“I NEVER EVEN WANTED TO BE AN ACTOR, LET ALONE A CELEBRITY WHEN I KICK STARTED THIS RIDE”

SHARIB HASHMI tells JYOTHI VENKATESH in this exclusive telephonic interview two days before the release of his latest film My Client’s Wife on ShemarooBoxOffice that it was mainly the script, which was genuinely a page turner that made him say yes when he was offered the role in My Client’s Wife

I just watched your performance in My Client’s Wife.  I noticed that it is one of the rare “offbeat” films that you’ve done!

Well, in a sense I’ve only done “offbeat” cinema in my career, but this is an instance where my role is refreshingly offbeat too.

Your character is truly unconventional, what made you agree to do this movie?

It was mainly the script, which was genuinely a page turner! Also, the opportunity to play such a unique character atypical to my image, with so many layers and shades of grey was what appealed to me instantly.  I really wish I could reveal more about my role but I can’t.

The film is filled with so many engaging twists. Did you ever feel the plot would prove to be too complex for the audience?

It’s a risk for sure, but I believe it’s a risk worth taking. One of the best things about the film streaming on ShemarooMe is that, in the digital world, audiences appreciate all kinds of genres. If viewers take a tiny leap of faith with this movie, they will enjoy the whole ride.

Is it true that My Client’s Wife is inspired by actual events?

Not exactly, we may have been influenced by various news items but I doubt the film is based on a particular incident. I feel our director Prabhakar would be the best person to answer this question as I do know it is a completely original script.

“My Client’s Wife” also marks Prabhakar’s first as a feature film director.

Yes. He has directed some lovely short films prior to jumping on to the big screen.

How was it like working with a filmmaker who is making his debut as a director?

He’s a tough taskmaster, who is uncompromising to the hilt. This may be his first film, but Prabhakar knows what he wants and is fiercely confident about it. It made my life easier since I had to rush from another project to commence this one, and thanks to the director having rock solid clarity, the lack of breathing space never became a problem.

You completed the film in just 25 days, and it does not look dated despite being ready back in 2015.

It is true that we shot the film in 25 days, but that’s mostly due to smart planning, and nowhere have we compromised on the product. Even though the film is a few years old, all’s well that ends well with it finding such an esteemed platform like ShemarooMe Box Office. The chance Shemaroo Entertainment is giving to storytellers all across the country is huge and they get to make their movie without the fear of it not finding takers.

What were the challenges you faced while you set out to explore the character of Manas Verma?

The initial days were a bumpy ride as I searched for the perfect pitch to essay this role, but as we delved into it further, I discovered more and more about the two dimensional Manas Verma and it became an interesting puzzle that I was piecing together.

You share the screen with Anjali Patil and Abhimanyu Singh. How did you break the ice with both?

Anjali is a sweetheart, even though this is the first time we are working together, we both knew each other much before this film. Abhimanyu is someone I admired too. I was already aware of their immense talent and was dying to work with them. As luck would have it, My Client’s Wife is the film destiny chose for this desire of mine to come true.

Were there any workshops you attended for the film?

We had elaborate reading sessions with all principal actors to establish the dynamics.

The locations feel real, raw and rustic, where have you shot this film?

It is largely shot at Mumbai and Raipur. While many of the indoor scenes were done in Mumbai, since our film was based in Raipur we shot on location as well.

Your repertoire till date consists of about 10 to 15 films by now, and isn’t it time to call you a seasoned player?

(Chuckles) I’ve not kept count to be honest. I’m as old as my last film. My movie, Darbaan, was all set to release before this lockdown hit.We’re now looking at digital platforms to stream that one too.

Isn’t it about time you directed a film yourself?

I definitely intend to helm a movie in the future. I recently co wrote Ram Singh Charlie, directed by Nitin Kakkar who had last made Jawaani Jaaneman. We’ve co produced it too, and once again, it is up for an exclusive digital release. Everyone seems to be catching the ShemarooMe Box Office fever.

