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| Actor Raj Kumar |
A
prodigy of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, Raj Kumar is
living his dreams today – he dreamt of gracing the silver screen since he was in
school. From his debut as Adarsh in Dibakar Banerjee’s critically acclaimed
movie Love, Sex Aur Dhokha to playing
Govind in super hit film Kai Po Che, he
has proved that he can flawlessly bend genres. Kumar is one of the few actors
who have made it big in the industry without having a God father’s hand.
When did you have your first stint with
the camera?
I
was in fifth grade when our school dance group had gone to Prasar Bharti for a
show. I played Gandhi and I still remember how happy we all were. I always
wanted to become an actor; arts, theatre and acting have always arrested my
thoughts. But I decided to be an actor when I was in the ninth grade.
How did Kai Po Che happen?
The
casting director asked me to audition for Govind’s role and I got it (smiles). The
entire journey was so memorable. I took back truck loads of wonderful
experiences from Kai Po Che. The best
part was that we all gelled superbly well and became like one big happy family.
All the actors were very serious about this film and everybody put up their
best show to make it a big hit. I learnt a lot from each one of them. If I have
to pick one memorable moment from the shooting days then it would be the day we
shot the dance sequence where all three lead cast were shirtless. This was not
part of the script. Sushant and Amit had a little bit of alcohol and they
randomly took their shirts off and started dancing like nobody is watching
them. I was parked at a corner and I was watching them. They went wild and they
roped me in, tore my shirt and we danced our hearts out. Someone shot the whole
thing and later the director was so happy to see this; he eventually added the
sequence in the film.
Tell us about your childhood…
I
am born and brought up in Gurgaon. I graduated from Delhi University in arts
and since then I developed keen interest in theatre. Post my graduation I moved
to FTII, Pune for masters in acting. Days spent in Pune are by far the golden
days of my life – I was acting, breathing and thinking films. With the plethora
of ideas and creativity booming in the campus air, I learnt so much from my very talented batch mates and brilliant professors.
Would you care to share some fond
childhood memories?
I
was a complete filmy kid. I watched Agneepath
continuously for three weeks and I moulded myself into Amitabh Bachchan’s
character and would beat the shit out of my brothers.
Are you planning to get married anytime
soon? What kind of girl are you looking for?
I
have already found my match; her name is Anwita, I met her at FTII; she was
working on some project in our college and we played the part of a newly
married couple and rest is history (gushes). We have been dating for a couple of years
now and she is an actor too.
How has your life changed after
Bollywood happened?
What
I miss the most is personal space. When you are on the streets, you will find
so many eyes glued at you, but that’s fine because back in Delhi even I would
do the same when any celeb was spotted. Once me and Anwita went to watch a movie and we held each other’s hands; the next day there was a big story about how we indulged in extreme PDA. This
is a big problem but sigh!
If you could rectify one mistake you made in your life, what would it be?
As
I mentioned before, I was a full on filmy kid so whenever I would see a hero with a new hairdo, I would
immediately try it on myself. I ended up experimenting with the most bizarre
looks. I guess I would like to change that.
What was the turning point of your
life?
Clearing
the FTII entrance examination at one go and finally setting my first step on
the campus has been the turning point of my life.
What do you have a fetish for?
I
have a fetish for travelling and exploring new destinations. My favourite city
of all time is Amsterdam.
Apart from acting, what do you like to
do?
Off
late I have developed an interest in photography. My flat mate is into
photography, he is a DOP (director of photography), so he has the best of
shutterbugs and lenses, and I am good to go (laughs).
If not an actor, what would you have
been?
I
would not be anything but an actor. I would direct someday maybe.
Has your perception of Bollywood
changed after you became part of the industry?
It
has changed a lot. Earlier I used to think that actors are so lucky – driving
good cars, living to the fullest, travelling, etcetera. However, reality is
very contrasting because so much hard work goes into making a film.
What is the craziest thing you have
ever done?
I
would rather call them stupid. After watching Ghulam I went and stood on a railway track and enacted the scariest
scene where Amir Khan jumps right before the train comes in front of him. And I
was in ninth grade only.
What is your favourite book?
It
has to be Charlie Chaplin’s autobiography.
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