I never had a godfather: Sushant Singh Rajput | Bollywood - Hindustan Times
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I never had a godfather: Sushant Singh Rajput

Hindustan Times | By, Mumbai
Aug 29, 2016 08:26 AM IST

Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput believes he will continue to be in a good place in Bollywood, as long as he keeps “trying new things”

Sushant Singh Rajput has been shooting for films back-to-back. In between, he also shifted to a new sea-facing apartment in Bandra (W).

Sushant Singh Rajput says if I knew exactly how things would pan out, he would be “bored to death”.
Sushant Singh Rajput says if I knew exactly how things would pan out, he would be “bored to death”.

“I still don’t feel fully settled. I am still doing up my house. It is very quiet, and has a great view. It is a perfect place to come back to after work, and do absolutely nothing,” says the actor, as he talks about his Bollywood journey so far, the praise he’s received for the trailer of his next, and more.

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Read: I am not dating anyone right now, says Sushant Singh Rajput

Your journey in the past three years has been quite eventful.

Now when I look back, it does seem so. The passion I felt while working with Abhishek (Kapoor; director) on Kai Po Che (2013), and the pride I experienced while working on Shuddh Desi Romance (2013), was great. I also enjoyed a seven-month-long ‘masterclass’ with Shekhar Kapur (director). I understood a different approach towards my craft thanks to Dibakar Banerjee (the director of Detective Byomkesh Bakshy; 2015). Then, you get to play MS Dhoni with Neeraj Pandey (director). These experiences are what I crave for.

Many consider you an outsider in the industry. Do you think the insider-outsider debate has become redundant now?

Only one thing can protect you from this prejudice — be really good at what you do and be professional. We have some of the biggest success stories of outsiders, and unfortunate ones of insiders. So, in the long run, it doesn’t matter.

Sushant Singh Rajput will next be seen in the MS Dhoni biopic.
Sushant Singh Rajput will next be seen in the MS Dhoni biopic.

In life, what do you prefer — a see-saw ride or a smooth run?

Definitely, a see-saw ride. If I knew exactly how things would pan out, I would be bored to death. The closest synonym of happiness is excitement, and you can generate it by doing something that you can’t completely comprehend. This understanding makes the process rich and exciting. So, you stumble over something new, and then work on it and make it your own. We should never forget the inevitable, as we will lose everything eventually. So, why fret over any kind of security? The idea is to just fly and experience it all while it lasts.

Your upcoming films look interesting. Are you excited?

If I wasn’t interested, I wouldn’t be doing what I do. I left everything I had, to become an actor. So, I better be excited, or otherwise, there is no point in doing all this. Else I would end up being disappointed with whatever I achieve.

Sushant Singh Rajput has recently wrapped up Raabta, co-starring Kriti Sanon.
Sushant Singh Rajput has recently wrapped up Raabta, co-starring Kriti Sanon.

You recently injured your knee on the sets of Raabta…

Yes. It is getting better now. I can’t run for one month, but then I am doing all kinds of acrobats in my head, so that is taken care of (smiles).

The trailer and songs of your next film (MS Dhoni’s biopic) are getting a great response. Are you nervous or confident?

Right now, these responses do nothing to me. I am relieved that everyone is excited and waiting for the film. I hope it becomes a hit, so that I get to do films like this again. I have witnessed Mahi’s (Dhoni) story closely, and it has changed me as a human being. Now I want everyone to witness it.

You have a bunch of films lined up. It seems like you are making up for lost time (he didn’t shoot for any film for some time after Shuddh Desi Romance; 2013).

Yes, I am waiting for quite a few exciting films to start. I have no idea how I am going to pull them off within the given time. But I am so excited. In the first three years [of my career], I was careful and analytical. But thinking like that is overrated; it is of no use. I am learning not to be careful now. I am learning the importance of living in the moment.

Sushant Singh Rajput’s Shuddh Desi Romance was a runaway hit in 2013.
Sushant Singh Rajput’s Shuddh Desi Romance was a runaway hit in 2013.

You recently tweeted about nepotism. Do you think nepotism is dangerous for any industry?

Of course. Over a period of time, if we keep giving chances to people who don’t have any talent or skills, then eventually, we will create an unbalanced equation. The whole industry will collapse because the target audience is being exposed to wonderful international cinema and talent. We are yet to reach that tipping point, but we must never take the audience’s understanding and our relevance for granted.

Your next project is being touted as your most commercial film…

Yes, in terms of having romance as a backdrop, and an engaging narrative, it is. I also got to flaunt my ninja skills and Michael Jackson moves (laughs). The experience has been fulfilling, but it was also really exhausting. I’m waiting for the movie’s final edit now.

Sushant Singh Rajput starred in Detective Byomkesh Bakshy, the Hindi film version of stories on the Bengali sleuth, Byomkesh Bakshi.
Sushant Singh Rajput starred in Detective Byomkesh Bakshy, the Hindi film version of stories on the Bengali sleuth, Byomkesh Bakshi.

You have some challenging films coming up. Do you think they will test your perseverance?

Perseverance exists only when you constantly think about the future, manoeuvre your way to reach your goal, and then hold on to your success. My sheer presence [in this industry], and the freedom to explore new things, gives me a kick. All the films that I will do in the near future will have the same ingredients.

Read: Kriti Sanon is ready to swear she didn’t go on a Thailand trip with Sushant

Have you built a safety net around yourself to not get affected by rumours about your personal life?

Yes, because they definitely affect you as you’re not used to it. But you do get immune after a point. You understand that these ‘stories’ have a shelf life. People who hire you don’t care about such frivolous stuff.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Prashant Singh is an Assistant Editor with HT Cafe. Besides bringing out the edition on a daily basis, he also extensively writes on Bollywood.

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