Rushad Rana - When People Start Liking Your Work, the Responsibility to Perform Better and Better Increases (Profound Television and OTT Actor From India)

My mantra of success is to just keep moving forward and not live in the past. Never carry an ego and think you've done so much work, now you wouldn't need to work hard. On the contrary when people start liking your work the responsibility to perform better and better increases with every project and that keeps me on my toes. Besides that, it's my love for the craft and cinema that keeps me going in spite of the several dejections and disappointments. 

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

Hi, hope all well to answer your first question my background and journey so I am the main Mumbaikar. Always been in Mumbai and my journey began when I was in college. Actually, after my second year, I got a portfolio made wanting to try my hands at modelling. I distributed my portfolio to a lot of agencies started getting calls for auditions that's when I came across the audition for my first ever acting debut Hip Hip hurray. My audition went very well and I was quite sure that I will nail the part. And right enough so I did. Well, that's how my acting journey began. 

2. Did you ever think or dream of being an actor?

Well I never dreamt of becoming an actor it was something that happened by chance. Yes having said that I was always very fond of being on stage right from my school days the reason for which made sense now that I'm an actor. 

3. How can one approach their career and have the confidence and belief to become an actor? 

Well, these days to become an actor the process is pretty simple. One has to get a portfolio made and give it out to various casting directors and then they get calls from them when someone of that category is required. Today sending pictures giving auditions is much more simple thanks to technology. In our times we had to make hard copies of photographs distribute their office to office and physically go for auditions to far away studios. 

Now since last year, the trend has changed because of the pandemic. Now actors can send auditions from the comforts of their home which makes it very convenient. Will the confidence and the belief to become an actor is something that you have to feel and as you keep trying and performing you will get feedback as to how good or bad you are at it and how much you need to improve. Basically, it all boils down to yourself. 

4. If not this, what would you be doing?

If not an actor then I would definitely be a photographer. I love photography and have always been passionate about it. In school, I thought I would be a lawyer because my teachers used to tell my mother he is very good at arguing please make him a lawyer. Hahaha.

5. For a complete outsider with inroads, what advice would you like to give? 

For a complete outsider, my advice would first understand why you want to become an actor. Then once you understand the reason and feel that you can give it what this field requires then go all out to fulfill your dreams. Therefore, I also advise people is to be subjective about their own self and critical. In sometimes you will realize whether you are cut out for it or not. If yes then please go ahead, and if not maybe there is something else you are very good at and you need to discover. 

6. What is your mantra of success?

My mantra of success is to just keep moving forward and not live in the past. Never carry an ego and think you've done so much work, now you wouldn't need to work hard. On the contrary when people start liking your work the responsibility to perform better and better increases with every project and that keeps me on my toes. Besides that, it's my love for the craft and cinema that keeps me going in spite of the several dejections and disappointments. 

7. Which is your favorite book and why?

My favourite book is alchemist by Paulo Coelho. The reason why I love this book and this author is that he has the ability to visually transport you into the world he wishes to create. The Alchemist is a book I read long back but it still happens to be my favorite for the simple reason that it talks about attaining balance in life and going after your dreams. Both things I totally relate to and live my life following them. . Well I guess that's it. Thanks a lot for showing interest in my work. 

Rushad Rana - Profound Television and OTT Actor

Interviewed By: Nishad Kinhikar