I don’t
think my looks are limiting me from getting opportunities
Amitash
Pradhan is definitely not your quintessential Kollywood hero. And if you wonder
why so despite all that good looks and charming smile. Well, we think that's
exactly what works against him. After all, Tamil cinema loves actors who have
boy-next-door looks, right? Not letting this get in the way of his Kollywood
ambitions, he made his debut as an antagonist in Velaiyilla Pattathari. Now,
Amul Baby Amitash has struck gold with his Hollywood project, Hearbeats, which
is all set to release this year in India. Directed by Duane Adler, the creator
of Step Up franchise, Amitash says he's living his dream by being a part of
this film. "I got this film during the lowest period in my life. I got a
call from a casting director in Mumbai, asking if I could dance. I am not a
trained dancer, but I still dance. I was asked to choose a hip-hop song, dance
to it and send across a video in two days' time. I did so. After 20 days, I got
a call, asking me to attend an audition. You might think that Duane, being the
maker of the biggest dance film franchise in the world, will be overbearing,
but I found him to be a really sweet person. For the film, I did dance
audition, 'chemistry' test and lot more. I was asked to choose steps in 10
minutes and appear for the audition. I gave it my all and was waiting to hear
from them. Finally, Duane told me that I've been selected to play the lead in
the project," says Amitash, adding, "I play Asim Kapoor, a struggling
choreographer. He is someone who's trying to make it big in a dance club. But
it is a tough journey for him. He meets Kayle, who has come to India from LA.
It is more
like hip-hop meets Bollywood. The scheduling was brilliant and the team was
extremely punctual. No phones were allowed on set and the team created a nice
space for an actor to perform. Also, I got to work with Ravi Varman. We bonded
well and he helped me both, personally and professionally. I am glad that the
film was received well in places like Dubai, UAE, and recently, in Germany as
well. I was there for the Berlin premiere last week and it was great to bask in
so much love from them for the film."
So, how did
acting happen for him? "My parents are from a film-loving family, and I,
too, grew up watching some fine films. Every time I did something noteworthy in
school, which could be as simple as finishing my homework, my mother would
ensure I got to watch a film. So, the love for movies started back then. It was
around that time that I saw Baazigar. I was so enthralled seeing Shah Rukh Khan
with a hat and a black cape that it took my fancy. I remember telling my mother
that I want to do that someday. As kids, of course, she didn't think I would be
serious. But once she realised I really liked performing on stage, she put me
in Little Theatre when I was eight or nine. I was doing theatre on and off till
I was about 24. I worked with Madras Players and Theatre Nisha. While I was
doing my Masters in electronic media in Anna University, I founded the theatre
group 'Theatron'. For me, it was important to be exposed to the right kind of
knowledge. Theatre training is very important as it forms the core of who you
are. And this training helped me when I was doing my Hollywood film,
Heartbeats, especially my diction. You cannot teach a person to act. Most of
the time, you only get a brief. So, it is up to the actor to emote a scene. And
this comes easily, if you have done theatre. I also went to Anupam Kher's
acting school and did everything that I needed to become an actor."
How did
Tamil cinema happen? "I am huge Rajinikanth fan. I got several chances to
interact with him, thanks to Anirudh, who has been a buddy since childhood.
Whenever I am down, I watch a Rajini sir's movie or one of his speeches to lift
my mood. After doing theatre, I was seriously pursuing acting as a career and
did a round of circulating my portfolio. But I got my first offer at the most
unlikely place — at Anirudh's sister's wedding. That's where Dhanush spotted me
and offered me the role of the antagonist. While I was happy, I was hesitant in
taking up a negative role. He told me that his father-in-law, too, started off
his career by doing such roles. In three months' time, we started the shoot.
VIP was special not just for me, but for all of us. Nobody expected it to be a
huge success and I am really grateful to have been a part of the film," he
says. Ask him why he isn't part of the sequel, not even in a cameo, and he
smiles, "It doesn't make sense, right? In the end of the first part, we
made peace. Why haven't I done a cameo? You have to ask Dhanush sir that."
But which 'Amul Baby' was better for Dhanush - Amitash or Kajol? "The
first part of VIP required a fresh face. Since it became a huge hit, the second
part needed a star. I haven't seen VIP2, so I really can't answer that. But I must
say that the chemistry Dhanush and I shared seemed to have worked well,"
he says.
As much as
the 'Amul Baby' tag gave him recognition, did that sort of limit him from
getting offers? "May be, but I am grateful for the unexpected recognition
it gave me. Post this Hollywood film, things might change. My role is in
complete contrast with what I did in VIP. I was offered quite a few scripts
post my debut, which pretty much fell in the same category. But to be fair, I
also got some offers that had me in different roles. I didn't connect to them,
though. I didn't want to do something for the heck of it. My priority wasn't
searching for quick money or roles. It is great to have those, of course, but I
want to do good roles. Stereotypes do exist, but look how Arvind Swami and
Madhavan have broken them! Today, things are changing and directors are
exploring characters," says Amitash. But wanting to be an actor so early
in his life... did this waiting period get to him? He says, "It has been
quite difficult. I finished shooting Heartbeats last February and have been
waiting for good work to come by. You need to have a lot of patience to become
an actor. I don't mind this gap, because when you do a good film, everything
else will be forgotten."
But what
does he have to say about 'good looking' stars finding it tough to find
opportunities? He reasons, "I think they are very empathetic towards the
stars. When an actor, who has a boy-next-door appeal, finds success on screen,
the audience feels it's namma payyan. Celebrated directors have reached top
positions because they do films dealing with their nativity. And, of course,
you need to cast actors that suit the role. You can't have Boman Irani doing a
Superman's role, right? I don't think my looks are limiting me from getting
offers. That connect is a lot more when a boy-next-door actor does it. Their
diction works well across Tamil Nadu. I am from Chennai and my Tamil diction is
of any other urban Chennaiite. Like I said, things are genuinely changing."
Ask him
about nepotism and whether it exists in the industry, and he smiles, "Not
much in Kollywood, but it does exist in the Indian film industry. There is
nothing wrong with an actor's son wanting to become an actor. But if you are
undeserving of a role, and are snatching others' opportunities, it becomes
unfair. And this is why we need more casting directors. You perform well; you
get the role on merit. And this sort of eliminates all talk about nepotism.
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