ETimes sat down with the actor for an exclusive interview in which Shreyas talked about his coming from a film family, his merits as an actor in the industry, his romance with wife Deepti, his daughter’s reaction Aadya to his movies and so much more. Read on…
You have been in this industry for a long time now and have been a part of some very interesting stories. We still feel that you did not deserve yourself as an actor. Do you agree?
I’ve had some really interesting stories and worked with some of the best in the business. I don’t know what belongs to me in the industry. I don’t want to sound pompous or immodest. Coming from a humble and middle class background, I never envisioned myself as someone who could be part of the Hindi industry. To top it all off, I consider myself extremely lucky to have played the lead in films that have performed exceptionally well at the box office. I have more than I asked for. Sometimes I feel I have more than I deserve.
As an actor, I feel like there is so much more for me to explore and exploit. In this regard, I feel like I’m not done yet. I also treat each of my films as if they were my first. I try to give my best. As an actor, I still have a lot to do before I settle down.
Were there times when you went through a phase of insecurity? How did you overcome them?
I think every actor goes through this particular phase. You start to wonder if you’re in the right profession, if you really deserve to be here, or if you should be doing something else that your parents most likely wanted you to do. But I think you meet certain people in your life, and their advice makes things fall into place. For example, I met Johnny Lever, who motivated me. He helps when someone tells you to hold on and that what you are doing is good. The best actors have all gone through this stage and there is nothing you can do about it.
This is when you start to believe that there is a higher power and that there is a destiny. There is a cycle, and both good and bad times don’t last forever. Things keep changing and you just have to be patient. In times like these, family support is of the utmost importance, without it it is a lonely battle. My family really supported me in my lowest phase.
Not many know that you come from a family that has had ties to the film industry. However, unlike the so-called ‘star kids’, you’ve managed to carve your own way…
Yes, my aunts (Meena T and Jayshree T) have been in this industry, but that’s not how I got into acting. I got into this one because I started doing theater and got noticed when I was doing a few plays. My job got me more work, and that’s how I got here. The fact that I had people in my family in the industry hasn’t been on my mind for a long time. I really respected and appreciated their work. Whenever I visited their place as a kid, I was in awe of them. They were partly responsible for the aspiration I had for the industry.
That said, I just try to carve out my niche in any way I can. I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve also learned from them. I have no regrets. I don’t know if I’ve been successful yet. If not, I’ll keep trying.
Do you remember the moment you decided this was what you wanted to do with the rest of your life?
There comes a time when you question yourself. You start to feel that things are not working out and that you should try different things. But then you have a family to support and you can’t sit at home. You realize that this is the only thing you know and do best, in your own way. You know you won’t be able to do the job because you probably don’t have the temperament for it. It was during my college days that I realized this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. So I might as well think of it as a career option. That’s how I started working on it.
You became a director in 2017 with ‘Poshter Boyz’. Can we expect anything to happen on that front soon?
Yes, very soon. I directed another film, which I am also a part of as an actor. It is called ‘Sarkar Ki Seva Mein’. Hopefully, we’ll release it early next year. It is a life story about a boy who is a taxi driver and wants to become a government official. However, for a long time, he hasn’t been able to do that. He buys his own cab and unfortunately, the cab gets stolen. In the end, he has to steal her taxi to get back. What happens in between is what the film is about.
Unlike many others, who are skeptical of playing multi-stars, you have always maintained your position as a confident actor who has managed to stand out with his performance even in a crowd. Your thoughts…
I sincerely follow my instincts. You have one life and you have to live it. You have to take risks and risks. if you want to work with certain people. No matter what it is, you do. Making ‘Om Shanti Om’ was a spontaneous decision as I wanted to work with Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan. I just jumped into it and the rest is history. Similarly, when I narrated ‘Golmaal Returns’, I loved the story. After that, I just became part of the family. You can’t say no to Rohit Shetty for the kind of director he is.
As for my job, I love it. I come from a theater background where we are taught to respect our teammates and their work. Whatever you do is a team effort. You can’t do it alone. I don’t think much about these things. I don’t mind doing a multi-starrer. It doesn’t matter how many dialogues you have, if you say it right, you will automatically attract attention. It’s that simple. This is what I have observed, learned and tried to do.
Do you have any industry friends you hang out with?
I usually hang out with my childhood and college friends. I have a few friends in the industry, but they’re more acquaintances. I usually don’t go out with them. I’m not much of a party animal. I practically finish my work and go home. I try to spend as much time as possible with my family.
Tell us something about your love story with your wife, Deepti. How did love blossom between you two?
Well, the love story between Deepti and me was very unique. She was a general secretary in college and I was just getting into TV. The show and my character became popular. I was invited to her college. It was my first ever event as a “celebrity”. That’s where I first met her. It was a ‘dekha jo tujhe yaar dil mein baji guitar’ moment. Love happened and I really wasted no time. Four days after meeting her, I proposed. I told her I wanted to marry her. Obviously, she took her time to say yes. It took her four full years to get married.
However, I was sure of her from the start. The reason why it took her so long was because she wanted to go out of the country for further studies but due to some problems she couldn’t go. Eventually we took the relationship seriously, and after four years, she agreed to get married. She’s the only girl I’ve dated.
Does your daughter, Aadya, watch your movies?
Aadya has started watching the songs and some scenes from my movies now. She is four years old and doesn’t have the patience to watch the whole movie. Bits and pieces are what she looks at. Sometimes she comes to the sets and watches me work. She’s getting used to the idea of her father being an actor and him appearing on TV. She doesn’t react much to my films, unless it’s a song she dances to. There was a time when she felt that every hero on TV was her father. It doesn’t matter whether Shah Rukh Khan or Akshay Kumar was on the screen, the moment she saw them, he would say, ‘Daddy, you are dancing.’
Do you still have a list of actors you want to work with?
There’s a huge list of actors I want to work with, and Amitabh Bachchan tops that list. I just follow my gut, and that’s probably why I’m still working. I have no false notions, nor do I have these idiotic ideas about myself. I am an actor, a performer. I think you should leave certain things to the director and fate. Sometimes things work out and sometimes they don’t, but you keep doing your job.
You will soon be seen playing the role of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in ‘Emergency’. How are you preparing for the role?
Our director prepared for that part more than me. Kangana is very clear about what she wants. I’ve done my homework, and that’s how I’m playing my part. After a long time, I was really nervous about playing a certain character. Atal ji is huge and is loved all over the world. It’s difficult, but thanks to Kangana she is very clear. She clearly expresses whether she is satisfied or dissatisfied with the shot. I trust her and follow her instincts. She has been happy with it so far. After the release of the film, the audience will give their verdict.
What’s next?
Interestingly, there are a few films in my lineup and fortunately they’re not comedies. I have also been approached about comedy films and am considering them. There are two thrillers and a romantic comedy. Right now, I can’t really talk much about them. But whenever I’m given the green light to talk more about it, I definitely will.
