BOLLYWOOD ACTOR ABHISHEK BACHCHAN RETURNS TO THE BIG SCREEN IN MANMARZIYAAN

by ASJAD NAZIR

ABHISHEK BACHCHAN ON THE FILM AND DIRECTOR THAT INSPIRED CINEMA RETURN.

POPULAR actor Abhishek Bachchan makes a welcome return to the big screen in this week’s big Bollywood release Manmarziyaan.

He stars alongside Vicky Kaushal and Taapsee Pannu in the Punjab-set romantic drama about a woman torn between two very different men.

The latest film from acclaimed director Anurag Kashyap has taken the talented star into a brand new space with a challenging role and reinvigorated him. Eastern Eye caught up with Abhishek to discuss Manmarziyaan, acting, inspirations and more...

Why did you decide to take a break from acting; you have been missed...

First of all, thank you. Wow. Why? Quite simply put Asjad, I think I had reached a stage where I felt I needed to just re-evaluate what I was doing, how I was doing it and why. Reassess and repackage!

I’ve always felt that sometimes in life when you feel you are at a bit of a dead end, it is good to just pause, go back to basics and get a different perspective in life. That was the intention behind maybe not working for a period of time. Just to reignite the passion for doing what you are doing!

You have been linked to a lot of projects in the last few years, so what did you like about Manmarziyaan?

It just felt right. There was no big thought process. When the discussions happened and everything fell into place, it just felt right. Every bone in my body was telling me this is the one, just go with it. That is just what I did. It was a very instinctive decision.

Manmarziyaan seems to be one of the most performance-driven roles you have done in a while. Is that what attracted you?

I wouldn’t necessarily agree. I think the last few films I did, be it a Housefull, Happy New Year or Bol Bachchan required a lot of work from my end. They were difficult films to do. I will agree this was a different style and approach altogether. Also Anurag’s cinema is very different from what I am used to. So it was very challenging for me, yes.

What was the biggest challenge you faced playing this role?

I think to keep audiences invested in him and keep him as likeable as possible. When you are in a film and your co-actors’ characters are very high on energy and so flamboyant, and in comes this character who is very subtle, mature and subdued, it

is very easy to label him as boring.

So keeping the audience engaged and invested in this character was the biggest challenge. That is something Anurag and I spoke a lot about and really tried to work on.

What is Anurag Kashyap like as a director to work with?

It was a sheer pleasure, it really was! It was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. I thoroughly enjoyed him as a director and enjoyed the actor I was under his direction. Everything about him was great.

I don’t think you have enough print space for me to properly say how I feel having worked for him. It has been an absolute honour and a pleasure.

Anurag is known to take his actors out of their comfort zones. Did he do that with you?

Absolutely, and that was one of the main reasons why I was so happy to work with him. It is because I knew he was going to push me. I knew he was going to make me uncomfortable. I knew he was going to challenge me, and that is exactly what I needed.

Did your approach as an actor change or did you use the same method as before?

Anurag liked everything to be done organically. He doesn’t like to plan out these things too much and likes a certain amount of ‘on the spot’ creativity.

He loves to discuss the character and film, then he gives the actors space to kind of just create what naturally comes to them. Once he sees that, he then starts tweaking. So his process I would say in that way is very organic. He just likes to give his actors space and then reacts to that instinctively.

Do you have a favourite moment in the movie?

There are several moments in the movie I love and ones I had a lot of fun shooting. My character goes on a great journey.

There are wonderful moments between Robbie and Rumi that I really enjoyed working on.

You shot in the Punjab; what did you like about it most?

I loved everything about it, but if there is one thing I loved most it has to be the authentic

lassi. The best in the world!

How much are you looking forward to Manmarziyaan premiering at the Toronto Film Festival?

I am very excited. I have never had a film premiere at a major film festival like this. I am more excited to share the film with everybody, keen to know what they think and how they react to it. I think it is a film that today’s youth is really going to understand and get. It is made truly for them.

What Anurag is trying to say through the film and what Kanika Dhillon, the writer, is trying to say through her words is something they are really going to associate with and really appreciate. So I am excited to share it, especially with the youth.

You are experienced but do you feel nervous ahead of a release?

I am still a bag of nerves ahead of a release. It wrecks you!

You have been linked with various projects, but have you decided on your next one?

There are two of three projects that are lined up, which I am due to start shooting after Manmarziyaan releases. I have always been a bit shy of talking about a project until the producer gives us the go ahead.

Once the producer is ready with everything to announce the film is when I will be at liberty

to speak about them. But what I can say is that there aren’t going to be very long gaps now. There is going to be back-to-back work.

There has been a lot of talk about Dhoom 4; what is happening with that?

Dhoom 4, as far as I know, is not happening. I have not heard anything from (producer)

Adi (Chopra). Usually when Adi is ready with the story of Dhoom, he tells me: ‘Okay, we

are ready and this is when we are starting’. He has not spoken to me about that, so Dhoom 4 is not happening as of now.

You have produced, but can you see yourself directing a movie?

Asjad, it’s very difficult to say never, but I can say pretty confidently for now that in the immediate future I don’t see myself doing it. Direction is a discipline I don’t have right now. It is also an urge that I don’t have right now.

I am just happy being back doing acting, and that is something I really want to do. I want to produce more films as well. So direction is something quite honestly I haven’t even given a thought to.

Which movie have you really loved in recent years as an audience member?

There are so many! Being an actor and someone who has grown up in the film industry, my

respect for anyone who manages to make a film is immense. I know what it takes, so I have enjoyed watching so many films.

Today, what motivates and inspires you most as an actor?

I think it has to be the sheer love of doing what you do. It has to inspire you, so it is as simple and as difficult as that.

As an actor, you must be happy with how many diverse subjects Hindi cinema is tackling?

Absolutely! I also think the internet has played a huge part because it allows you to exhibit a lot more of your work. It is such an exciting time to be part of films, be it as an actor, producer, director, technician or musician. It really is an exciting period, so I’m blessed and thankful that I get the opportunity to act in films right now.

You have a lot of interests, including football. What are your other big passions?

Right now, my world is kind of consumed by my movies and sports, be it my football or kabaddi team. Coupled with my film work, that kind of encapsulates everything that I do.

What are your hopes for your beloved Chelsea football club this season?

So far I think (manager) Maurizio Sarri is showing promise. There is a bit of work to be done, but it’s looking better than anyone thought it would be at the start of the season. It has been a strong start and it should be very exciting.

Why should we watch Manmarziyaan?

You know I have never been able to answer this question, but a nice way to put it is that I think today’s generation is really going to understand what the characters stand for, voicing the opinion they have.

I think everyone who sees the film will see a bit of themselves in it, including seeing a dilemma they have been in emotionally. So I think there will be a lot of relatable aspects.

• Manmarziyaan is in cinemas now.