Tusshar Kapoor has one advice for a star kid ready to enter the film industry — put your armour on because it is a tough, tough ride. The actor who has had his share of ups and downs ever since making his debut in the film industry accepts it’s easy for someone from a film family to make their debut, but he argues that the ride is so much tougher for them post that.
“When you are somebody’s son or daughter, then you better be strong and tough. No matter how many hits you give, there is an effort to pull you down or try to highlight what you haven’t done more than what you have done. If you are not from the film world, even with very little achievement, people say ‘Wow, what have you done!’,” Tusshar says in an exclusive conversation with SCREEN.
Also Read: Auto Accident Attorney Jacksonville FL: Your Guide to Legal Representation
However, isn’t the dice loaded against the outsiders who have to fight it out to get that first chance? “I want people to understand that it’s a fair level playing field for everyone,” Tusshar says, “Getting a break is probably easier for film people because of the connections, but after that it’s about your own connections, how you make the movie, how you are on screen, and what your marketability is. Its definitely a bit harsher on insiders. We have to pass a number of tests to make people within the industry and otherwise believe that we are here because of our own talent. Audience doesn’t want to see these biases. They only want to get entertained.”
Looking back at his acting debut with Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai in 2001 to now, the actor says that his acting journey was full of both good and tough days and no different from any other artist. “There have been ups and downs. If there weren’t any downs or setbacks, then I wouldn’t have reached here. That cycle has to be there, its a part of your journey which helps you grow. You just become stronger to do more work. If you can’t handle the ups and downs, then this field is not for you,” he shares.
Tusshar reveals that he is enjoying this phase of his career more than the initial years. “I look back at my time in the industry with a lot of nostalgia. I have only gotten happier with time. Initially, I was still trying to figure out what I was good at and how to navigate in the film world. I am not really that social or outgoing. I had to get out of my comfort zone in the earlier days. I like the growth I have had in the industry. I have understood what it really takes to be happy in the entertainment world. You just don’t shoot and move on. You have to be approachable, media savvy, socialise,” the 47-year-old remarks.
The actor will be seen in chapter two of Dus June Kii Raat on JioCinema. Directed by Tabrez Khan, the comedy-thriller stars Tusshar Kapoor and Priyanka Chahar Choudhary. Tusshar mentions that the response to the second season has been good. “We were indulged mostly in post release promotions, we didn’t go much all out before the release. However, the audience response has been good so far, people loved the first season and are also appreciating season two. It makes me happy,” he tells us.
Also Read: Trucking Injuries Attorney Houston: Seeking Justice After an Accident
Tusshar defines the shoot as a “great” and “hectic” experience. “We shot both the seasons together and we were on a 12-hour shooting schedule, doing multiple things in a day. The team was so good that we all didn’t have much time to worry about getting tired,” he elaborates.
The actor has starred in two digital projects so far, including Dus June Kii Raat and Booo Sabki Phategi. Calling OTT a “great medium”, Tusshar says, “It gives you a lot of leeway as far as experimenting with genre is concerned. I am able to do things that I have never done before, the cinema audience is used to a certain likeability quotient for an actor. In OTT, you can go a little crazy and different. Let’s see how that works out for me in the future as well. People want to watch relatable stuff.”
“There is less pressure with no box office numbers, but there is also a different kind of validation you need there. If you are okay with the appreciation of the target audience and happy with the lack of clarity of numbers, then only you can work in this medium. Its mostly about perception, there is no clear answer about the viewership, its a bit vague,” he ends.