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Actors are chosen primarily because of their
good looks" |
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Posted on 27 January 2003
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You first notice the swagger, the confidence. You might mistake
it for arrogance but as soon as the actor 's garb is off you realise
there is an other side to Prabhat Bhattacharjee. That of a true
hot blood Bengali guy who is passionate about his career and everything
else around him.
His role as the lawyer son 'Ajay' in Kahaani Ghar Ghar
Kii currently airing on Star Plus and as Rahul in Zee's Kohi
Apna Sa were well appreciated by the audience. He has a list
of serials like Aasman se Aage, Khiladi, Manzile Apni Apni,
Kumkum and Kuch khona hai kuch paana hai to his credit
as an actor.
He came to Mumbai a few years ago to pursue martial arts as
a career, instead landed up in telly land. In an animated conversation,
he spoke about his sojourn in the television industry to indiantelevision's
Trupti Ghag.
Excerpts -
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It's quite an interesting journey, from martial arts to performing
arts. How was the journey charted?
I came to Mumbai some years ago to attend a martial arts tournament.
That was when I was fascinated by theatre, met a few artistes and
decided to join a theatre group. Meanwhile, I had already began
circulating my pictures. I then joined Anand Mahendroo's production
as an assistant to the director. Officially, I think I was just
a clap boy then. Can't really say those were the best of the times
but I nevertheless tried to stick around.
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Did you attend any acting classes?
Conventionally speaking, I am a late starter in the industry.
I never had the time to attend any classes since I already had a
lot of catching up to do.
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Do you think that it has
made a difference?
Well, both yes and no. In terms of acting, I think both theatre
and celluloid have been a good learning ground. But had I been a part
of some acting class, I would have been able to network better. |
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"I
think every actor is essentially a method actor"
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What acting techniques do you adopt while enacting a scene?
I need plenty of rehearsals. When I get the dialogues in my
hand, I just sit all by myself and enact the scene. I experiment
with the voice and the facial modulation. Then I rehearse with my
director.
Sometimes, I think my co-actors get short of patience but I take
it in my stride. I do not and cannot afford to compromise on details.
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What do mean by details?
All the minuscule details that make a particular scene believable,
the nitty-gritties of a scene. When enacting a scene, you emphasize
on your facial expression, your voice and your dialogue delivery.
All those will be enough to make a scene good but to make it even
more effective you need to pay attention to your posture, your hand
movements as well.
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So you are a method actor?
What is this whole hullabaloo about being a method actor or an
intuitive actor! I think every actor is essentially a method actor.
It may look as though acting comes naturally to a few people but I
have no doubt that there is lot of effort and study behind it. Every
spontaneous actor essentially starts off as a method actor. |
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How did your role as Ajay in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii come
about? What is the kind of homework that you put in while
enacting that role?
I got a call from Balaji saying Ektaa Kapoor had liked my earlier
performance and they were keen to sign me for their new project.
That was good enough for me. Before I knew it, the part was mine.
As for the homework, I spoke about the character with the director
and the producers. After a few sessions, I began to understand the
character. He is passionate about his family and he is ambitious,I
could identify with some of his traits. At times he is quite selfish,
that wasn't to hard to understand either.
Normally, I etch out the character that I am to enact. I discuss
him, try and understand him.
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What are the kind of roles
that attract you?
The roles that essentially enable me to perform, help me to learn
the craft. I should be able to showcase my acting skills. The role
may not be that of a protagonist but I certainly object if I am slotted
based on my looks. |
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Aren't actors signed because they act well?
(smirks) On the contrary, actors are chosen on primarily because
of their good looks. Television has of late become so cosmetic.
I have serious issues about the whole thing. There are times when
I am uncomfortable with the entire scenario.
(after a pause) At times, I think the industry should rethink,
then looking at the kind of competition they face, I don't blame
them. The audience today will not mind if the actor is wooden but
will, if he is a not a looker. Actors should look the part.
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You don't seem to be quite at ease in this industry. What is
it that bothers you the most?
I came into this industry to perform, to present my creativity.
I had naturally assumed that people in the industry were just like
me. But to my dismay, I found most people more interested in the
fame, the glamour and the monetary part!
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But aren't money and fame
an integral part of this industry?
Of course they are! Heck, I'd be lying if I say I don't want
a part of it. But what I am against is the attitude of the artistes.
Rehearsal is a passé term nowadays. Actors do not put in efforts
to better themselves. They just concentrate on finishing off as many
shoots as possible in a day and fill in their kitty. I cannot work
like that. |
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"Television
has of late become so cosmetic."
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How do you rate yourself
as an actor?
Honestly, I don't think I can call myself an accomplished actor.
I have just arrived. There are times when I do not like myself on
screen. Most of the times, I think I could do with some improvement. |
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So, how do you go about learning and improvising your performance?
Learn from watching my seniors. I absolutely love to watch Amitabh
Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Manoj Bajpai, Nicolas Cage, Dustin Hoffman
perform. There is so much that I learn from them. Watching Shah
Rukh Khan at times is a great learning experience, it is amazing
to know how many details and nuances he puts in one scene.
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"Rehearsal
is a passé term nowadays" |
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Who are your favourite
directors?
Anurag Basu, 'Kahani..'s Gary, Sanjay Upadhyay... there
are a few more to add to that list. All these people know how to tap
an actor's creativity. The passion that these guys have for their
career is refreshing. They have a trained eye for details and there
is so much depth in their talk. They are tolerant and ever willing
to teach. |
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Tell us something about your most memorable performance so far?
I have signed on a movie Pehchan co-starring Raveena
Tandon. I am playing a character with grey shades, actually that
of a politician. I just shot for a courtroom scene a few days ago
and after I gave my shot the entire team applauded. It is the most
memorable experience so far.
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Does that mean we won't see Prabhat
on the small screen after a while?
No. I am currently also shooting for a serial Saara Akash. My
role is that of a squadron leader, it's quite an interesting role. |
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What is the one thing that you want to do but haven't been able
to?
On the professional front, I want to go back to perform on the
stage. My experience with theatre may have been a small one
but the impact it left on my mind certainly isn't.
On the personal front, (gets pensive) I want to make a difference
in people's attitude. I think people are too cold and indifferent
to others' suffering.
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