“I am a little eccentric like Anurag Kashyap” – Shiv Pandit

By Devansh Patel -

May 31, 2011 - 2:46 AM IST

Is our film industry on the verge of an evolution? Are the cliches being replaced or wiped out? Is content taking the lead and big names taking back seat? Do the last six months prove that box office isn't about big budget films? The time for the 'Shaitan' inside all of us 'creative' people has surely opened its eye to the cinema called 'change', and Shiv Pandit is that change. Shaitan is Shiv Pandit's second film. Before this, Pandit has debuted in Aagey Se Right done some three to four dozen commercials, couple of short films and one music video along with a short stint as a TV anchor. But I guess Shiv is here to play the big game and win it - by hook or by crook really doesn't matter because as long as there is a 'shaitan' in you, you are sure to win it. Talking about his eccentricity, Shiv reveals, "I am a little bit eccentric like Anurag Kashyap. I like cinema that he delivers. I watch a lot of foreign films but Anurag's films, be it directed or produced by him are niche films and that's what makes them different."

“I am a little eccentric like Anurag Kashyap” – Shiv Pandit

And as luck would have it, Pandit was originally finalised for another role in the same film till his fate got him the role he was waiting for. "I was auditioned by Bejoy Nambiar, the director of Shaitan, for another role in the same film. But then he thought that I will suit another role. It's only later on that I came to know that the film was produced by Anurag Kashyap", Shiv says. The actor has taken his first step in this competitive film industry but will he make it to the 'talk of the town' section? Guess he has the answer to that question, "I hope to bag a few more projects after Shaitan and let's hope it happens. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. In fact, I've worked pretty hard on this film and I am not going to say that I have done a remarkable job and hard sell myself. I want my performance to hard sell and I'm confident that it will."

Shiv adds, "The character I play in Shaitan is called Dash. He is a very bold young man who sells drugs for the living. He is shrewd because he doesn't have a family to go back home to. He is a character who doesn't give up. Dash is the master mind in the entire group who plans the big game and is the mentor in his group." When asked about his experience of working with Mrs. Anurag Kashyap, Shiv revealed his romantic side, "I have a romantic angle with Kalki Koechlin Kashyap in the film. Dash is a tough cookie but the moment this girl enters his life, things aren't the same anymore. I have a soft spot for her in the film. Kalki is an extremely passionate actor because she is very confident. She plays her characters by being that character. We exchanged a few ideas and it was good chatting with her."

For the moment, Shiv Pandit can breathe easy as he has received his highest honour coming from his own producer Anurag Kashyap. "Anurag hasn't singled out anybody right now. He was shooting for Gangs Of Wasseypur in Banaras for a very long time but he did see the film in bits and pieces back then. That's when I got the news that he liked my performance and that's the best pat on the back I've received. Anurag's positive nod was indeed my motivation."