Nothing seems to faze this young star. In fact it seems he's hardly even noticed his own versatility as he has made a seamless transition from his mute Bolo Raam character to doing more versatile roles not only in Bollywood or in films down South, but also for a French production. When Soham pointed out that he's doing variety and in different genres, he says, “With actors, the only time we talk about genres is when we're promoting a film and debating it with journalists,” smiles Rishi Bhutani who started his career with Bolo Raam that was his own home production. Here he tells Soham Siddharth how he does it in a brief chat.
Soham Siddharth Tell
us something about Rishi Bhutani - the person / the actor
Rishi Bhutani: As
me - the person, I change myself according to circumstances. I've learned how
to control situations better now. You keep learning all the time that's what life
is all about. As Rishi Bhutani - the actor, well should say, it's a bit tricky
question. But yes, before I act, I really like to get to know everything
possible about the character that I'm playing. I can't perform just for the
sake of it. But I have heard (though I did not have to face it yet) that
sometimes with many big banners, it happens that you don't know the whole
story. You know only 'your' scene and what you are doing and I feel it's a
great exercise for an actor to play things for face value. But said so, I would
love to have a tight bound script as opposed to “this is the scene where I'm
supposed to do this that way” as it works with television serials.
Tell us about your
family background and your qualifications.
I come from a business background and my qualifications
don't match at all that goes to be an actor. Well, I did my Bachelors in
Computers and then did my M.Sc. in Computer Science. However, my mind keeps
shifting from one thing to another. Once I completed my studies in IT, I thought
of doing something else, which would be more interesting to me, and bestowed
naturally with good looks, I thought of a career in acting. This in a way, you
can say, I found my calling in acting.
To debut with my own home production was not exactly a
choice. My elder brother wanted to start a production company and having
someone back home who is keen for acting, we thought why not? That laid the
foundation of our own home production - Bolo Raam - which was my debut film.
Currently we are working on another project with Shyam Benegal and making a
serial for Doordarshan, for which I'm handling the production.
You also did a
Kannada (Maarichaa) and a Tamil (PulippuInippu). How do you choose a film?
PulippuInippu released in December and the response was very
good. I am getting good offers from down South. Many speak about the
differences in South Film industry vis a vis Bollywood in terms of working
styles. However, I didn't find any difference. The only thing that I was a bit
wary earlier was of the communication language. But after doing a Kannada and a
Tamil, I don't mind trying other regional languages of the South which is the
hub today of real good films.
As for doing a Bollywood or a South film, it certainly
doesn't factor in my thought process. I don't go thinking - I want to do a
romantic comedy, so only show me romcoms from now on. What I really look for is
a good role with impact when I'm picking a role. I just look for a good script
and that is what really matters to me.
You were shooting in
Reunion Islands for a French film. How did this happen?
We always talk about French connection and now I have one. 3
months back I went to France. My short film was selected there and I got the
best actor award all thanks to Mr. Mukesh Kaneri (NIFF) and Miss Marianne
Borgo. It's a thriller film. I am playing an Indian guy who comes from India
for an assignment, then things start to go wrong. Can't say anymore about it
right now as I am bound by a contract.
So going from the big
budget films to Shorts. What made you try them out?
I would say, Short films are the new age cinema of today's
times. LOC and Office are the two short films that I have acted in and these
are still making its round at various film festivals and bringing in accolades.
It's another fact totally that I put in my everything irrespective it was a
short or a feature. I totally believe it's a new age of cinema and many short
films are also clubbed together and are released these days - be it Bombay
Talkies or Dus Kahaaniyaan. What is needed most is the honesty in designing a
project and if that translates onto screen, you have a winning entry. Let me
also tell you that I received this French film (that I was doing) through
Nashik International Film Festival. So, in a way, every good work pays.
What projects are you
working on now?
I would love to tell you as much as I can but I can't tell
you much! There's one big project that I can't talk about because I'm not
allowed to. Meanwhile, I have already finished shooting for my French film and
right now I'm headed straight to Delhi for the shooting for my next film with
Manoj Nautiyal. I'm missing Mumbai
terribly.
Your favourite films
/ actors, people who have inspired you.
I love reincarnation films and I'm a big fan of Rakesh
Roshan, he is the best. My family inspires me a lot, they are my greatest supporters.
Right in my debut film, I had the opportunity to work with stalwarts like
Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Padmini Kolhapure. They are institutions in
acting. However, it's my dream to be working with Govinda - he's one of the
best in my opinion and my favorite.
What challenges one
has to face in this profession?
It's as good as any other profession; it does however
require a lot of focus and patience. You need to be passionate about what you
want to achieve. Our film industry accepts anyone that is sincere about their
work. Just give your 100% you will achieve what you want in life.
What advice might you
have for any young actors trying to make their way into movies?
I think the main thing is that you really have to study and
train. Because I think what happens is that if you've really got a good look or
if you've got natural talent, talent is not enough, particularly in this day
and age. So you may have a particular look but that look may go out of style at
some point. Training and skills are the things that will sustain you over time
or else it may get more competitive later on. So just try and train and do as
many things as you can. Try and have as many experiences as possible, because
at the end of the day that's the kind of thing that will keep you in the game.
You can be given an opportunity but if you can't capitalize on it that's where
the difficult part comes in.
Your Motto in life
and what you believe in?
Life is full of surprises; accept whatever may come your
way. There is a deep logic behind everything that happens, which we cannot
understand at the moment because it's written by God.
That's Rishi for you - eager to please and happy to be working, with not a trace of the ego that could come with working not only in our industry but also for the French film industry. Meanwhile, one of his films “Jai Jawan Jai Kisaan” released this month where he shared screen space again with Om Puri who’s playing Dr. Rajendra Prasad while he is playing Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Right now, as Rishi prepares for another spin with ‘Zindagi Jhinga La La Re” this time in Delhi with Manoj Mautiyal, he admits that he is not going after volume of jobs: “I'm going after quality. There are a couple of movies I did in the past, but right now my focus is only on quality.” And we wish him all the best and hope he shines like a star in one of the biggest movie franchise of all time.
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