You may not recognise Brijendra Kala by his namebut his face will instantly remind you what an amazing actor he is! Known for doing small roles in mainstream cinema, Kala has come along way.?
His recent release Sherni too has brought him a lot of appreciation that he rightly deserves.
Recalling his initial days in the industry, Brijendra said,
¡° I have really spent a long time here. When I had arrived that time it was only cinema. Earlier, there was a time when the makers wanted only good looking heroes and even good looking villains. Actors like me who didn¡¯t have a pleasing personality had to face a lot of difficulties. Even today I haven¡¯t understoodthis kind of mentality where good looks is the utmost priority.¡±
Adding further about his survival, he said, ¡°I used to not only do acting. I started writing as well; I have done any andevery work to keep myself stable in this industry. Whenever I used to get opportunity in acting I used to take up anyrole. But I have never faced that time where I was jobless. I have been workingin any and every situation be it as an actor or writer. I kept fighting. Yes, there was a time when I didn¡¯t like the work but I had to do it for the survival¡±.
Brijendra decided one day that he is done working indaily soaps and will only work in cinema as it is his only true love,?
¡°One day I decided that I will not work in daily soaps and I took abreak only to wait and get good work in cinema. There was a film calledMithya which was a game changer for me. Then I got Paan Singh Tomar and after that film, I started getting good work, AnkhonDekhi, Bhootnath Returns, PK, MS Dhoni and lot more.¡±
Despite the journey being so hard, Brijendrasays he never had any regrets,?
¡°No. I've not had any regrets and never ever thoughtwhy I came here. In fact, I always thought that if god forbid, I don¡¯t get muchwork in the industry and have to do some other jobs for living, I would stillcome back to cinema because that¡¯s my eternal love.¡±
Talking about the importance of characterartists like him in the industry, Brijendra said,?
¡°Character artists have always beena significant part of cinema, you see Mehmood Saab , Johnny Walker and so manyothers used to have a parallel track along with the lead actors.? Youjust need one chance to prove yourself, and I got that opportunity with Mithyaand Paan Singh Tomar where actually people saw my work and appreciated it andthat¡¯s when I saw success.¡±
Talking about not getting his due, Brijendrasaid,?
¡°What actors like us need is to get a full-fledged role so that he or she can create magic with it. Awards are our dues. There are so many artistswho struggle every day to get that one appreciation, and they all need that one opportunity?to prove themselves.
Further adding he said, ¡°Only big actors get to choose their roles, actors like us have to show our talent in that one role which has been given to us. I always felt whatever you get just prove yourself. Maukape chauka lagana padta hai.¡±
Talking about his regrets in life, Brijendrasaid,?
¡°I don¡¯t have any regret but I always felt that had I got work in myyoung days, it would have been so good. Today, I would make something, but it¡¯s okay. At present, I am doing good work and a lot of it, it¡¯s never too late. Everybody doesn¡¯t getsuccess in this industry. I have also faced a time where I had to wait foralmost one and half years to get work. When I had no work that's when I got Jab We Met and Idid it."
In the end, we asked Brijendra what¡¯shis biggest achievement as an actor is - he instantly said - recognition,?
¡°My biggestachievement as an actor is that people recognise me, they appreciate my styleof acting, that¡¯s it.¡±
Brijendra Kala, you truly are an inspiration.