How did you get the main role in Isi Life Mein?
Also, I think you were doing plays with Makrand Deshpande before you started acting in movies.
I was in the US studying at Johns Hopkins University, where I did theatre.
After that, I came back to India. I didn't know anyone or anything about the film industry, so I went straight to Prithvi Theatre because I knew that was a place for theatre. That's how I started working with Makrand Deshpande. He didn't care about my US background and told me, "First, you'll do backstage work!" I slowly worked my way up.
Someone at Rajshri knew I was acting in theatre and told Sooraj Barjatya and director Vidhi Kasliwal about me.
The main character in Isi Life Mein is someone who runs a drama club in college, which probably is why they called me. I went through a lot of auditions. They knew I had lived in the US, so they tested me a lot on my Hindi speaking skills. They gave me a Hindi test, a camera test, and a regular audition. In the end, my camera test was what helped me win the role.
Do you remember your first meeting with Sooraj Barjatya?
Yes, I remember clearly.
The whole Rajshri family was there — Sooraj ji, Kamal babu, Raj babu (the late one), and others. They asked me to bring my father as well, since they are very family-oriented. Sooraj ji gave me a scene from his film, Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978). I had never seen the film, but when he asked me, "Have you seen this film?" I said, "Yes, I've seen all Rajshri films!" He asked me to read the scene, and then he wanted me to read it again in a different way. He then gave me another scene and showed me how to read it. By the end of that, I got the feeling that he liked me. Raj babu wanted to know my Hindi skills, so I did a Hindi test.
That was followed by a camera test.
The second camera test was to check how I would work with Sandeepa.
Sandeepa Dhar was your first actress.
How was it working with her?
Life moves on, and we haven't spoken in a while.
But since she was my first heroine, she has a special place in my heart. Every time I meet her, all the memories of the movie come back. However, our lives took different paths. I started doing indie films like Pizza, Laal Rang, Gurgaon, etc. Her acting career went in a different direction — she later did Dabangg 2 (2012) and also got into dancing.
Salman Khan made a cameo and was seen talking to Rajnandini (Sandeepa Dhar) on the phone.
Did you get to meet him?
Yes, we met him during dubbing.
We were in the dubbing studio when he came in, and we paused to meet him and let him do his lines. That was my first time meeting him. My second meeting was when he called us to promote the film on Bigg Boss Season 4. No one asked him to do that. He did it on his own because he really loves Sooraj ji. He contacted Sooraj ji and arranged it.
You once said, "Salman Khan helped us a bit with the marketing of the film."
Did you mean the promotion on Bigg Boss Season 4?
Yes, that's exactly what I meant.
He had a lot of ideas for marketing the film, and I remember he would share them with Sooraj ji. This happened during a meeting at the dubbing studio. I was watching it and realized how much he loves Sooraj ji. Whatever Sooraj ji does, he wants to help in any way he can.
The end credits of *Isi Life Mein* show some behind-the-scenes moments. In one of the clips, we see Imran Khan on the set too.
Imran and I have been friends since 2001.
We met at Kishor Namit Kapoor’s acting class. It was my first film. Imran had already become a big star because of *Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na* (2008). He visited our sets. It was the first day of filming, and we were shooting in a bungalow in Juhu. He came to wish us luck.
How much did you get paid for your first film?
I was paid Rs. 1.50 lakh.
What were you doing on the day the film released?
Did you go to the cinemas?
I was crying!
At the box office, the film was a complete failure. Everyone knew it right away. It was quick to fail. We did go to some theatre shows with Sooraj ji. I also read the reviews, and I still do. But it was a painful memory because the film was pulled from the theatres. I was 25 when it came out. I remember thinking, “What happens now?” I knew from that moment that the struggle would start.
I thought that because it was a Rajshri film, things would go well.
But when it didn’t, it was really tough. It wasn’t easy. If I’m grateful for anything, it’s that I was able to come out of all that, keep going, and keep working.
Do you think people watch *Isi Life Mein* now after you became famous?
Do fans talk to you about it?
Yes, it happens often.
I often meet people at the airport. Those who love the film really love it. They’ve seen it 30-35 times. People tell me, “This film helped me get through my college years” or “Every time I’m low, I watch your film.” So, it found its own audience over time. But that audience wasn’t there when it first came out!
Are you still in touch with Sooraj Barjatya?
He’s a very private person and not very social.
I message him whenever I hear he’s making a film. I do this with a lot of directors. It’s my way of saying, “Hey, remember me? Think of me if you’re making something.” That’s the only kind of connection I have with Sooraj ji. Unfortunately, we don’t interact in any other way. He likes to keep to himself, and I don’t want to disturb him. If he ever has a role for me, I’d be more than happy to do it.
How do you look back at your 15-year journey?
It has been a slow and steady journey, but it has only been going upwards.
The best part was that I was always working. Now that I’ve been in the industry for so long, I realize how hard it is to get work regularly. It’s a huge blessing. So, I’m grateful that I survived and that I still work. I also feel like my best is yet to come. It’s around the corner.
If my first film had been a hit and I had become an overnight star, that journey would have also been difficult.
So, I’m grateful for the way it went. I have a lot of hopes for the future. Hopefully, it works out the way I want it to.
Your first film had a connection with Salman Khan, and 15 years later, you’re working with another Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, in *King*.
How does that feel?
I’m lucky to be part of this film and for my bond with Siddharth Anand.
Even Mamta Anand has been very important in my journey. When *Flesh* was released, it felt like a repeat of *Isi Life Mein*. I felt, “No one saw it.” I was really upset because I loved my performance in it. I remember Mamta calling me and saying, “I know this film hasn’t been seen much. Don’t worry. I’ll get you a role that you deserve.” She kept her word and a year later, she offered me *Fighter*. Both the Anands have been very important in my life.
*Fighter* is the reason why I got other films, including *King*, *Toxic*, and my upcoming film with Netflix.
I’m so thankful to them. Tomorrow, if they call me for a scene and say, “Here, just do it,” I’ll just do it. That’s how I feel about them.
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