Sufi ROARs : A honest confession from Aaran Chaudhary

Winner of the Glad Rags Megamodel Manhunt 2010, Aaran Chaudhary was a mariner (served as navigation officer on commercial vessels worldwide, almost 122 countries including troubled waters of Iraq,Persian Gulf, S.Korea, Somalia & other African Nations) till he decided to quit and serve his passion and dream of joining the modeling and film industry. And Roar - Tigers of the Sunderbans happened to him post his Ek Tha Tiger.

It was a great start for me in Fashion Industry after I won Glagrags Megamodel Manhunt (Mr India title),& was titled' Best Male Model On Ramp' IN 2010, & Represented India at International Manhunt claiming more titles, But aim was to make a mark in Film Industry. It was the usual hardship and struggle like others and I was completely unnoticed till the time when I was offered an Audition Script. And guess what, I got short-listed too. It was precisely during May'2012 and for ROAR. This was the time when I first heard about "Roar-The Tigers Of Sunderbans". I went through three rounds of auditions in total and then, had a narration by Director Mr Kamal Sadanah. Since, I was seated with the few shortlisted ones, I was really happy about it. But after the narration, the main question on my mind was not 'whether I will do ROAR or not', instead, it was 'whether they will take me onboard or not'. Apart from looking for a big break as a fresher, after narration, I was deeply convinced that this is a hell of a Script and this is certainly going to be Dream Launch for any Newcomer.

Kamal Sir was always on a move - in & out of Mumbai, for script development, and so, I didn't had any confirmation. The very thought whether I was Dropped from the project actually used to make me feel low. Because, frankly speaking, it’s very rare to find good projects, looking for Fresh-Faces. No one trusts you when you are new and just like others, even me too was badly looking for that one single chance to prove that I am also worth something.

Finally, in September'2012, Kamal sir gave me the confirmation that I have been selected to play One of the Prime Character "SUFI" and that our workshops will be starting soon. My joy knew no bounds. It was a Dream Come True moment for me. And My Journey with "ROAR – THE TIGERS OF SUDERBANS" began.

The Preparation & Approach towards characters seemed very promising from day one coz of our dedicated workshops for Script & Action.But still, I was confused that what I am supposed to do to be SUFI of "ROAR" ,and hesitatingly I asked Kamal Sir "Sir, what am I supposed to do to be Sufi, how exactly have you imagined him in your script?" And he smiled & replied "Aaran, you are SUFI, that's why you are here. Don't try to be anyone, just be yourself."

We were told that whole team will be shooting at real locations i.e; deep-dense Forests,absolutely in mid of No-where and to be working efficiently there,we have to go through regress physical training. It was no-random jungle location. It was THE SUNDERBANS - The largest mangrove forest - The largest Delta of the world. The home of Royal Bengal Tigers. Apart from being isolated from social life, cell phones and internet, we were going to encounter Real situations having Wild animals, tigers, crocodiles, snakes, dangerous insects and last but not the least, severe dehydrating conditions. So Prior to leaving, we had undergone all sort of trainings required for action, script and acting performance under Alan Amin Sir, ShifuJi & Bhatia Sir. Our whole team got along very well during this whole process, and things became very smooth for everyone because of the mutual co-operation. And finally, 13th Nov' 2013 (Diwali morning), we all left for the Sunderbans.

I have always been into adventures though out my whole life - even the fact that I was a contestant of Khatron Ke Khiladi before doing this. But this time, for me, it was not an adventure trip at all or a sight seeing trip to the Biggest Delta of the World. It was purely WORK for me and My First Big Step towards My New life & New Career. This was My that One Chance, I wanted badly.

Still I want to share the most beautiful thing about Sunderbans that is the early morning time. I am an early riser and I like my morning to be very quiet and peaceful, with no one around .The Sunderbans mornings were simply Mesmerizing for me, like as in Ashram or in the mid of the Mountains.

Till the time one doesn't see the movie ROAR, you wont realize the hard work and whole Team's great efforts, kind of locations we worked in, and all other things that are so well covered, shown and explained in the Making Of Roar. Undoubtedly, the whole team managed this almost impossible feat. It was indeed a very different shoot in the Sunderbans where everyone of us were so passionately involved in the maing and everyone was balancing their act amazingly throughout the rough course of Sunderbans Schedule.

I would also like to share that my only source of inspiration throughout this entire Roar journey, was my director Mr Kamal Sadanah. He actually lives his life on these lines. "Dont waste your time doing whatever, but once you decide what to do, then, put your life into it". I can never forget his dedication, and the extent of commitment he has gone for his One Single Dream "Roar- Tigers of the Sunderbans".

Along with the two close friends, our Producer Mr Abis Rizvi, who had invested so much on his common dream "Roar" with Director Mr Kamal Sadanah, we all, of course expect a huge success coz we so so much believe in it. And apart from the individual careers associated, and the kind of huge money involved in making this project, I want Roar to be a Success story and a benchmark, so that, tomorrow big Production houses can trust New talents and 'Any New comer from Nowhere' coming to Mumbai with Big Dreams, can say to Our Film Industry that "Yes, you can bet upon me."

Thank You Abis Rizvi Sir & Thank You Kamal Sadanah Sir.

And it was an honor to work with you Michael Watson Sir.

(An excerpt from Roar - Tigers of the Sunderbans)