In a real sense, an actor undergoes an extensive training where he develops an understanding of everything ranging from setting techniques to acting skills. The famous- “Light, Camera and Action” actually involves the finer points of all three! So, I feel that one must learn what one wants to earn.
I come from a simple family residing in Uttar Pradesh, my father being an officer of Indian Forest services, I got an opportunity to be close to nature and also visited various places.
My journey is nothing different from any other boy that belongs to a middle-class family, where education is given utmost priority, and my decision of becoming an actor was as surprising for my family members as in any normal family it could have been. But I got a complete and full-fledged family support to pursue my dreams.
2. When did you first decide you wanted to pursue acting and how did you start?
2. When did you first decide you wanted to pursue acting and how did you start?
Well! Such things are not sudden, they don’t pop out of a blue moon.
Acting is an art: and Art is all about harmony, that’s why it is gradual but steady. It’s either there in you or not.
Since school days, I was into dramatics, always gave my best to whatever character I played and earned appreciation. In my college days when I was pursuing B. Sc. from Lucknow University, one of my batch-mates asked me to join theatre.
And thus started my journey with an influential theatre group “Darpan” where I was fortunate to have worked under Urmil Kumar Thapliyal Sir, Anand Sharma sir and also did many shows with the versatile theatre actor Dr Anil Rastogi. I learnt a lot from these geniuses.
This journey led me to the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune (FTII, PUNE) where I received the formal education, teaching and training of the kaleidoscopic world of cinema.
Eventually, I landed into Bollywood where I became a part of some wonderful movies like- Trapped, NH-10, Saand Ki Aankh, Mirza Juliet, Gunjan Saxena.
Along with these I also kept working in various short films which are Laghu Shanka and one fine night.
Working with Rajit Kapoor sir, in a few plays in Mumbai is one of the milestones along with the best actor award that I received in the year 2015 for my play “Normal”, in thespo: the renowned Youth Theatre Festival organised in Prithvi Theatre every year.
I also worked with Dubai Parks & Resorts taking the lead in their theatre group the famous JAAN-E-JIGAR Broadway Bollywood musical show for two consecutive years and finally came back to Mumbai to experience some other untouched avenues.
Currently, I am playing the character of Samrat in a daily soap “Ghum Hai Kisi Ke Pyaar Mein”, broadcasted on Star Plus.
3. How can one approach their career and have the confidence and belief to make it on films and TV shows?
Trust me in this when I say that believing in yourself is the first step towards your dreams.
As far as confidence is concerned, your depth of knowledge about your work plays a pivotal role in that. As I said that Acting is an art, it involves a broad range of skills, so it’s important for one to learn the artistry, the specifics of the craft, the finer points that are employed.
In a real sense, an actor undergoes an extensive training where he develops an understanding of everything ranging from setting techniques to acting skills. The famous- “Light, Camera and Action” actually involves the finer points of all three!
So, I feel that one must learn what one wants to earn.
4. If not this, what would you be doing?
So, I feel that one must learn what one wants to earn.
4. If not this, what would you be doing?
Had I not been an actor I would definitely been in Defence services and served the nation.
5. For a complete outsider with inroads, what advice would you like to give?
Well, I don’t believe in this theory of outsider. In India we all are insiders, drama is in our blood.
Since childhood, I heard my grandfather talking about Dilip Kumar Ji, Sanjeev Kumar Sir, Nargis ma’am, Saira Banu Ji and various other actors and actresses of his time. He knew almost everything about them and always loved sharing it with us.
So, I would never say that I am an outsider. Besides, I am also accepted open-handedly and given every opportunity where I fitted. So the only thing I would advise to all those aspiring to become an actor is that learn the skills, educate yourself and keep sharpening the skills you have learnt as even in Bollywood also your skills are respected.
If one has the ability and wants to work the world is open and opportunities are provided.
6. What is your mantra of success?
6. What is your mantra of success?
I would again say that believing in your dreams is the first step towards it but for making it come true is a long way to go and for that one needs to devote oneself truly and completely. One needs to work more and more to make everything work for you eventually.
7. Which is your favourite book and why?
There are many books that I like but the one I love the most is “The Outsider” a novel written by Albert Camus that demonstrates the dark sides of human nature.
I specifically love the way the protagonist of the novel, Meursault, is drawn; who keeps himself alienated from the stream of events surrounding him, his indifference towards human passions and superficiality towards relationships are noteworthy and amusing. “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho is another masterpiece I enjoyed dipping in.
- Yogendra Vikram Singh (Actor, Worked in Trapped, NH-10, Saand Ki Aankh, Mirza Juliet, Gunjan Saxena)
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