Sharman Joshi is sitting in a window-less room in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s office in Santa Cruz, Mumbai, with the air-conditioner off. “People I was sitting with earlier were feeling cold so they switched off the AC,” says the actor. That’s typical Sharman — attentive, polite and unassuming. So it comes as a bit of a shock when the 33-year-old starts talking about his next release Ferrari Ki Sawaari and his career path. “I want to be a part of minimum 10 great films in my career as an actor. I think Ferrari Ki Sawaari is going to be one of those. I am here for the long run, not a short run — 30-40 years is the minimum you should expect out of me. Don’t worry, there is plenty more to see from me. You will possibly get tired of seeing me for the next 30-40 years.”
Over a cup of black coffee (with no sugar), Sharman spoke to t2 about FKS the game-changer, the importance of money, and being his daughter’s favourite actor.
You haven’t had a release since Allah Ke Banday in 2010. Why such a long gap?
I have been frantically looking for work. I was constantly meeting people and reading scripts. But nothing exciting came my way until Ferrari Ki Sawaari. Looking back, I would do it again if it means working with the likes of Rajesh Mapuskar, Raju (Rajkumar) Hirani and VidhuVinod Chopra. Ferrari Ki Sawaari is one of those special films that can be a game-changer. I am so proud of FKS. I don’t think I would be exaggerating when I say that I would want FKS to be the last film I see before I die (laughs).
You have been using the term game-changer for FKS for a while now. What are you expecting this film to do for you?
I am hoping that FKS changes my career on multiple levels. Everyone has always loved me as an actor but they will be floored by me in this film because the character is written for me. I think the film is also going to be a huge box-office success so obviously how people perceive me in terms of my marketability will change.
The buzz in Bollywood is that you haven’t signed any film in two years as you are waiting for the success of FKS to hike up your price!
(Laughs loudly) Really? The easiest thing for me to do after 3 Idiots was to sign many films, but I didn’t. Money has never been the main criteria. It is just a by-product of the work I do. There is no doubt in my mind that I will have lots of money but my passion and love for what I do is more important. I want to be a part of films that go on to become classics.
How did FKS come your way?
About four years ago when we were working on 3 Idiots, there was talk about FKS. I remember thinking that there is something really catchy about the title. But I knew that I wasn’t being considered for the role and that there were some other names who were being spoken about.
A year after that, when the script for FKS had been locked down, I was travelling with Mr Hirani and he asked if I had signed anything after 3 Idiots. He was quite surprised and he told Vinod that I should be considered for FKS. I had to go through 30-40 auditions and even then I was just shortlisted for the role. Vinod was in LA those days for his film Broken Horses, so I flew down to meet him because I was so anxious to get the part.Vinod raved about my auditions. But he ended the conversation by saying ‘I will heavily recommend you to Rajesh (Mapuskar). He is the director and the final call has to be his’.
I was taken aback. Apparently, Rajesh still had reservations! Clearly, this wasn’t the easiest film to become a part of (laughs).
This is your 13th year in Bollywood. Are you happy with where you are in your career?
I am delighted. I understand that people expect me to be doing big films by this stage in my career. But what others might consider bigger or better films aren’t what I am interested in. I see big blockbusters, but they aren’t necessarily the kind of films that I want to be a part of. It might sound impractical but I love this insanity. This is my journey and I want to do it my way. I might not have five jet planes but I will have one (Laughs).
There is a sense that those who have worked closely with Aamir Khan imbibe his philosophy of doing select films. Obviously this hasn’t worked for all the actors. Does that worry you?
I can understand why people would think that someone like me would follow in the footsteps of a superstar like him but that’s not the case. I have known him only since Rang De Basanti (2006) while I have believed in this through my 13-year career. I am doing my own thing….
But is there a fear, what if this plan doesn’t work out?
If it doesn’t, I’ll live on the streets. I’ll go back to theatre. I am a person of extremities and I have weighed the pros and cons. I am not fooling myself so I know that there is a possibility that my career might not work out the way I want it to. But it doesn’t scare me. My wife (Prerna) is the only person who I am answerable to and obviously she knows and supports my career path.
You’ve kept your family away from the public eye.
If Prerna had it her way, she’d be in the limelight all the time. She is quite a star herself (laughs). Unfortunately for her, I am a very boring person who likes to stay away from the limelight when I am not at work. We’ve known each other for almost 20 years now, of which we have been married for eight. We have three wonderful children. Our daughter Khyana is six and our twin boys Rehan and Varryan are going to be three soon. To my relief and delight, my daughter recently told me that I was her favourite actor. The boys are at an adorable age right now. They are so much fun to be around. |
