Actor Ssharad Malhotra, popular for his portrayal of Maharana Pratap in 'Bharat Ka Veer Putra - Maharana Pratap', had studied at New York Film Academy, an experience which will remain special to him for several reason. In a freewheeling chat with IBNLive.com the very grounded Ssharad speaks about the efforts he had to invest to do justice to his role in 'Bharat Ka Veer Putra - Maharana Pratap', his upcoming films and the difficulties he had to face when he kicked off his career in acting.
Which genre of TV shows do you prefer the period/history drama or the family drama theme?
Both the genres have their positives and negatives and I enjoyed doing both. My first show 'Banoo Main Teri Dulhann' has a social theme and I liked it; it did very well, but then I wanted to do something else. Now, I am doing 'Bharat Ka Veer Putra - Maharana Pratap' which is period/action drama, and I like it. It has been doing really well too. I get to play this
larger-than-life character, with these great royal looking costumes, and when you do something like Maharana Pratap, the whole nation looks up to you and so you have to be good. There is pressure but it is like my driving force.
How much research did you do to the play Maharana Pratap, and directors/writer to do justice to the show?
I did some research on my own. There is obviously a team for the show to research the facts and find details from Maharana Pratap's life. I had read books, learned horse riding, and took classes to understand the basics of sword fighting among other things. I had a 10-day long training period which of course is not enough, but I tried to learn as much as I could and it helped me. I had heard stories of the Maharana and about his horse 'Chetak', but didn't know anything more. I have learned a lot after doing the show. I have been lucky to get this part and I am trying hard to do justice to the role.
Your serial has been on for over a year, don't you think period dramas should have limited episodes?
It's a historical show based on historical facts, so I think the show will last as long as the facts do. I joined the show a few months back. It has been doing really well since the beginning. It's received awards for the best show on TV. It is widely liked and admired and so I think, we are on the right track and it will be good to go on.
Tell us about your new films 'My father Godfather' and '1:13:7'...
Yes, I have done two films and they will be released sometime next year. '1:13:7' is a thriller by the 'Eyefaa studios' and directed by Arshad Siddiqui. As it is a thriller, I can't tell you much, but it's going to be very interesting. 'My father Godfather' is a short film. It's going to be India's first online movie and so we are very excited about it. It is something very new and exciting that the 'Essel vision' has tried. This trend is new here. In the west, it is common to release movies on 'Youtube'. I hope the audience responds to it positively.
How difficult has it been to survive in the industry without a godfather?
It was a new place and so it was hard for me, I had come from Kolkata. Mumbai, of-course, is Mecca of filmmaking, the dream city. But it is very disheartening in the beginning when you come to a new place. I didn't know anyone here and so it was completely new to me. I would give 10-15 auditions in a day and would pray in the night just before sleeping. I would wish for one show, one little role or even a commercial, I would say 'give me at least something'.
What do you think about reality TV, have you been offered any reality shows?
Well, reality bites. Reality shows are too real for me; I rather stay in my fictional zone. Reality TV can very easily get nasty and it gets very dirty and manipulative. All that just does not come naturally to me. The other thing which one needs is diplomacy and tact; it's very hard for me to be like that in a real situation. I am a real person and incapable to fabricate feelings. And yes, I have been offered a lot of reality shows but I have not done them for the reasons I have just said. There were some which I wanted to do, but the timings were complicated so I couldn't. But yes, I rather prefer normal fictional TV to reality TV.
What is your reaction towards the incident that Gauhar Khan had to go through?
It was very disheartening. Obviously a lot of people have said a lot of things to support her and I don't have anything else to say, but she is a lady and deserves respect. All women deserve respect and it's a man's job to assure that it happens.
Do you consider TV a powerful medium to sensitize people towards social issues and in most recent cases rape?
Yes, it is. It is not just one of them it's the most powerful medium and has a very far reach. It reaches the very interiors of the country and has the widest effect. It is almost an eye-opener and it should be used for sensitizing and making people aware of what goes on around them.
You have studied at the New York Film Academy, how different is it to act in Indian and international projects?
Yes, I have studied at the New York Film Academy; it was about four years ago. There is a lot of difference between working here and there, but those differences are reducing. If you talk about work ethics and professionalism, about a couple of years ago, the situation here was very bad. It's almost reversed now; everyone is very organized and extremely professional here now. It's all about reaching on time and working hard. Another thing which was different there is that they always asked me not to over act. They told me there is nothing like acting there is only reaction. We, here, were asked for hamming, to have loud reactions which were in your face. There, they pay more attention on being natural in front of the camera. They often told me that Indian actors who come here have a tendency to overact. They asked me to be completely unaware of the camera. They pointed out that as soon as the shot would start my whole body language changed and I talked, walked and even stood differently. I had to pay a lot of attention on the basic subtleties of acting there.
What are your favorite TV shows?
Yes I do have favorites but none from the recent times. I don't get time at all to watch TV. But I love 'Friends' and 'Entourage' which also I saw long back. And I also loved the shows on Zindagi, 'Humsafar' it was just so fresh. Fawad Khan is just brilliant and changes like that can be seen on Indian TV shows also.
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