With only days to go for the release of his film Fidaa, the film’s hero, Yash Dasgupta spent a Saturday with t2 in his flat in Diamond City (Tollygunge Karunamoyee). “I’ve been here since 2014. Then I was on rent. I bought this flat last October. I love this place. It has a lot of open spaces, and is really peaceful,” says Yash. A t2 chat... 

Fidaa is a love story. Who was your first crush?

My physical education teacher in Class VI in Bombay. She was very beautiful. Later on she got married and I was heart-broken. I used to look forward to her classes so that I could impress her. My friends used to tease me; they would say, “Look, she smiled at you!” 

Did she inspire you to start gymming?!

(Laughs out loud) Not exactly. I was into studies then. I started working out from Class X. So naturally I was broader than the other boys. 
 
 

When did you have your first girlfriend?

Class IV or V. She used to wait for me at tuitions. I was in Bombay for four-five years and then my dad got transferred. We couldn’t stay in touch after that. Many years later, when I went back to Bombay we got in touch and we figured out that we were really stupid years ago. 

Fidaa (directed by Pathikrit Basu, the film releases on July 13) is about the first love of your life… it’s about the first serious relationship. The steps that you take once you are in a relationship are tough... it’s all about how you deal with situations, ego and the difference in point of view. Some are practical while others take decisions based on emotions. Fidaa is about that… it revolves around two people in love with different perspectives. I play Ishan (an architect).        

How do you remember your first love?

It was immature. Ishan in Fidaa started chasing Khushi (debutante actress Sanjana Banerjee). But I’ve never done that. I would make the other person understand that I have feelings for her and then make her tell me. I don’t remember telling anyone, ‘You are beautiful, I love you.’ I have never done that.  

Is it about ego or are you shy?

I don’t know. I haven’t figured it out. I have never fallen for girls from my school or college. My Class IV girlfriend was not from my school (smiles). 

SNAPCHAT

The craziest gossip you’ve heard about yourself?

That I am very arrogant and a snob. Guess that stems from the fact that I don’t talk much to people and majorly keep to myself. I open up with people I want to and I don’t understand why speaking less is considered as being arrogant.
How do you deal with the female attention?

I love that attention and adulation… we all work for this craze, so that they shower us with attention. That’s what separates us heroes from the character artistes. But then there have been instances that were not normal… like when they pulled at my T-shirt or my cheeks.  

Any crazy fan moment?

At a fan meet, a girl started kissing me! I didn’t know how to react. We were all zapped. Another time, a girl came up to me and said, ‘Can I kiss you on your lips?’ I stopped her. 

Would you like to direct a film some day?

I have thought of it. But I am happy to be a hero. I have other issues… being a hero, I enjoy certain privileges… like my director knows my energy levels are great even at 3am… and I wake up late (laughs). If I become a director, I have to be the first on set.    

You are a petrolhead…

I love to drive my cars. I am also fascinated by bikes. But I am not allowed to buy one. 

Fave films... 

The Rocky series. It inspires me a lot. I go back to them. Also Marley &  Me. I’d love to do a film like that here. And Hachi: A Dog’s Tale.

You are a horror film fan…

I’ve watched them all. My top three? Mama, Lights Out and the third is a tie between The Conjuring and Insidious. I watch horror films at midnight with the lights off. 

Fave travel destination... 

Fethiye in Turkey… and wherever there are beaches. 

You are popular for being the angry young man and the intense lover on screen. Which actors do you draw inspiration from?

Al Pacino, Sylvester Stallone, Ranbir Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Uttam Kumar. 

Music faves...

Kishore Kumar to Eminem. 

A prized possession...

My family, Brutus (his pet). I draw strength from my family to face the world. 

Your message to fans...

Come together and support our industry. Watch the films. Don’t dismiss films before watching them. Fidaa is the most realistic film I’ve ever done. The characters are very real. Guys will identify with Ishan and girls with Khushi. Fidaa’s message? Set aside your ego and speak your heart out. 

Is there one character you would like to do in films?

I’d love to do a Bengali Bond. If you make a Bengali Bond, I’ll go for that. You give me a suit and gun, I’ll look fantastic. I want to do all kinds of films. I don’t understand this division between commercial and parallel cinema. I am all for content-driven films. 
 
Do you ever think of branching out?

I am more a creative guy than a business guy. I am passionate about the whole filmmaking process. 

What do we lack in Tollywood?
There is a dearth of good scriptwriters for commercial films. 

Text: Arindam Chatterjee. Pictures: Rashbehari Das