Anud Singh Dhaka is the new actor on the block who is all set and excited for his big Bollywood debut as the lead with Janhit Mein Jaari. He is paired opposite Nushrratt Bharuccha and he plays her husband in the film directed by Jai Basantu Singh. Before Janhit Mein Jaari, he has acted in Taj Mahal 1989, Love J Action, Super 30 and Chhichhore.

Ahead of Janhit Mein Jaari's release on June 10, PeepingMoon spoke to Anud about the film, his debut and his experience of working with Nushrratt. Talking to us, the young actor said Irrfan saw the actor in him on the sets of Qarib Qarib Single; Anud was the Assistant Director on that film. 

Excerpts from the interview:  

Why did you choose Janhit Mein Jaari to be your debut film?

I didn’t choose Janhit Mein Jaari, it chose me. As a newcomer, you don’t have many choices. But I am glad to have this one. I don’t think there could have been a better debut than this. 

Were you intimidated on your first day of the shoot?

Intimidated by what? There was nothing to feel so. I feel I am an outgoing person and it terrifies me when the other person is not. There was nothing like that on Janhit Mein Jaari sets. Yes, initially I wondered, Nushrratt kaisi hogi, attitude hoga kya etc. kyunki voh star hai. But it wasn't so. 

This is your first big Bollywood film. Are you nervous about critics' reviews? 

Whatever they will say, it will be the truth and why be afraid of hearing the truth? If it is bitter, it's okay too. So far, they have been kind to me and this ensures that I am on the right path. They have supported me until now, I hope they do so even after Janhit Mein Jaari. 

It is difficult to make people laugh. How easy or difficult was it to perform funny scenes in Janhit Mein Jaari?

I am a fun-loving person and always try to make people around me smile and laugh. As a kid, I would say, "Main bada hoke udd udd ke laate maarunga hero ki tarah." I will do it whenever I get a chance. But humour comes to me naturally. Acting is all about timing and so is humour. If you know acting, you’ll get humour right.  

Did you feel overwhelmed after watching yourself on the big screen at the trailer launch?

If you remember, I was the one who was shouting the loudest on seeing myself on the big screen. I didn't want the trailer to end. I saw people enjoying my entry and were even hooting. I belong to a small town and always saw the dream of becoming an actor. I was stupid enough to keep pursuing it. Magic and miracles happen to people who really believe in themselves. You have to be a bit crazy to survive in this industry. 

I was studying to become an architect. I had a safety plan in place- doing a job for 2 years after education and then coming to Mumbai. Had I followed that plan, I would have never got a chance to act in Taj Mahal 1989 (on Netflix), Super 30, Chhichhore and even Janhit Mein Jaari.  

You were in Chhichhore?

Yes, in the background. I had just a one-second-long role in Chhichhore. There was one only word in that one dialogue- “Bhai log, Bewda.” When this character named Bewda faced alcohol withdrawal after quitting liquor for the competition, a boy went up to the rest of the friends and said, “Bhai log, bewda.” I was that boy. I shot for that film for 27 days.  

You went from doing a one-second role to bagging a lead role. Is the feeling sinking in?

See, I never doubted myself. I did my role in Chhichhore with honesty and worked on Janhit Mein Jaari with equal dedication and enthusiasm. I never felt that I didn't belong to this world of cinema. 

When did the acting bug bite you?

I have no idea. Since childhood, I would enact scenes in front of the mirror, question scenes in films etc. When I gradually fell in love with cinema and acting, I wondered whether I was falling into the trap of glamour. This feeling came because I had no Godfather to guide me. I kept pursuing my dreams and even worked as an assistant director on Irrfan’s Qarib Qarib Single. He was the first one to tell me, "Tum actor bano. Tum na idhar ho na udhar ho, tum sahi jagah ho, actor ban jao." He tried to fit me in the film wherever possible and even saw me perform live. After that, I stopped working as an Assistant Director. When the God of acting gave a go-ahead, I didn't care about the world. Irrfan sir was too kind to tell this to an AD who was neglected by his own team. After that, I decided to not get distracted. 

Can we say Irrfan was the wind beneath your wings?

Absolutely. Unfortunately, he couldn't see my work. Irrfan sir and Sushant Singh Rajput's deaths affected me a lot. Though I was not clinically depressed, it was tough for me to cope. Irrfan sir passed away at a time when he was getting roles that matched his talent and brilliance. Kabhi kabhi main Irrfan sir ke qabra par chala jaata hu, namaste kar aata hu aur bolta hu, "Thoda sambhal lena".  

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Anud Singh Dhaka (@anudsinghdhaka)

As an actor, what are the roles you wish to do?

I wish to do comedy films. Apart from that, I am interested in action and sci-fi. When I say action, I don’t mean mindless action. Look at RRR, it was on a different level. Something like that I don’t mind doing. Why I said comedy is because I know people are going through various struggles, problems and crises. I just want them to live their lives happily. I want my films to make them feel good. I wish that my films give them the much-needed break from other stress.