INTERVIEW “NOT EVEN 5% OF MY POTENTIAL HAS BEEN EXPLOITED TILL DATE”

TARUN KHANNA tells JYOTHI VENKATESH in this exclusive internet interview that he is planning to produce and direct a short film based on public awareness by the end of the year

What do you have to say about the Corona virus that has affected everyone badly all over the world?

Though it is like World War 3 people are not realizing it as they cannot see what has hit them. The enemy has attacked the whole world together. I think it is going to remain like this for a long time. There is a demon in Hindu Mythology called Rakhtbeej, who had been given this boon by Brahma that every drop of his blood that touches the ground will create another demon like him, so that nobody could kill him. In the end, Goddess Durga had to drink his blood to end his menace. Goddess Durga is inside all of us and we can all kill this Rakhtbeej like the demon, Corona virus. All we have to do is stay at home even though it is difficult for people dependent on daily wages but they need to realize that only if they are alive will they get opportunities. I can only offer my best wishes to the whole world to come together and fight it together.

Tell me about your role as Mahadev in the serial Devi Aadi Parashakti being aired on the channel Dangal TV?

 It is a story about Goddess Durga. It is a wonderful story and has been accepted very well from the masses.

How did you bag your break in TV in Avinash IPS?

Like the good old hard way of coming up the grind, I was constantly doing rounds to give auditions in Delhi. Avinash IPS produced by UTV was one such audition. I was then asked to perform in front of the camera and as God was by my side I bagged the role and slowly started climbing the stairs of success.

What exactly did attract you towards acting?

Initially, like everyone else, even I was also attracted to the glamour. But later, when I actually become an actor I realized that the glamour is only when you’re giving interviews to famous journalists or when you’re in front of the camera as yourself but not the character because we are made to work very hard. And acting is very artistic and I never realized I was also artistic. Only after performing in front of the camera did I realize how I loved playing different characters. It is a gift that God has given me.

Did you learn acting anywhere?

Back when I was in Delhi, I use to bag all the TVCs I auditioned for. The directors during that time saw my potential and insisted that I should try acting. When I came to Mumbai, I enrolled myself in Kishore Namit Kapoor’s acting institute where I learnt the art of acting. Kishore Namit Kapoor sir, Mohit sir and Vidhur sir really shaped me as an actor. I also consider Mahesh Manjrekar and Kanwaljeet sir as my gurus. Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Nana Patekar and in the present generation Ranveer Singh and Rajkumar Rao really inspire me.

To what extent did your role in Chandragupta Maurya as Chanakya catapult you to the top?

It is very kind of you to say that it catapulted me to the top but I think I’ll always be a struggler and will try and bring the best out of my character. As far as Chanakya is considered, I was offered another show as the main lead during the same time as Chanakya. But I chose Chanakya as it was my childhood dream. I wanted to live it even though I had to go bald.

How did you bag the role?

I had played Chanakya in Porus initially. When I auditioned for that role, prosthetics were used to make me look bald and after seeing me, in that character the producer Sidharth Tiwari instantly said that only I’ll be playing the role. Even though my audition wasn’t up to the mark they decided to keep me based on my previous projects. And I decided to give my best to justify their faith in me.

Did it help you when you did a stint for two years in C.I.D in 2012, as Inspector Sooraj?

I did CID for only about 4 months. The experience taught me a lot. Even though I managed to make really good friends on the set, in retrospect I think I should have been more thoughtful about accepting that character.

You shot to fame with your role in Dishoom. Did you have to struggle with smaller roles in smaller films before you bagged Dishoom?

Dishoom was a wonderful experience in all. I got to work with some thorough gentlemen on the sets. I am lucky to say that I didn’t have to struggle to get roles in movies before and after Dishoom. I was offered the role by Rohit Dhawan himself and he kept all the promises till the end. The role was decent when it was initially narrated to me and it turned out beautifully on screen. My role in Dishoom was a very big morale booster for me as though I was sharing the space with good looking men, no one told that I was any lesser than them.

Is it true that like the actors of C.I.D and Tarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashmah are bound by their contract to their producers, you are also committed to do serials only for the Tiwari Brothers of Swastik?

There is nothing like it. Yes, I have been a part of almost all the shows produced by Swastik Productions like Radhakrishn, Devi Aadi Parashakti on Dangal TV, Changradragupt Maurya, etc. but it is because of the lovely people in the team that now feel like family. And yes, I have worked with some other wonderful production houses in the industry as well.

Which are your five best TV serials till date?

Chronologically speaking, the first role that comes on my mind is of King Vikramaditya from the serial Vikram Aur Vetal. It was a big hit and many people complimented me for this role. Second being Raavan in Devo ka Dev Mahadev which was very well accepted by the people.  Third would be Mahadev in Karmafal Data Shani. Fourth has to be Chanakya. It is a role very close to my heart as I always dreamt of playing that character.

Do you think that virginity is essential in a woman even in today’s times?

I think it’s very overrated and primitive to think that a woman has to be a virgin to be married.

Sexuality is a very personal thing and must not be considered as a reason for anything.Name the directors in your wish list as far as films are concerned?

In this list, I think nobody can touch Raju Hirani. He is the first on my list of directors. I would love to work with. To surprise some people here, Aamir Khan is one of the best directors of all time and I would love to work under him. Third would be Rohit Shetty. Even though he makes masala films, he does touch a chord somewhere and is clear of what he is making and that’s what I love about him. Tigmanshu Dhulia is also a director topping my wish list and according to me he is India’s answer to Quentin Tarantino.

What has been your growth as an actor over the last several years?

My growth as an actor has been tremendous but I feel that still there is a long way to ahead. I’m still very nervous to go on the sets and always learning. I still mug up my lines and prepare like a newcomer every day. I have also become a very good observer and try to draw out of my own experiences.

 Would you attribute destiny or luck for your success as an actor?

Yes. I totally attribute destiny and luck for where I am today. I see so many talented people out there in the country who haven’t got the opportunities like I have. Sometimes I also question if I am worthy of the role I am offered but I think of it as destiny and am grateful for the fact that I have been at the right place at the right time. And I think we should always take efforts and try and put the best step forward.

Do you think that your potential as actor has been exploited till date?

Not even 5% of my potential has been exploited till date. I can surely say that my performance caliber is yet to be extracted to the fullest. I am looking forward to work with more directors who will work with me to make characters iconic.

Are you of the opinion that virginity is essential in a woman even in today’s times?

I think it’s very overrated and primitive to think that a woman has to be a virgin to be married. Sexuality is a very personal thing and must not be considered as a reason for anything.

As an actor how do you approach every role of yours?

I am very particular about my roles. I think about how my character can rise above the script without affecting the flow of the narrative or disturbing other actors or changing the intensity of the scene. I try and add little things like raising the eyebrow, tightening of the jaw that can make a difference in the whole scene altogether for which I take inspiration from a lot of actors. I make sure I act in a way that if at all I see the scene the next day, I will not cringe. I also do a lot of homework to understand the mannerisms of the character.

Which are your forthcoming projects as of now?

As of now, I am playing Mahadev in Devi Aadi Parashakti on Dangal TV. It is the best show on the channel and one of the top ten shows in India right now. I am also planning to produce and direct a short film based on public awareness by the end of the year. I would love to be a part of a web series. I really would like to be part of some wonderful stories in the suspense thriller zone.