"Research is important but one should not allow it to overrule the character or the perception of the director" – Kunal Khemu 
By IndiaFM News Bureau, January 25, 2007 - 13:15 IST
Kunal Khemu is an actor by fate. Son of noted television director Ravi Khemu, he had never planned to come into cinema but an incidental brush
with camera, light and action on the sets of his parent’s serial Gul Gulshan Gulfaam brought him under arch-lights as a child artiste.
Kalyug of Mahesh Bhatt brought him back to Bollywood. This promising artist talks about his dreams, career and himself in bare all interview
to IndiaFM.
Your last film as child artiste was with Mahesh Bhatt (Zakhm) and your first film as an adult was with him too (Kalyug). Was it
planned?
Coincidence but I am happy for it. He came to me with ‘Blue film’ which was later re-titled as ‘Kalyug’. I was apprehensive because I did not want to
begin my career with such a film but once I heard the story I was convinced. I would have done the film even if title had not been changed.
Do you think your theatre experience has been helpful in shaping your career?
It has been helpful in shaping me as an actor and a person. I have done theatre for almost six years. That was my buffer time between me as a child
actor and now. But it really refined my acting skills and timing. From a small role in Gul Gulshan Gulfaam serial to my first film Hum Hai
Raahi Pyar Ke and then Zakhm, I did learn a lot but theatre is part of adult life. It was instrumental in my ability today.
| Theatre was my buffer time between me as a child actor and now.
|
What is your role in Traffic Signal?
My character is Silsila who is a beggar and was born on the streets of Mumbai. He grows up to become the manager of that signal. This entire signal
is like a large family, where everybody has adopted the other as brother or sister or maee.
This is not the run-of-the-mill role and the rumour has it that you went deep into the characters by researching on beggar?
Research is important but one should not allow it to overrule the character or the perception of the director. Yes I did connect with these people and
understood the psyche but I have worked within the parameters set by the director Madhur Bhandarkar. On my end, I worked on the look of the
character. I kept long curly hair to provide the ruffian look, and then I took a darker skin colour because exposure to sun tans them and changed my
body language to suit them. My clothes are also realistic.
| Research is important but one should not allow it to overrule the
character or the perception of the director |
What is the story of Traffic Signal?
In a nutshell it is the story of people who live on the roads of Mumbai but in totality it talks about the entire profession that is like an industry today. It
is properly organized and their collections are mind blowing. Some of the beggars and street people even have bank accounts and homes. It is
quite fascinating.
| Some of the beggars and street people even have bank accounts
and homes. It is quite fascinating. |
You have worked with two directors Mahesh Bhatt and Madhur Bhandarkar, who make realistic cinema. Where is the difference in their
approach?
There is very stark difference in both of them. Bhatt Saab is realistic cinema but he looks more at relationships and emotions, more intimate kind of
story line. Madhur looks at the larger perception of life and take on issues in his film. They both deal with realistic cinema in their individual style.
Tell us about Priyadarshan’s ‘Dhol’?
It is a funny film. I am doing it for a different flavour. It is to change my setting image of a serious artiste. It’s fun shooting for this film.
There is a perception in the market that you are throwing starry tantrums and attitude?
Not at all! Only thing is that with two films working back to back time factor is lesser. I always respond to the SMS. There is no attitude at all.
All of your three films have different kind of story and genre? Was it planned move?
No, I am not a planned person. I do things spontaneously. When a story comes if the script is exciting and makers are good, then I take it on. It is
sheer chance that all three are of different genre. Even as an actor I am spontaneous. I don’t do too much of research or delve deep into the
character. I need to understand the role and its shades. Once that is clear then an actor should allow the director to steer him through the story. It is
the vision of the director that should come out of story and characters, not the detailed research of the actor in his creative pursuit.
What is your favorite time pass?
Watching all kind of films! I am a film buff. I love to dance and sing too. You won’t need to close your ears when I am singing (laughs).
| I am not at all fond of parties and don’t go unless absolutely
essential |
You are not seen much at parties? Isn’t it important for image building?
I am not at all fond of parties and don’t go unless absolutely essential. And no it is not necessary to be seen at parties all the time.
|
Kunal Khemu meets with an accident
