ACTING AS A CAREER IN BOLLYWOOD – 8  Samar Jai Singh

“ WHAT IS TAKES TO SUCCEED AS AN ACTOR IN BOLLYWOOD”

THAT’S TRUE !!! …. IN BOLLYWOOD YOU GET WORK THROUGH CONTACTS …..DEVELOP THEM.

“CONTINOUSLY BUILD UP YOUR NETWORK, CREATE  A VERY GRACIOUS AND HEALTHY WORKING RELATIONSHIP”

“EK NAUKRI KHATM , NAI NAUKRI DHUNDO”

One project of yours is over you have to look for a new job . This is continues never ending happening in Bollywood casting process. This not only implies to new comers  or actors who are finding foot  hold in the Bollywood  industry, but even stars can’t evade it.

You need to have a huge data base, through which you get regular information about where the casting is happening or auditions are taking place. When you are ready with your profile and prepared to make those initial, in roads in the Bollywood casting process, first thing you  need to do in to collect the phone numbers and emails of  the co-coordinators, casting directors,  in house casting directors of various production houses. Take help of other  young  aspirants  who have been around for a while. Exchange numbers,  pair up with someone who is not in competition  with you in the  casting process. If you are sharp featured look for someone who has rounded  features , basically look for opposites, if you are a boy , team up with a girl. Exchange information regarding casting and actors requirements. Thats how you start building up  your net work. When you go for auditions and meet other young  aspirants, exchange numbers and information about casting.

Tap the avenues apart from Bollywood and Hindi general entertainment channels. Languages you speak are like your assets.  More the languages you  can speak more are the chances of getting work faster , my advise don’t shun away from regional films . I have seen regional films with very high quality and content. Make a plan for yourself, get KNOWN FIRST ,CREATE A DEMAND FOR YOURSELF THAN MANEUVRE YOUR CAREER . Actors like Sonu Sood,  Kajal Agrawal, Tamanna are some encouraging examples who have made a mark for them selves  in Bollywood Via regional cinema.

“ISS LINE MEIN ACTOR UNNIS CHALEGA , LEKIN INSAAN BEES HONA CHAHIYE”

When an actor is assigned for a project , he works with the unit for months together and if  it is a daily soap then it can be years in some  cases. In the beginning of the schedule, usually an actor behaves very sweetly and is  cordial  with every one in the  unit, but as the time goes by some of them show their true colours. They start cribbing over  small things and start throwing tantrums .

My advise  to young actors NEVER INDULGE IN SUCH BEHVIOUR .These gestures speed  like forest fire, remember it is a very small industry.

There was this lady named Jeet  Khurana . She was a sought  after secretary of stars and actors             (Anita Raj , Mandakini,  Farida Jalal, Saed Jaffery , Rohini Hattangadi, Tinu Anand , Archana Puran Singh , to name a few) .  She happened to be my distant aunt, when I met her and expressed my desire to be an actor, seeking her help to get me a foothold in the Bollywood industry, she generously took me under her wings and arranged meetings with many bigwigs of the industry. Once I was talking to Sultan  Ahemad Saaheb ( Renowned for his Dacoit based  films ). He said “actor jab set pe aye to khush dikkhe, actor to unit ki jaan hota hai … iss line mein actor unnis chalega lekin insaan bees hona  chahiye”. (Actor is the life force of a unit, one can compromise with a slightly weak actor , but as a human being he should be cent percent ).

People should look forward working with the actor. He /she should be missed by the unit when shooting is over .

MAKE A PLAN FOR A LONG WORKING RELATIONSHIP

Well  known character actor , Madan  Puri Saheb had a very  interesting way of working . Actors in films get paid in installments , and there is a format to it, initially an actor is paid 20% of the remuneration as signing amount, then the payments are made schedule wise . As a schedule gets over you receive a part payment. Last installment of 20% is paid at the time of release. Madan Puri Saheb never used to ask for that last installment,  he use  to visit the producers office .  If the producer offered him payment, fine, or else he used to just chat and inquire about the next project  that producer is planning and what character  he is going to offer Mr. Puri. So , very smartly he use to, book his next acting job.

You have to expand your network and enrich your database  continuously , It  is a never ending effort. People you work with should enjoy your company . They should look forward working with you again. It is tough to get your remuneration  released  after the project is through ,be tactful….. “WIN PEOPLE, REWARDS AND AWARDS WILL FOLLOW”

“DEVELOP  GENUINE  PUBLIC  RELATIONS, NEVER  EVER  DO PUBLICITY  THROUGH  RELATIONS”.

                                                                                            ( NEXT BLOG 17/11/12 )

SAMAR JAI SINGH

http://www.kreatingcharakters.in

                          

 

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