Did Nitin not offer you a role in Jawaani Jaaneman?

There was no character that fit me, and Hussain Dalal had undertaken the responsibility of writing, so I was part of the film purely as an audience. Nitin and I are involved in writing another project though.

Can you name five personal best films of yours till date?

It’s like asking a parent to choose his favorite child, but if I had to close my eyes, I would name Filmistaan, Darbaan and Nakkashas special, I would also like to mention a small little gem called Phullu, and last but not the least, My Client’s Wife of course.

Does playing such a heavy character drain you mentally in general, as an actor?

In my case, it was mentally as well as physically vexing, playing such an intense person at night and then accommodating the promotions for another film during daylight. But it’s all in a day’s work for an artist.

Which are your upcoming projects as of now?

I’m a part of many exciting titles; Phirse Shaadi is one of them, directed by theatre veteran Imran Rasheed. A lot of known names in the theatre circle like Danish Hussain and Sheeba Chaddha star alongside me in this social comedy.

We have never seen you on the small screen. Tell me what’s the reason you’ve stayed away?

The script takes me to the medium, I have not yet found a script that attracts me towards television, but my motto has always been-“never say never.  If I get the right script, I will definitely act in TV.

Which are the directors you would like to work with?

 Shimit Amin, Dibakar Banerjee, Anurag Kashyap, Sriram Raghavan and Anubhav Sinha are filmmakers I yearn to collaborate with.

The industry has a bad habit of stereotyping. Do you ever get offended when someone labels you a side hero or sidekick?

In today’s times, some people take offence at the drop of a hat; I would rather leave the art of taking offence to them. I’m just here to perform and entertain.

With a super hit web series like “The Family Man”, and an off-beat movie like My Client’s Wife set to stream online, the digital world is truly smitten by you, isn’t it?

I am not one to blow my own trumpet but another web series I acted in called “Asur” was a roaring success too (chuckles), so it’s been a golden phase!

As an actor, you landed on the scene with Filmistaan?

Technically, Filmistaan is my first film as the lead but I’ve also been in Jab Tak Hai Jaan apart from a blink and miss appearance in Slumdog Millionaire. More than the scene, the fact that Danny Boyle auditioned me was memorable. I was even a part of Haal E Dil, Adhyayan Suman’s debut.

Despite being a part of the filmy world for so many years now, we still can’t call you a “media savvy” celebrity!

I never even wanted to be an actor, let alone a celebrity when I kick started this ride. I used to work at Channel V, managing to shoot for films by taking leaves in between, it was that off hand.

Did you ever consider taking up journalism, being the son of the late renowned journalist Z.A. Johar of Mayapuri?

I don’t know why I never thought about journalism as a profession, but I did conduct the actor interviews back when I worked at MTV, so that’s a common thread I have with your friend and my late dad.

If you had to share some musings about how you’ve grown as an actor, what would those be?

Having started in 1998, assisting Nabh Kumar ‘Raju’ in Hum Tumpe Marte Hain and then taking a deep dive to pursue acting in 2009, I’ve unlocked my mind to incredible experiences and unearthed many hidden traits that set me apart from my contemporaries. I have evolved by leaps and bounds as a performer due to an enriched understanding of the medium.

Would you say you are averse from sitting in a comfort zone, like just doing comic roles?

This is one thing I’ve avoided all throughout, being bracketed as a comedian. I like doing comedy but I personally feel drama is my forte.

You have no formal training in acting; you see this as an advantage or a drawback?

I may have not learnt acting but I did start a bit of theatre post Jab Tak Hai Jaan and ultimately, with acting, we are all students till the end. The film set is our ultimate teacher.

If I may say so, you are one of the underdogs who have risen sans any backing of known names. 

While I may not have come here through nepotism, I wouldn’t say I had no backing, as I had the backing of my friends, family and co-stars.

It seems you’ve resumed work!

Yes. Lockdown or no, I have to dub for “The Family Man”, and “work is worship” is another motto I believe in!