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'I don't mind using my body to convey emotion'

By PRATEEK SUR
August 03, 2021 12:16 IST

'Every actor has a vehicle to convey a gamut of emotions.'
'My next film, Kun Faya Kun, doesn't have a single body shot.'

Harshvardhan Rane seems quite happy with the way his career is shaping up.

The actor, who was recently seen in Haseen Dillruba, tells Rediff.com Contributor Prateek Sur, "I want to be a part of films which audiences enjoy."

Your previous films haven't been as massively talked about as Haseen Dillruba.

I can't call my three films -- Sanam Teri Kasam, Paltan and Taish -- hits.

It would not be true if an artiste says he does a film just for art; reaching out to a wide audience does matter.

Everyone comes from a different school of thought. I come from the school of thought where it's important for the producer to make money.

I want to be successful too. And that is something which has not happened with the films I mentioned.

I want to be a part of films which audiences enjoy.

Even though your character was a small role, what drew you to it?

The emotional intelligence of my writer and director is what drew me towards this film because these are the people who know how to show three great characters in the most human way possible.

The film is about three people with flaws.

It's not about two good people and one bad person.

You always relate to at least one character at a time, and the courage to portray that comes from the experience of Vinil Mathew, who must have directed 300-400 advertisement films.

When I heard the narration, I couldn't guess till the very end as to what would happen. It kept me at the edge of my seat.

You had some intense intimate scenes with Taapsee Pannu in the movie. How did you break the ice with her?

For actors, it's merely doing our jobs.

My personal approach is to bring out the romance.

I search every corner of my soul, gather those impulses together and express myself while I am acting. I think about all the romantic things in my life.

Taapsee and I didn't need any ice-breaker.

Were you nervous?

The sexual tension was in the script.

As an actor, you have your own set of ways to approach such scenes.

As far as nervousness is concerned, it's a hindrance for the producer since the actors are paid by the hour on a set.

So we don't have that leisure to enjoy nervousness on set.

As an actor, you need to stick to your commitments and do your job.

Even in a BTS video that was released, you seemed so shy while shooting with Taapsee. Are you a shy person?

I think the shot was such that it was made to incite shyness.

Not all of us are extroverts; I am not that kind of person.

I like to keep it to myself.

I'm definitely not the kind of person who is the life of a party.

In an interview, Taapsee said you and Vikrant Massey looked scared of her during the intimate scenes. Were you?

That's just Taapsee's way of talking. I don't think she meant it.

She is a very funny girl.

She has a peculiar way of saying things in a very funny way.

Vikrant is a very concerned actor, whether it was me or Taapsee. He would always ask us if we're doing alright before the scene.

There's a scene where Vikrant and I hit each other and for that, he would always ask me if I'm okay.

You are one of those actors whose body and physical good looks play an important part in getting cast for roles. Do you think you have been stereotyped in such roles where you have to show your body a lot?

Every actor has a vehicle to convey a gamut of emotions. It depends on what your choice of vehicle is.

Some actors are great in comedy.

Some actor's vehicle is the intensity, Ajay Devgn sir.

Aamir Khan sir says it with sincerity, Salman Khan sir says it with heart, Shah Rukh Khan sir says it with sharp articulation.

It all comes down to your choice of vehicle.

I don't mind using a certain vehicle to convey emotion.

I have done just four films so far.

But yes, my next film, Kun Faya Kun, doesn't have a single body shot.

I have just started my journey.

Only when I do 50-60 films will I be in a position to answer that if I'm being stereotyped or not.

You travel a lot. Amidst so much work, how do you find time to travel?

We find time to do the things that we love.

I love traveling.

I feel alive when I am in the mountains.

It's our primary responsibility to take care of our mind and body. I don't understand how people take it so lightly because for me, this is the most important thing.

So when there's no shoot, I take off to the mountains.

Photograph: Kind courtesy Harshvardhan Rane/Instagram

What's the progress on Nilesh Sahay's action film?

Yes. The title has not been finalised yet.

I'm doing high altitude training for that film currently.

Since it's my first action film, I want to give it my all.

When will Kun Faya Kun release? Are you looking at an OTT or theatrical release?

When big films like Radhe, Laxmmi or Bhuj are coming out on OTT, people like us are not anywhere close to these films. So obviously Kun Faya Kun will come on OTT.

This film is very close to my heart, like Haseen Dillruba.

When I first heard it, I was fully consumed by the script.

Have you already started shooting Tara Vs Bilal? How much is John Abraham involved in the project?

The name Tara Vs Bilalis not final yet.

The shoot has not started as there is a travel ban in our country. It will take place in the UK and we're waiting for the travel ban on India to get lifted.

John sir and T-Series are producing the film.

I am very excited about this film because finally, the work has started flowing in for me.

Even some of the directors who had promised me work in the earlier stages of my career, that is getting converted now (into offers).

So it's a good time.

PRATEEK SUR

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