How many months did you take to prepare for your role in ‘Antim’?
It took me nearly three years to get into the skin of Rahuliya for ‘Antim’. In 2018, we had a rough idea about the movie but the main training started in January 2019. That’s when I realized I had to put on weight and change myself completely. The way I looked post ‘Loveyatri’ was not going to work for this film. It was a three-year long journey of transforming my body, voice, acting, demeanor, everything. It was a gradual change. I realized that the character that I am playing doesn’t like to be liked, he doesn’t want to be someone presentable. For that, I had to change myself as a person. That was the most difficult part. I remember watching ‘Joker’ and at that point of time, it was of big help. When I was working on ‘Antim’ I thought my role was that of an antagonist. But after I watched ‘Joker’, I realized that it is for the audience to decide whether Rahulia is an antagonist or just a grey character. I simply essayed it like I am the protagonist.
You looked nervous during your fight sequence with Salman Khan, were you skeptical about sharing screen space with him?
My character changes according to his equation with Rajveer (Salman Khan) in the movie. When I was laughing during my fight sequence with Salman bhai, people were like ‘Why are you laughing? You have to be angry’. But at that point my character was having fun, he was enjoying the fact that the cop is losing his cool but he also knows that the cop is stronger than him. He likes to irk the cop, that’s why he smirks all the time. But Rahulia changes when he realizes that he has done something wrong and seeks help from the cop.
You confessed to being apprehensive about Salman Khan’s presence in ‘Antim’… why was that?
The first thing that came to my mind was nepotism. And the second thought I had was that I am working with a superstar whose fans love him a lot. His films are made on a certain scale, there is a pressure of 200 crore business too. The positive thing was that I knew Salman bhai was on my side but the fear of not being able to deliver was also nagging. I didn’t know if my act would do well. I come from a place where my previous film and performance were not liked and here I am doing something which is completely different. I have to change myself completely, but what if all backfires as the film is riding on my story? This was not Salman Khan’s film, it is not that he is the protagonist or that it’s his story. Somewhere down the line, I didn’t want people to say – “Oh, Salman Bhai did a film which was not of his stature and the boy didn’t perform.”
Your wife Arpita wanted you to outshine Salman Khan in ‘Antim’, what was her reaction after watching the movie?
When she said that to me, she knew that ‘Antim’ was the biggest opportunity that had come my way. If you perform well, you will get noticed. And if you don’t perform well, then it is the dead end. I cannot get delusional, that’s why Arpita wanted me to just go for it and now she is very happy.
In a recent interview you said you are ‘happy to be trolled’ on social media, why so?
I am grateful that I get trolled, it motivates me to work harder. Now, when the audience is loving me, I want to make sure that I live up to their expectations. This is one thing I admire about Tiger (Shroff), he is a dear friend. Even when his film releases on Friday, he is training the same way on Saturday, nothing changes. He focuses on work irrespective of what happens to his film.
You’ve often said that your success is credited to Salman Khan, how did you overcome that emotion?
Earlier, it used to affect me a lot. I would ask Arpita if I should post details of my Income Tax Returns on Instagram! I just need to explain the people out there that I also earn money. But then I realized it is just the noise and it doesn’t really matter.
People addressed you as Arpita’s dog in the past, did that affect you?
They also questioned why I married Arpita. Everyone assumed that I married her for the films. I would wonder if they really think my wife is that amateur who doesn’t know me well? But then I thought why should I disrespect my relationship with Arpita by giving importance to this conversation. I only need to explain my work but beyond that, I cannot control anything. I love to spend time with Salman bhai because he comes with a lot of work experience, so that helps me as an actor.
What kind of relationship advice have you received from Salman Khan?
(Laughs). Salman is not married, he says whatever is in his heart. He is someone who will talk on behalf of both Arpita and me. But when it comes to giving relationship advice, you just cannot follow him. If I do, then I am not getting any meal from my wife.
Despite coming from a political background, you have chosen a career in films. If you could share something about that…
Since my dad belonged to politics, he always made me work on my budget. So years ago when I was struggling, there was a day when I only had Rs 20 in my pocket and didn’t know how to pay for my breakfast the next day. I settled for a roll at a famous outlet in Bandra. But that night, I choose not to call my Dad and ask for money because I wanted to find my own footing. Years later, when I was walking down the same lane during ‘Antim’ promotions, I was actually thinking that will I never be here again because it was such a different phase. I have struggled a lot, messaging casting directors ‘good morning, good night’. There were days when casting directors would ignore me but now they appreciate my work.
You were a background dancer in ‘Dilliwali Girlfriend’… how did that experience add to your acting career?
For me it was a personal move as I had never been on a movie set. ‘Barfi’ had just released and we all were enamored by Ranbir Kapoor’s performance. It was tough to be on a movie set but then I spotted a friend of mine and requested him that I want to be a part of the film, even if it is a small role. Before this, I had done an advertisement and I was flustered because all this was not taught in the acting school. I wanted to experience what a real movie soot looks like. I woke up early, put on the costume and was super excited, it was a great experience. After the shoot, I requested to meet Ranbir, Deepika and Ayan, but was flatly refused. It was shot in Mehboob and now when I go there to promote my movie, I feel great about all that I have achieved so far.
Salman Khan recently called you ‘Ajeeb Insaan’, why so?
I always tell this to people that I am just the face, my wife is the spine. Everything behind my life has got to do with Arpita and she is an intelligent girl. She takes care of the kids and lets me focus on my career. Recently when Arpita went on a trip, I went to Salman’s place and spent some time with him. Salman called me ‘Ajeeb Insaan’ because he felt I was the first husband who visits his brother-in-law when the wife is away.
Are you a part of ‘Black Tiger’?
No, I am not a part of it. I hope they offer it to me but as of now I am not a part of it.
What are your upcoming projects?
Right now, I have not signed anything as I want to think over before deciding any new project. There is a lot of responsibility on my shoulders after the success of ‘Antim’.
