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?The Rising? of local lad Deepraj Rana in Bollywood
THEATRE ARTIST, accomplished actor and a villain. He wears many hat and wears them well. But for Deepraj Rana, a local lad from Allahabad who made his debut in 'Main Azad Hoon' with Amitabh Bachchan way back in 1988-89, the acting became his first love when he was just in Class IIIrd at Boys High School.
THEATRE ARTIST, accomplished actor and a villain. He wears many hat and wears them well. But for Deepraj Rana, a local lad from Allahabad who made his debut in 'Main Azad Hoon' with Amitabh Bachchan way back in 1988-89, the acting became his first love when he was just in Class IIIrd at Boys High School.
"While in IIIrd we were given a class work to fill in the blank about what we want to become, when we grow up. My class mates mentioned different profession like doctors or engineer but I wrote that I want to become an actor, which was quite unusual at that time. Surprised by my answer my class teacher showed my copy to my mother who was also a teacher in the same school. Even also a little taken aback by my answer," said Deepraj, recollecting a childhood tale.
He was so passionate for acting that he did PG in theatre from Department of Indian Theatre Punjab University and joined Nadira Babbar's 'Ekjut' theatre group. After trying his hands in serials like Udan, he managed to bag some good roles in Main Azad Hoon, Khel, Aanch with Nana Patekar and more recently Mangal Pandey, in which he donned the role of Tantya Tope.
"I have always loved to do a villain's character in the movie because it has a lot of scope for drama." But despite having not many movies in hand does he compromise with the roles coming his way. "That is one thing which I can never do in my life. I am still in a struggling phase but I never accept nonsense characters. As results of which I am doing a central role of Dy SP in forthcoming movie 'Khoj' and a lead character in Vinod Pandey's 'Red Swastika' based on the story of female psychopath killer. I work very hard on my diction's and mannerism for any role and efforts has paid off," he added.
When asked how important it is to have a godfather in film industry he was quick to add, "It is a hard truth that very few lucky people succeed in film industry without a godfather. But again it is the patience, performance and your talent that ultimately counts."
Deepraj also wants to change the image of UP when it comes to shot a big-budget movie in the locales of the state. "But before that one needs to change the mindset of local people."
He is also eagerly waiting for his dream role offer. "I want to play Jack Nicholsen's character in famous Hollywood movie One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest."
He is in the city to shoot for a movie 'Doshi'.
