ACTING AS A CAREER IN BOLLYWOOD  9 : SAMAR JAI SINGH.

(This is in  continuation of my previous blog  10/11/2012)

‘’WHAT  IT TAKES TO SUCCEED AS AN ACTOR IN BOLLYWOOD’’

THREE STAGES FOR A LONG AND FRUITFUL BOLLYWOOD ACTING CAREER

GET KNOWN; GET STARTED

First stage when you are making an entry into the bollywood industry is getting  known, Initial assignments which you are going to get will be based on ‘’how you come across to people when they see you for  the first time.’’

‘’TYPE CASTING IS UNAVOIDABLE, WHEN CASTING FOR SCREEN ACTING’’.

One look of yours should convey a lot about your characters in the narrative. Least time taken by the writer  to establish a character, tighter is the screen play. Keeping this time constraint in mind ,the casting director has to finalize  right actor for that specific character. If you happen to fit the bill you will be slotted in that particular zone. As an actor you should do a reality check and realize what zone you fit in.

I will take my own example, I am tall, strongly built, sharp featured, grainy voiced. I am in a slot in which the actor is intimidating or commands respect. So, if there is requirement of actors who are intimidating or dominating. My name would come up. “I will be known for that slot”.

CREATE  A DEMAND FOR YOUR SELF

Second phase of your career is when you create a demand for yourself. Once you are clear which zone or slot you are hitting , create a demand for yourself. Gauge that yourself -with your body type, features looks and voice quality what different characters  you can fit in.

Continuing my own  example, over past 23 years in this Bollywood industry I have been offered parts of God (Shiva), was also offered  ‘Ram’ by  Mr. Sanjay Khan , in 1995 ( Jai Hanuman) I didn’t accept it , I was casted as Emperor Ashoka  (Samrat Ashoka 1994) ,as karana (Mritunjaya  1996 ) or I have played a terrorist  (Sara Akash), a Pakistani (Gadar 2001 , Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Shathiyon 2004) or a defected Raw Agent ( Ek Tha Tiger 2012) all intimidating  characters.

It is a latent dream of every actor to be versatile. You ask a young actor, who is your favorite actor? He  will  call the names  of most versatile actors of the times, may be Irfan , Ranbir Kapoor  or Aamir Khan. Take it as an eye opener, in an era there are just  3 to 4 actors whom the industry and the audience accept as versatile .This is a fact , take it with a pinch of salt.

A very interesting example I would like to share with you. Their were two  actors who were first noticed in early eighties, they both had done tones  of theatre, one was a well established actor from Marathi theatre, the other was a well known name in Gujarati theatre. They were almost of the same age, similar height  and body types , same complexion, rounded face , rounded featured , dark more or less similar tonal qualities , interestingly they were assigned similar roles in the beginning.  Not a very strong in the face villain , but dangoures, shrewd and cunning. They were ‘’ Sadashiv  Amrapurkar and Paresh Rawal.’’

They both made a mark for them selves at the same time, they both were sought after actors in bollywood. Once they were competing with each other. They both gave huge hits in those initial years. Paresh Rawal featured in Naam , (1984), Arjun (1985), Sadashiv Amrapurkar gave Hukumat (1985) and Akhari Rasta (1986).

But now where do they stand ? Sadashivji  is in a state  of oblivion….lost. We all know where Mr.Paresh Rawal is. So, eventually it is your range to play various characters that’s going to translate into a  long and fruitful  bollywood career.

That transition phase is very vital ; you are accepted in a particular slot, you desire  to put your craft and ability to test ,  want to try different genera, different parts. For that you need to convey the makers and casting directors  who would find it a safe bet to cast you.

Its tricky, you are a known actor secured in a certain slot, you desire to reach and try different avenues. That needs courage and more importantly it needs good P.R  (Public Relation). You need to maintain a healthy relation with those makers , who regularly hire you for a particular slot. Now is the time when you  “politely without offending them  refuse their offers‘’

“HOW  IMPORTANT  IS  YOUR  PUBLIC  RELATIONS”

(Next Blog – 24/11/2012)

SAMAR JAI SINGH

http://www.kreatingcharakters.in

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