Anurag Sinha in Black And White and (above) with Subhash Ghai

He’s made Bollywood history by introducing and re-introducing top heroines like Manisha, Madhuri, Mahima and Aishwarya. But this time, Subhash Showman Ghai is introducing a hero. The strapping angry young man in question is Anurag Sinha. Here’s a colourful chit chat with the Black and White debutant.

Birthdate: November 6, 1982.

Hometown: Patna

School: Birla Vidya Mandir in Nainital and Scindia School Gwalior.

College: St Stephen’s College, Delhi; chemistry (hons).

Acting: Film and Television Institute of Pune.

Lucky break: The acting course at FTII was stopped in the 1970s. It opened again in 2004. Fortunately, it was the same year that I had completed my graduation. I belonged to the first batch.

Beyond books: I was very good in studies. So everybody expected me to be a scientist. But I asked myself whether I really wanted to do it. I thought it was a much better idea to go ahead and achieve my dreams.

The actor in me: I wanted to be a hero, but I had not been talking about it to anyone except myself.

Gladiator moment: I have been watching films since when I was really young. But the film which really got me going and asked me to take up acting was Gladiator. After watching it I felt like: “Let’s do cinema, man!” I am also a great fan of Stanley Kubrick and Francis Ford Coppola as film-makers. Then Majid Majidi’s films have really had an impact on me. And recently I was blown over by The City of God. Here, I am a big fan of Dilip Kumarji, Amitabh Bachchan and Naseeruddin Shah. I love Agneepath.

Black and White: For me, Black and White means great happiness and a lot of satisfaction. I hope that it is a surprise for everyone who watches the film... When I was offered the film, my first reaction was of happiness. But I didn’t waste any time and started work on my character rightaway. That was more important than celebrating the break. Now I am happy with my performance but I don’t know how happy I will be when the film releases on March 7.

School to screen: People feel that acting courses do not help you but while working in Black and White, I could very much apply what I learnt in FTII. You get an opportunity and if you don’t use the skills and techniques, then all goes to waste.

A Subhash Ghai fan: Why not? I have been watching his films for a long time. I remember I ran away from school to catch Pardes. There were several other films for which I bunked school but for Pardes I did not get caught!

Not an un-Ghai film: He’s the same man who made films like Khalnayak and Ram Lakhan. It is the script and narrative which is different. And since it is Subhash Ghai himself who is directing the film, it doesn’t matter to me whether it’s like or unlike him. The script is powerful and strong enough for me to be happy with it.

Day One of shooting: I was very excited and full of energy. The first shot I gave was in front of the Red Fort and that is a moment I will cherish and remember all my life. Bahut mazaa aaya...

Being Numer Qazi: I am playing a fundamentalist in the film. There is a certain level of irony, mysticism and intrigue in this character. That is something very close to me as an actor. The best part of the film is when he questions his own identity after a string of events. And that is what makes him grow.

Homework: I did a lot of work on the background and history of the character but I do not want to sound pompous. Also, I worked on my physicality. I have never kept a moustache in my life. And here I was with so much facial hair.

Guru cool: People like Anil Kapoor and Shefali Shah are not only very good actors but they are also great human beings because they make others around them so comfortable. You don’t feel any hitch about your performance.

Does Anurag Sinha have it in him to be a hero? Tell t2@abpmail.com