jeetendra, Abhishek Banerjee or Aparshakti, they tickle your funny bone without cracking up themselves. Apar is glad that comedians are no longer caricaturish. Speaking about the straight face comedy, he says, "Now it's organic. You say something quirky and the audience knows its funny. Timing is very important. Paradigm shift came at the right time and thankfully I was a part of it too. It's important to study the market sensibilities. Now audience understands what's funny even when you are not laughing."
Working in the right director is hard - whether it's being in Bollywood or being a judge in court?
Just like any other actor, Aparshakti has seen his own set of struggles too. "I did get a big break in Dangal but it's not like I wasn't an actor before the film. I was an actor before Dangal but I wasn't getting the right projects. So I did theatre and got money back home. Apar says there is struggle in every field and in every profession. "If you want to become a hero, then Bollywood is difficult but if you want to be an actor, you can always do nukkad natak or theatre. Who the hell can stop you from doing street play."
Remembering his early days as an actor, Apar says, "I was an actor at 22 when I was doing plays. If you want to be a hero, then that's your problem but if you want to be an actor, then you can perform anywhere. I have done roles which are for 5 minutes. My upcoming film Helmet is my solo lead but that doesn't mean I won't play a second lead again. I will always choose acting over heroism."
?Who doesn't want to be in Bollywood as a lead hero!?Of course, I want to be one too?
Aparshakti is in movies with a purpose - to be a lead hero of a commercial potboiler but is that his ultimate goal and he denies. "Every playback singer wants to feature in his own songs. There is a reason why singers have started coming out with their singles. It never used to happen earlier, hence they were labelled as 'playback' singers. Similarly every actor wants to feature as a lead actor but I don't just want to become a lead actor. I want to work each day of my life and if it takes me as a musician, anchor, TV star, serious actor to be that, I am 100 percent open to that. My end goal is to work each day till I die."
Ayushmann is playing for the world cup & I am yet to make it to the qualifying team?
He looks upto his elder brother and calls him the talented one out of two. Apar is done with the comparison between the two brothers because he feels it's important to be equal to be compared.
Speaking about it, he says, "One team wins the world cup but there is a qualifying round to play that round. Currently, I am not one of those 12 teams to play the World Cup. Let me reach there before the comparison. Those countries are Ayushmann Khuranna, Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh and Varun Dhawan. You know the 10 people playing the World cup, I am infact their support staff."
He adds, "There are so many people who have come before me and have still not made a mark like mine but there is no comparison. It's very situational. I am acting for my own growth. I am not even as talented as Ayush bhaiya."
Despite the pandemic, silver screen is not going anywhere?
Apar feels it's a tradition that cannot phase? You can show films on TV, OTT or any other platform, audience will still go out to watch films. People will go wherever there is good content. The Bachchans and Khan stardom and culture may gradually phase away because now everyone is approachable. Whether its meet and greet, social media, Instagram lives, Phone camera, now you can capture video and audio is easily accessible with stars unlike older times.??
