New Delhi: Tusshar Kapoor had a dream debut in Satish Kaushik's 'Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai' but some bad decisions hampered his career afterwards. Then the success of 'Golmaal' series fetched the filmmakers' attention towards him. 'Shootout at Lokhandwala', and 'Shor in the City' showcased his range. Tusshar is again all set to hit the screens with 'Chaar Din Ki Chandni'. Tusshar talks about his career and journey so far in the Hindi film industry.
Q: How did the transition from the finance world to the film world happen?
A: I was doing my degree in finance, and I used to think that the business world is more enjoyable than the film world. I also worked for a year in the corporate world before realising that films are my passion. I used to watch Hindi films so I decided to come back to India after one year to pursue a career in films without knowing whether it would be acting, directing or something else.
Q: You started as an assistant director.
A: I became an assistant director to David Dhawan. I was very confused about what to do when Rumi Jaffery recommended me to Satish Kaushik.
Q: Being the son of Jeetendra must have helped in the beginning?
A: Because of my education in abroad I always wanted to be launched on my own. Your own confidence gets higher when you find that somebody else is willing to put money on you. So I became an assistant to David Dhawan and started going with the flow when I got the chance to act in Vashu Bhagnani's 'Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai'.
Q: Vashu Bhagnani was established till then.
A: He had already given hits like 'Coolie No. 1', 'Hero No. 1', and 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' so I just jumped into acting, but I was absolutely clear in my mind that I will not start with my home production. Professional and personal were always separate for me.
Q: But you have done many home productions.
A: Yes, I have done some home productions but that's only when the director finds me suitable for the role. Sometimes, I have left roles despite being asked to act them. It's like a balance.
Q: Don't you think you could have done the Rajkumar Yadav's character in 'LSD'?
A: I wish I could have got that chance. I would have loved to do that role. I got Raj and DK's 'Shor in the City', then 'The Dirty Picture', but only the director will decide about my casting.
Q: You have made some bad decisions in your career.
A: I won't lie about it. I have done bad films but it's the part of the learning curve. I was raw, inexperienced and some directors were also new so it happened. But I decided to do quality films after 'Khakee'. It was a turning point after 3-4 years of my first film. Then 'Kya Kool Hai Hum', 'Golmaal', 'Shootout at Lokhandwala' and 'Golmaal 2' happened and I started to come out of the bad decision phase.
Q: Critics say Tusshar is good in silent comedies only.
A: (Laughs) Making people laugh is difficult, with dialogue or without dialogue. As long as the audience is happy with my work, I am ok with criticism. I don't plan my career like how much comedy I will do or how much action I will do, I just go with the flow. Priyadarshan gave me 'Dhol' after watching my performance in 'Golmaal', thankfully there have been opportunities for me outside the common genres also. I hear the script and if the director and producer are good, I do the film.
Q: Why do you still need to copy Jeetendra?
A: I didn't suggest Sameer but probably it's the after effect of 'Yamla Pagla Deewana' where everybody was dancing in his own style. And I admit that even today my father is a bigger star for the mass. Today's audience can go and see 'Golmaal' but in the heartland he is a big name. He has been on the screen since 35 years. He is much bigger than me. So copying my father is not bad I guess.
Q: 'Chaar Din Ki Chandni' appears a lot like 'Yamla Pagla Deewana'.
A: I signed the film because narration was really good. It's for class and mass both. You can say its 'YPD Part 2' but with a different story. The flavour is same with added attraction of Rajasthan. Basic premise is same but the story line is new.
Q: You're also doing 'Shootout at Wadala'.
A: I am playing a 70s don Shaikh Munir in 'Shootout at Wadala'. It's a good role. Commercial films are also important. (Smiles)
Q: You started your career with Kareena Kapoor and she has reached to the top.
A: I feel very happy for her that she has reached this status. And she has done this in a very short span. But the career graph of heroes is different than heroines. Heroines have a shorter career span and they reach to the top faster, things move much faster for them but this is no excuse. As far as things are moving upwards for me, I am happy but she has really skyrocketed. Many of my films have been instrumental in her career. 'Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai', 'Golmaal', and 'Golmaal 2' are very important films of her career too. 'Jab We Met' was there but before 'JWM' it was a lull, 'JWM', 'Golmaal' and 'Golmaal 2' made her entry into the number one league.
Q: Are you not limiting yourself to comedies only?
A: An actor can't leave a genre. Why should I limit myself to a certain genre? The audience will decide what I should do. A lot of people liked 'Shor in the City' but comedies are also important. I am doing a rough, cheeky, and witty character in 'Shootout at Wadala'. 'Kya Super Kool Hai Hum' and 'Chaar Din Ki Chandni' are also coming. So far just three films. And 'Shootout at Wadala' is first prequel in the history of Hindi cinema.####
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