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Making it big in the Indian film industry is not easy and it definitely wasn’t a cakewalk for actor Vikrant Massey. Vikrant started getting rewarded for his hard work after sweating it out for nearly a decade. His journey from a 2014 TV serial ‘Kahaan Hoo Main’ to starring alongside actor Deepika Padukone in ‘Chhapaak’ has been a rollercoaster ride.
Admitting that it’s difficult for small screen actors to get a breakthrough in Bollywood, Vikrant said to Times Of India, “Sabke struggles alag hote hain, but we grow up in a culture where films are perceived as idealistic. We idolise filmmakers and what’s it like to be a film star. All those notions are destroyed when you try becoming a movie actor.” The Mumbai born actor also divulged that “TV actors ko filmon mein badey parts nahi miltey.” He was quoted as saying:
“Do-teen scenes ke role milte hai, yeh perception ban gaya hai and it’s true to an extent. People think since you’re a household name, you lack fresh appeal. Why does it take someone’s (Sushant Singh Rajput) death for us to be kinder?”
He went on to explain:
“I was told to my face I am not quintessential hero material. I am not the good-looking guy with biceps. Yeh sab sunke aapki himmat toot jaati hai. These comments weren’t positive and I took it personally.”
“I was angry, but I used that anger to prove these people wrong. As an actor, I had over 10 years of experience in TV, but that wasn’t counted. You have to start from scratch and you have to adapt as these two are different mediums with different priorities.”
Opening up on the insider vs outsider debate, the ‘Balika Vadhu’ actor said that it is tougher for outsiders. “Unless you are a good actor, you won’t survive. As far as the disparity is concerned, it is tougher for outsiders. Star kids have access to information that we don’t. Unko dhoop mein bithaake nahi rakhte, unko auditions nahi dene padte. Also, the respect you get on set is directly proportional to the length of your role and how important you are to them,” he added.
Sharing about his experience of working in ‘Lootera’ he says, “I was lucky to get ‘Lootera’. To be able to work with Ranveer Singh, Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane was a big deal. However, I wasn’t given the script of ‘Lootera’ beforehand, because I was playing the supporting part. When asked, I was told, ‘We can’t give it to you now’. Ranveer got the script in advance and this is common for most films.”
“Bade studios aapko script nahi denge, unless you play the hero. Heroes are treated differently. Things have changed for me now since I am considered as a breakout star.”
“I get scripts today, but hierarchical system hai. If a person plays a servant in a film, he is actually treated like one on set, unless he is an NSD alumnus or leaves in a BMW. Then even the ADs treat you differently.”
However, he feels that the audience is also to be blamed for this disparity in B-town. “Log utne hi important hai, jitna unko importance diya jata hai. Are the big production houses the only ones making films? Why is their validation so important to you? A leading production house had refused to cast me as the lead because I played a smaller role in ‘Lootera’. They politely declined and said they admired my work nonetheless.”
“I was told, ‘Hum aapko chhote roles hi de sakte hai.’ People are not obliged to give you the part you want. Life for everyone across the world is unfair. You need to grow a thick skin.”
Speaking on the nepotism debate surrounding the industry, he says that it exists, but ‘it is not impenetrable’. “If nepotism exists, free and fair opportunities also exist. You have to be consistent and march on thinking accha kaam karna hai. After 16 years in this profession, I am still three-four years away from being in a position to decide the kind of work I want to do. There is no such thing as an overnight success. You are in it for the long haul.”
“It’s good that we are now fighting for equal opportunities and transparency because genuine talent deserves those chances.”
He further stressed on the importance of having the right people around. “When I saw Irrfan’s performance in ‘Maqbool’, I decided that’s the kind of work I want to do. I have grown up admiring actors like Balraj Sahni, Naseeruddin Shah, and now, Rajkummar Rao. Some actors want to be like Hrithik Roshan, while some aspire to be like Irrfan Sahab. You need to know what you want. Having family and friends around, who you can rely on, helps a great deal. They make sure you don’t get carried away,” he concluded.
Well, we are just glad that Vikrant has blessed us with his impactful performances. More power to you.
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