Sandeep Bhojak Interview: "I feel alive when I'm in front of the camera"

By Shantishwarup Tripathi

Sandeep Bhojak, the actor gaining fame for his role as Bhoomi in the TV serial "Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile," airing every night at 9:30 PM on Zee TV, needs no introduction. Born and raised in Bikaner, Rajasthan, Sandeep Bhojak has been working in Mumbai's film industry since 2015. He has showcased his acting prowess in numerous TV serials, including 'Diya Aur Baati Hum,' 'Paramavatar Shri Krishna,' 'Jai Santoshi Maa,' 'Shakti,' 'Yeh Hai Mohabbatein,' 'Kumkum Bhagya,' and 'Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2.' He has also appeared in films like 'Gandhi Godse Ek Yudh,' 'Bad Boyz,' 'Battle of Saragarhi,' and 'Ram Rajya,' as well as the Chinese film 'Mandala (Lost in Ganga)' directed by Liu Xuan and the Hollywood film 'Hotel Mumbai.' He is soon to be seen in two major big-budget films.

Here are excerpts from a conversation with him:

• Was there an artistic environment in your home that inspired you to join films?

The truth is, no one from my family, lineage, or community was involved in acting before me. However, my father, Vinod Bhojak, had a passion for singing. He's a good singer. While living in Bikaner, he sang many songs for Akashvani (All India Radio). As children, we used to listen to my father's songs on the radio. But due to life's struggles, he couldn't reach a point in music or singing where it could become his livelihood and a means to support the family. Perhaps that's why when I decided to become an actor, he didn't object.

• We heard you were running a shoe shop previously?

Well, I did my schooling in Bikaner, Rajasthan, and then pursued higher education in Delhi. After completing my higher education and returning to Bikaner, my father opened a shoe shop for me to earn a living. I was selling shoes ranging from two hundred to three thousand rupees. Not only that, I got married in 2010, and in 2011, I became a father to a daughter. My shoe business was doing well, but I was also involved with theater. I started doing theater in my school days and continued in college. After returning to Bikaner, I managed the shop while continuing with plays.

I performed in several shows of two plays, including 'Char Chatur Sujan,' under the guidance of Vipin Purohit ji in Bikaner. Additionally, I did three shows of a play called 'Mangal Pandey' under the direction of Mukesh Shivam. The play shows were held in Bikaner, Jaipur, and Udaipur. One day, I realized I should give myself a chance as an artist. So, I put all the shoes in my shop on sale. You won't believe it, but all the shoes sold out in a single day. The shop was empty. My thinking behind this was that once one responsibility is fulfilled, we can struggle better to take on another. I was cleaning up and closing the shop when my father arrived. When he asked, I told him the truth: I'd sold all the shoes and now wanted to close the shop and go to Mumbai to try my luck as an actor. My father didn't object. When I got home, I explained to my wife that I needed six months. With her permission, I immediately left for Mumbai.

• Did you get acting opportunities as soon as you reached Mumbai?

No, sir. Everyone has to struggle in Mumbai. I struggled a lot. When I came to Mumbai, I didn't know anyone. Two or three people I had done theater with were struggling in Mumbai, so I learned a few things from them, like you get work here only after giving auditions. After spending a couple of nights with theater friends in Mumbai in 2015, I started living in a rented apartment in the Virar area. Every day, I would give eight to ten auditions. I also took acting training and started doing plays with Rajendra Tiwari's theater group, EDS Theatre Group.

• How did you get your first job?

 After struggling in Mumbai for about four months, I got a small role in the serial "Diya Aur Baati Hum." Playing this small role in the serial boosted my confidence that I could do good work in Mumbai. Secondly, I now had something to tell other directors—that I had done something. This slightly changed my approach to struggling. People who used to turn me away at the door now called me into their offices, sat me down, and listened to me, even if they weren't giving me work.

• Does that mean the struggle ended after "Diya Aur Baati Hum"?

 No, sir. The struggle continues even today. Only the method of struggle has changed a bit. After "Diya Aur Baati Hum," I got the opportunity to play a long role in Rashmi Sharma Production's serial "Saubhagyalakshmi." Appearing on screen every day for about six months established a certain recognition. People inside and outside the industry started recognizing my face. I also got financial support. I had come to Mumbai to act in films, but to sustain myself in Mumbai and continue the struggle, I kept doing TV serials because they provided financial support. Meanwhile, I did some TV serials like 'Shakti' and 'Ramavatar Shri Krishna,' as well as films. I didn't get paid for some films. For some films, I got paid, but it was as good as not getting paid. Also, some of my films weren't released.

• Which was your first film and how did you get it?

Based on an audition, I got my first film in 2016, director Rajkumar Santoshi's "Battle of Saragarhi." It was shut down after 80% of the shooting was completed and was never made. I played Diler Singh alongside Randeep Hooda in 'Battle of Saragarhi.' Around the same time, I got the film 'Ram Raj' and another international project, 'Hotel Mumbai.' I also did a Chinese film, 'Mandala.' I don't know what happened to the Chinese film. My biggest joy in doing 'Battle of Saragarhi' was getting the opportunity to work with a legendary director. I had become his fan after watching his films like 'Ghatak,' 'Ghayal,' 'Damini,' and 'Andaz Apna Apna.' Because of 'Battle of Saragarhi,' I couldn't do other films or serials for two years because I had to grow a beard for the character. We shot 'Ram Raj' in Ranchi, Bokaro, and Mumbai. Then in 2019, Akshay Kumar's film 'Kesari' was released, and our film "Battle of Saragarhi" was shelved forever.

