If somebody wants to get into the acting field, they should know the craft. Looks matter but looks won’t get you the work you want. Your art will get you to the work you want, and looks are temporary they might go away sooner or later but your craft will keep on improving and will be with you till the end of your life.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
I belong to a middle-class family. Typical Delhi boy and used to be mama’s boy. My mom used to take me to different auditions, she wanted to see me do something in this field so one day, she took me to an audition which mash studio was doing.
Mash studio afterwards changed to images Bazar I guess anyways so that time Rajat Tomas also got his portfolio made by them only. That time folio was very important. So yeah after that I participated in Mr and miss teen India contest when I was in 10th in which I was in top 10 and then you know they asked for money, and my father was a strict no-no to the payment for the contest thing.
Then afterwards, when I passed the school, my mom got my portfolio done by Manish, who has his office in Gurugram, which landed me a couple of prints and ramps. I worked with India pictures, images Bazar, Ritu Beri's couture week etc.
Then in December 2013, my father passed away. He was my strength, and I was 20 soon to be 21. I was a bit depressed because he was not with us and like the only place I loved that time was being in the gym because sari narazagi sara gussa main gym mein nikal deta that (Because I used to take out all the stress and anger in the gym)
After some time, I met my mom’s friend, who is my godfather, Mr Chokkas Bhardwaj. He took me under his wing and told me to come to Mumbai and start something in the acting field. At first, I was like aise hi thodi na koi bolega to main chala jaunga Mumbai mein main kisi ko janta thodi hun (why would anyone call me to Mumbai just like that, I don't even know anyone there).
But you know bhagwan ne ek baap liya to dusra de diya. Uncle asked me to stay with him till the time I struggled. I was with them at their place for almost a week, and then I started living in their office and did an acting course from Roshan Taneja's acting classes.
It was wonderful there. I met so many great people. I met Meera Deosthale there, she is a very good friend. We learnt a lot and had so much fun. Then after doing the course, I started giving auditions but no luck. I still had to learn a lot.
After 2 years, I got this serial Nagarjuna which used to air on start plus. I did a cameo in that but iske baad gaadi chalu ho gyi thi (but after this, things started falling into place). I have been working since last 4 and a half years now and have done 8 to 9 serials. People in the industry know me as a decent actor, but still, I believe there’s a lot to learn.
2. Did you ever think or dream of being an actor?
Never. As I told you, my mom used to take me to the auditions. I was always like kaun itni mehnat karega ke script yaad karo fir camere ke saamne prepare karo (who will put so many efforts in learning the script and speaking in front of the camera). But now I love stepping into other people's shoes.
3. How can one approach their career and have the confidence and belief to become an actor?
Everybody is an actor. We do a lot of acting in front of our parents when we want something from them, or we hide something from them. If somebody wants to get into the acting field, he should know the craft, looks matter but looks won’t get you the work you want.
Your craft will get you to the work you want, and looks are temporary they might go away sooner or later but your art will keep on improving and will be with you till the end of your life. I always say one should always have the confidence and believe in whatever he wants to do.
If you want to work in the TV industry or in the film industry, you should come to Mumbai and start giving auditions. Start struggling I believe Mumbai takes time like if you want to find work in Mumbai. Mumbai will test you and your patience.
It will test your faith so you should never give up. Struggles are a part of life and will teach you a lot of things, so just believe in yourself and keep working hard. Sooner or later you will definitely find some good work, but the main thing is that you keep on improving and keep on finding suitable work. Never give up.
4. If not this, what would you be doing?
If not acting I guess I would have been in Delhi working in fuel as an accountant. I was actually doing a chartered accountancy course, and I dropped in between I cleared my foundation and my first group, but I never gave the second group exam.
Actually, when my father passed away, his partner took over the business when I told him that I want to join my father’s business Used to say you know you should complete your CA first then afterwards you can join the business.
He said he will be sending my share, but within like 2 to 3 weeks, he closed the firm and took over the staff, the computer files and everything. He soon vanished, and I called him a lot, but he used to never pick up my phone. His name is Ram, but he acted like a Ravan.
I was always good at maths and accounts and used to love these two subjects. So I guess if not an actor I would have been a mega job going person who sits at the desk from 9 to 5.
5. For a complete outsider with inroads, what advice would you like to give?
If you want to get into acting, you should know the craft. Start developing your acting skills, start working on yourself. Read some books and join a theatre if you want to improve your acting skills.
Camera acting is different from theatre acting because theatre acting is very loud, but for the camera, you don’t have to be that loud. For all the young ones, I would like to say if you want to join this field, it is a gamble. You should always have a backup.
People who never had a backup and got success in this field are lucky ones. You might not be lucky. Develop your craft and improve your skills if you can have a backup. I didn’t have a backup too, and I rely on this field and but yes, I am working on my back up.
6. What is your mantra of success?
My mantra of success is to keep working hard. Time will get you there, and you will get what you deserve. Nobody can take that away from you.
7. Which is your favourite book, and why?
I haven’t read a lot of books, but yes, recently I’ve been reading Henry Charrierre’s Papillon, and it’s definitely one of my favourite books.
Tushar Chawla
Actor
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