1.Tell us about your background and journey.
I was born in Delhi as the youngest child amongst 7 siblings. Altogether, we were 8 of us, 4 brother's and 4 sister's. I had a wonderful childhood because of being the youngest in my family. I was a very pampered child and got everything I asked for nevertheless I was very well behaved.
I was a student at the famous St Xavier's High School. During my schooling days I had the opportunity to do a lot of theatre which was part of our curriculum and which was mandatory in some ways. My school had a music and theatre course which was part of our extra subjects and we were fortunate to have the famous Barry John teach us theatre at that time.
All through my schooling and learning theatre I was part of some very good plays that our school had put together for public viewing. The plays we did were, Oliver Twist, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mikado, Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat, The Who's Tommy and kids stuff. I also took part in the One Act play festivals we had every year.
I remember when I was in the 11th, I happened to have a chance meeting with Dev Anand's daughter, Devina at a party in Delhi. She asked me if I would be interested in acting in a film her father (Dev Sahab) was going to be starting and which was going to be based on college politics. She said that if I ever came to Bombay soon I should come look her up and that she would introduce me to her father.
As luck would have it my Dussehra vacations came along and I headed to Bombay which was my favourite holiday destination at that time. After reaching Bombay, I got in touch with Devina who asked me to come to her residence in Juhu. There, I met Dev sahab who immediately asked me if I would like to be a hero in films, to which I replied, "sir if you think am worth being a hero then I would have no hesitation at all being a hero".
At that very moment, I was casted for the film titled Hum Naujawan and my shooting would be held according to my convenience as per my school vacations. I had the opportunity to work out my dates amicably with the Navketan Films Production house and I flew from Delhi to Bombay and then by road to Pune to shoot for the film at the Deccan College.
I was back to Delhi while the shooting carried on for about another year. I finished my schooling and passed with very impressive marks in my boards and after that I got a sports quota scholarship to study in any Xavier's institute in India so I choose to come and study at the famous St Xavier's College of Bombay which was situated near the famous Metro Cinema.
I recollect that the film released in my first year of college and I was appreciated a lot by my friends and acquaintances in college. I started being offered ad films and did a few too for ad film maker Pralhad Kakkar and John Mathew. During one of my trips back to Delhi on the Rajdhani Express I happened to meet a gentleman who asked me about a pair of shoes I as wearing.
The man turned out to be Aanand Mahendroo a famous TV Director who had just finished making Idhar Udhar for Doordarshan and was about to start making a TV series based on time travel.
He got talking to me on the journey and by the time we parted as he had offered me the protagonists role in his serial. The serial was called Indradhanush and during my college days I was fortunate to have shot the pilot episode which as a norm in those days for approvals on the channel.
The serial got it's approval 2 years later and when i had finished my college and headed off to Calcutta to do business with TATA'S I was asked to come back by Anand to complete the show as he had got a telecast date for the same. I hesitated and refused to come as life had moved on for me but he insisted I came and finish the shoot which would not take more than a month or two and I could go back to do my business.
I came to Bombay to finish the serial which was only 1 episodes at that time. After we started shooting and the episodes were being aired on TV every Sunday morning, I got a call from Mr Mahesh Bhatts office. His chief assistant Ravi Rai who was going to debuting as a director, offered me the film as the lead (hero).
That's how my journey as a full fledged professional actor started and is still going strong, thanks to God......The rest is history.
2. Did you ever think or dream of doing a tv show?
Not exactly. I was always hell bent on becoming an Air Force Pilot which didn't work out as my mother put her foot down when I was to give my UPSC exam. Thereafter,I decided to become a business entrepreneur and after finishing college I headed to Calcutta to do leather business.
3. How can one approach their career and have the confidence and belief to make it on a tv show?
Now, It is expected of you to have had some formal training as an actor before you go finding for acting jobs. So enroll yourself in some workshops or with a good acting school. The waiting can take months and even years too. So patience and perseverance is the key to making it.
Get a good model coordinator who must have good connections in the industry and knows where work is happening. You must be determined to succeed as the way one gets breaks here has changed tremendously. Watch a lot of latest films to see what is happening and trending on the acting and stories front. Read as many books as you can on direction and acting as they go hand in hand.
With the help of social media platforms you can start making videos to see what you lack or what your forte is as a performer. That could be comedy, action, emotional or just serious. Try everything that will enhance your skills.
DO NOT GET DISTRACTED BY THE LIFE STYLE IN MUMBAI, Specially if you come from small towns or humble backgrounds. Take time out to go to offices of producers and have them meet you. If that does not happen don't feel dejected, it's all a part of the territory you have entered. Don't ever feel like nothing is working out.
If you have the spirit and the talent you will be taken seriously. Work out a lot, exercise keeps the mind positive. Eat well and keep a good time table of your life. Careless and frivolous behaviour with glamour struck aspiration is a NO;NO. I you want to get somewhere in this place learn to be persistent in your approach. NEVER GIVE UP.
4. If not this, what would you be doing?
I would have either been a business entrepreneur or a farmer. The combination of both is what I strive to achieve shortly. Since I come from a family of farmers I want to continue with the legacy .
5. For a complete outsider with inroads, what advice would you like to give?
I think if a newcomer has inroads he must be able to use them well. Not all newcomer's have inroads but for those who have them it is an advantage. Stay focused on doing your best when an opportunity comes your way from the inroad source.
Stay humble and never grow out of your boots. Loyalty to those who give you breaks (inroads) must be maintained. Stay connected as much as you can so that when anything new is being set up you should become a part of it. Don't take things for granted because the competition is fierce and being attentive to pursuing your career prospects must be continually pursued.
6. What is your mantra of success?
It is never too late to be what you might have been.
7. Which is your favorite book and why?
The Alchemist.
It has so many inspirational lessons hidden in it. Inspires one to pursue his/her dreams by following what his/her heart desires. Our soul is the guiding force of our lives and it is only you who has the awareness of your soul's desire.
We all fall but must learn to pick ourselves up and move ahead again. When you want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. So never give up, never give in, there's always something better waiting for you to discover.
We sometimes overlook the simplest things in our life which are actually the most extraordinary things. Be passionate. Be you. Don't be afraid to fail. Overcome fear. And the most important inspiration I found in this book was: WHEREVER YOUR HEART IS, THERE YOU WILL FIND YOUR TREASURE.
- Akshay Anand
Interview By - Anshika Sharma
0 Comments