Engineering his success

 

 

Working with Rajkumar Hirani and Aamir Khan must have been a delight! What do you think makes them special?

Like they’ve tried to say in the film, I think they are, in all classic terms, idiots who actually have found their calling and followed their hearts. Even in cinema, both of them refuse to be dictated to by the norms of the industry.

What got you hooked on to the script of “3 Idiots”?

In plain and simple terms, the steering that my character, Farhan Qureshi, has in the film is exactly my real life story except that I didn’t want to be a wildlife photographer; I just believed that I didn’t want to be an engineer. I think I probably said the same lines to my dad. I think, strangely, every child would have had in one way or the other, spoken the same lines to their parents.

Have you read “Five Point Someone”?

Yes I have. In all honesty, the film is vastly different from “Five Point Someone” in terms of plot and story. There are some similar situations perhaps and a couple of dialogues. Apart from that, it is an extremely different story.

There seems to be a Farhan Qureshi in all of us – someone who tries to become something he truly wants to be but is pressured to seek the 'safe' and 'conventional' options. What can we do as a society to let a thousand Farhans bloom?

Well, in all honesty, every parent wants the best for their child except that earlier, kids had to rely on their parents’ experience to choose a career for themselves. But today, youngsters are extremely well-informed. There is the Internet; there are social networks and friends. You are so into every aspect of the profession right from your childhood that you, by far, have a better understanding of what you want to make out of your life than your parents. Parents find it difficult to let go; they feel they are being deprived of a right.

Which according to you is the most powerful scene in the film?

I can tell you the scene that touched me the most is the one that follows my scene with my father and of Sharman’s interview... When we come out, and Kareena and Aamir are waiting, and we do "jahanpana tussi great ho" to Aamir, and he can't hold back the tears... One of the most touching culmination of emotional scenes that I have ever seen.

So true... Which has been the most difficult scene in the movie for you?

I think the song, “All is Well” was very tough for me. It was funny, and I had to dance in a towel. I was really thrilled.

How were your college days?

My college days were a blast. I wish all the students have half as much excitement during their college days as I did during mine. Half the incidences in “3 Idiots” are from my college days. I was a hardcore non-conformist. I was in the NCC, I was a non-local in Kolhapur, so I had to face that many difficulties when I was trying to make a mark in college. Being with the locals, being a part of them and then getting married to one of the girls from their part of the state is a huge achievement in college.

Which has been the most valuable lesson that you've ever learnt from a teacher?

I had a very good teacher in Col. Sarkar, and he was my commanding officer in the NCC. He had once told me that the best way to intimidate your competition is simply by the way you look and the way you dress. Half the battle is won with your persona. I have implemented it in my life and have found it to be very useful. When I say 'look', I don’t mean sporting designer accessories and clothes, it is just the composure and the dignity with which you present yourself that kind of opens up doors for you.