‘The definition of a hero has changed; people want to see actors and not heroes today’

Having just completed a shoot for an advertisement in Thailand, Kunal Kumar, a Bollywood actor turned producer-director is in a happy place today. “I recently came back from Thailand after shooting an ad there. It is an ad for a foreign product and needed an Asian and I fit the bill. I had a lot of fun doing this project even though it was hot,” Kumar said.

In a fun and open interview, the Bollywood actor spoke about his school days, how he got interested in acting, and his upcoming projects

Was acting always on the cards?

At Apeejay School, Faridabad, I was always on the stage. Sometimes, I would end up doing a magic show, other times it was dancing. So, from the very beginning, I was used to people looking at me while I performed that gave me a high. I am the only child of my parents so I was an introvert and hated to interact with the family. I was a listener and seldom spoke in front of others. But when I stepped on the stage, I was a different person – there was a complete U-turn from my usual persona. I don’t know how and why this used to happen but I was a changed person on stage and loved every minute of it.

What was your first project?

The world of entertainment fascinated me. When I used to watch television, I used to wonder how it all came together; it was a magical world for me. It was not till I was in Class VII that I was introduced to this world. There was a show on Door Darshan – Unka Bachpan (a show about the childhood of great leaders). I was roped in to play the younger version of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, I went for a shoot in Allahabad at Anand Bhawan. I sat where he used to sit, and I saw the dictionary that was left open. It was awesome and had an out-of-body experience. It opened doors for me into the world of acting.

What fascinated you as an actor?

To begin with, there were so many things. From people clapping to getting recognised gave me such a high. Today, I know better. I understand that the adulation you get is just a mirage; it disappears as soon as you come near it. One has to take the success and the failures in your stride; it is part and parcel of being in this industry, you should be grounded and not let the sudden success go to your head.

How has your journey been thus far?

It has been great. I love to be an actor. So much so that after being in the industry for two decades I decided to study acting. All my friends thought I was crazy. They asked me why I wanted to study this art form when I knew its practical application. But I was adamant – I wanted to know the ins and outs of the art form. I joined The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York, It is one of the top institutes for acting. I then went to Germany to study acting at Penn State. This is where I learnt how to emote from the depth of your being. There is a reason why people say: ‘I feel it in my gut’ or ‘I love you from the bottom of my heart’.

 The one thing that you hate about acting,

It is an unorganised sector. Also, there are so many ifs and buts here. If you get a role, and if you get a role, will the scene be there in the film?  And if the scene has gone, when do you get the money, and whether you will get it when you need it?

How tough was it to break into the industry?

It was tough. Things were done very differently back then. We didn’t have mobiles. There was no concept of making a cut of your acting and giving it to the studios. My day would start at 8 am and get back at 10:30 pm. I would go from one shoot to another. It was not easy to get inside. I would have to beg to even meet the director let alone get a role. I would request them to give me whatever character they could. I have seen my photos getting dumped and burnt. It was very disheartening but I soon learnt that it was not me who was getting rejected. It was just that I didn’t fit the character that the director was looking for.

“To begin with, there were so many things that fascinated me about acting. From people clapping to getting recognised gave me such a high. Today, I understand that the adulation you get is just a mirage”

–Kunal Kumar, Bollywood Actor

How did Apeejay contribute to your growth?

I joined Apeejay School in Faridabad in the nursery and passed out from school. Even then, the school had so many extracurricular activities. The school allowed me to explore my creative side. If everyone became a doctor and or an engineer who would become a Picasso or MF Hussain saheb or even Gulzar? We need people in different professions, this includes the entertainment industry. We must nurture an artist and give him space to explore his art.

I loved the stage so much that I would agree to do just about anything as long as I got to be on the stage and Apeejay gave me these opportunities. It helped me not to become an actor but to explore my artistic side.  

What advice would you give to Apeejayites who want to be actors?

Hone your skills as an actor; learn the craft. If you seriously want to pursue this as a profession, discipline is the most important trait to learn. One also has to be patient. Acting involves hard work. It is a profession that doesn’t come with a salary at the end of the month. Take success with a pinch of salt; keep yourself grounded.

Can you talk about a few upcoming projects of yours?

There are a few ads that are under production of I Wish Films Pvt Ltd. I am also working on a script for OTT. We are making a few spiritual films as well. There is so much happening in this space and it is only growing; the audience has matured and loved good content. This gives producers encouragement to experiment with different genres and come up with out-of-box ideas and stories. The definition of a hero has changed; people want to see actors and not heroes!