Even though 'Battle of Saragarhi' wasn't released, Rajkumar Santoshi Sir was very happy with my work in that film, and he later gave me opportunities to act in his two films, "Gandhi Godse: Ek Yudh" and "Bad Boyz." Rajkumar ji is an excellent director. There are very few directors like him who work at the grassroots level. He gives artists the opportunity to fully embody a character and gives them complete freedom on set.

• What was your character in the film "Gandhi Godse: Ek Yudh"?

I played Jailer Amod Rai in this film, the jail where Godse was imprisoned, and where Gandhi meets Godse in the film. Director Rajkumar Santoshi told me that the film was set in the 1947 period. For this, I had to gain twenty kilos and keep a long mustache. The funny thing is that as soon as the shooting for this film ended, the shooting for the second film, 'Bad Boyz,' began. In that, I played a college student named Atom Bomb, and for that, I had to lose weight. I lost 18 kilos in a month and a half to get into the 'college boy' look.

• Did "Gandhi Godse: Ek Yudh" give your career a boost?

As an artist, I gained good recognition. My work was highly appreciated. After that, I received many good projects. These days, I'm working on the Zee TV serial 'Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile.' This serial has been telecasting since November 11, 2024. My character in it is quite good. Besides that, I have completed the shooting of two big films.

• What can you tell us about the serial "Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile" and your character?

The story of the serial 'Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile,' produced by Sonal Kakkar and Goldie Behl, revolves around Reet and Raghav, who are forced to marry under the 'Aata Sata' custom, where they are bound by love for their siblings. This serial explores whether a marriage of obligation can evolve into true love, and it also deals with the characters' personal journeys of self-discovery and navigating their egos. It is being praised for its entertaining storyline, emotional portrayal of relationships, and production quality. In this, I am playing the character of Bhoomi, which is a positive character. This character has many shades. Bhoomi stands by Raghav in every situation, even if the whole world is against Raghav.

• You mentioned two of your films are about to be released. Can you tell us something about them?

 One film is "Love Stories of Nineties," directed by Amit Kansariya. We shot it in Manali and Dehradun. It also features Miss Universe Vidita Rai, Adhyayan Suman, and Akshay Anand. I've played the heroine's brother in it. I can't give more information than this right now. But about the second film, I'll only say that it's a big-budget historical film.

• Is social media benefiting or harming cinema?

To be honest, social media is harming artists like me. Here, casting directors ask how many followers you have on Instagram. This means that the talent of an artist is no longer valued. Now, work is given based on social media followers. As a result, talented artists don't get work because those who lack talent are gaining success by making strange reels or buying followers with money. In this sense, social media is the biggest monster. We work hard for ten years, do theater, learn the craft, but work is given to someone who posted a video on social media a month ago, and that video went viral for some reason. So, they become a great artist, even though they know nothing about acting or the craft of cinema. Such artists are paid fifty times more than me to be cast as the main lead in a film because they also have followers. This means that instead of looking at the artist's look, whether their look matches the character, or if they have talent, work is given only based on the number of followers. As a result, they don't live up to the audience's expectations, and films are flopping at the box office. We have been working here for ten years, but we don't get as much remuneration as Instagram influencers are getting. Instagram influencers come and buy cars, houses, everything. The sad thing is that we cannot make explicit reels like them. We don't have the power to buy followers. But here, YouTubers and influencers are being made actors, even though everyone knows that these followers are fake. Manoj Bajpayee has one million followers, and an influencer who came two months ago has forty million followers. How did this happen? Everyone knows the truth, but a different kind of mathematical game is going on. My direct question is, why don't even a thousand people go into the theater to watch a film of someone who has fifty lakh followers? Some are stripping in the middle of the road and posting their videos on social media and earning crores of rupees. The government also doesn't take action against such people. It pains me to see all this.

• After ten years of struggle, what now?

 Sometimes I get very disheartened. It hurts to see Instagram followers, the audition process, napotism, and the surrounding environment. But I have complete faith in my talent and myself that tomorrow will be mine. My journey is certainly long, but people are calling me for work because of my work. This film industry has also given me recognition. I feel alive when I'm in front of the camera. I constantly work on what good I can give to cinema from my side. I hope that I continue to get opportunities to play good characters. I also work as a writer. When I get the chance, I also work as an assistant director. I have directed three music videos. As a writer, I have completed two stories. I want to make my own kind of cinema. It hurts to see anything being served in the name of cinematic liberty. Abusive language and nudity have become common. People have forgotten that cinema is an important part of society. Cinema even has the power to change governments. Cinema is a part of people's daily lives.

• Your father is a singer. Did it ever cross your mind to try your hand at singing?

I don't think my voice is good enough for people to enjoy listening to me sing. But as an artist, I try to bring variations to my voice according to the demands of the character. I never even thought of becoming a singer.

• Is there any particular role you wish to play?

There are many roles. I want to play a psycho killer. Currently, I'm on my journey. Right now, I'm choosing some better options from the offers I'm getting. I don't find myself at a stage where I can choose characters or films yet.

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