It’s that time of the year when CNN News18’s Rajeev Masand puts together the actors roundtable comprising the finest performers of the year. Ayushmann Khurrana (Andhadhun), Rajkummar Rao (Stree), Pankaj Tripathi (Stree), Vicky Kaushal (Sanju, Manmarziyaan) and Ranveer Singh (Padmaavat) got together to chat about their acting process, their toughest roles and the onset of the #MeToo movement.
Some big revelations were casually made during the show. Vicky is set to essay the character of the controversial Mughal ruler Aurangzeb in Takht, while Ranveer will slip into the skin of Aurangzeb’s brother, Dara Shikoh.
Rajeev starts by asking them whether they ever discuss the ‘craft’ of acting with a co-actor and not just the business or the industry. “It depends on who you gel with. I remember during Talaash, I had a detailed chat with Aamir (Khan) sir about how he prepares for his different roles. He was kind enough to chat with me for three hours, and speak about his experiences.” Ranveer laughed and said, “I only gossip!”
You can watch the roundtable here:
Rajeev also quizzed them about a skill they found extremely challenging to pick up for a role. To this Ayushmann said,
“Carrying a girl who weighed 90 kilos when I weighed 67 kilos in Dum Laga Ke Haisha. My trainer told me to behave like a coolie.”Ayushmann Khurrana, actor
But Panjak Tripathi said that it was not a particular skill but the fact that you have to jump between your state of mind to that of the character, which is most challenging. Rajkummar agreed and said that when he lost his mother while shooting Newton, it was the toughest for him. He said,
I came back after finishing the rites in a day, and I thought I would be fine. I still remember the camera would roll, and everyone was in front of me and I would be crying. Those were the toughest ten days.Rajkkumar Rao, actor
Ayushmann added that he too went through the same, when his wife Tahira was recently detected with cancer. He said,
I was promoting both my films Andhadhun and Badhaai Ho, while this news came and I had to be happy. Life is a great leveller like that, something goes and something comes.Ayushmann Khurrana, actor
The year has seen the ‘content driven film’ doing wonders at the box office while star vehicles like Thugs of Hindostan and Race 3 have failed. Pankaj attributes this to two things - the first being the importance given to the story and second the audiences. Ranveer summed up the debate by saying, “No matter how big your mounting is, if your film is not good, the audience is not going to come, period.”
Both Ranveer and Rajkummar have played negative characters this year in Padmaavat and Omerta respectively. Rajeev asks them if they had to keep their own moral compass aside.
Ranveer agreed and said that the reason Khilji resonated with people was because there was a certain honesty in his cruelty. “He was just unabashedly bad, and that I think connected with people,” he said.
I remember someone on set annoyed me and I was so into the character that I was about to pull his collar, till I stopped myself.Ranveer Singh, actor.
Rajkummar also had a similar story, he said,
When the Paris attacks happened, I was completely in character and thought, “Wow, well done.” Then I had to shake myself, and say get back to being Raj.Rajkummar Rao, actor
It’s also been an important year for the industry because of the #Metoo movement, where many women came out in the open with stories of being sexually harassed by men in positions of power. Rajeev asked them about their state of mind when the names started trickling in. “It was the need of the hour,” said Rajkummar. “As a country we want to make our women feel safe, and not let powerful men take advantage of them.”
Ranveer labelled the movement as ‘historic’ and ‘unprecedented’. He elaborated and said,
It’s superb and I can tell you that at the ground level I see a change. Men are scared as hell and will think twice. Yes, there is collateral damage, but that’s what happens when there is a resolution.Ranveer Singh, actor
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)