“What’s wrong in cuss words, even NOKJ had them” – Raayo Bakhirta

May 20, 2011 - 3:02 AM IST

Don't get fooled by his tough looks. Talk to him once and you would realise that he is a softie at heart with a shy persona to him. That's Raayo Bakhirta, a fresh new entrant from Simla (Himachal Pradesh) who had a seven year long journey before he found doors being opened for him in Bollywood. Face of over three dozen commercials and someone who prides at having given (believe it or not) over 3000 auditions, Raayo is (expectedly) a bundle of nerves as he gets into a conversation with Joginder Tuteja on the eve of release of his debut flick Pyaar Ka Punchnama.

“What’s wrong in cuss words, even NOKJ had them” – Raayo Bakhirta

Dil, dosti aur pyaar ka the end - Seems like there is a new idiom all set to be coined with Pyaar Ka Punchnama, right?
Yeah man, that's the kind of life you live when you are surrounded by friends. That's the way it has been with me in real life as well; my friends have been a big support system. I like to be surrounded by people and that was one of the reasons why I was so comfortable in the company of Kartik and Divyendu (other two leads in the film). It didn't take time for us boys to have a tuning set between us. We did quite a few workshops together and practically lived with each other while being holed up in a house for readings and rehearsals.

Guess it does show on screen after all...
Exactly. Ek baar jab yeh baat dimaag se nikal jaaye that whether I have to try and be better than the others, you only work towards making a scene effective; that's the single point agenda. Since we had turned into thick friends, there was no 'kutta-fight' between us (winks).

Yup, seems like 'kutta' and many more profanities were reserved for on-screen antics of three of you....
Come on; let's not make a big deal about it really. If you go to Delhi or Mumbai, you would see that people talk like this only. This is how things are in real life.

But then is it necessary to have everything as seen in real life to be out there in reel life as well?
Par No One Killed Jessica mein bhi toh aisa hi tha. I am not saying it was wrong; on the contrary I am saying it was very right. A journalist (Rani) who was pissed off with things around her is bound to react like that. Same is the case with our character Liquid (played by Divyendu) as well. He is so damn frustrated in the film that you can't believe it (laughs). He doesn't like his job, his boss is imposing herself on him, he isn't sure about his love life and is generally in a bad state of mind.

Guess your character in the film is the one who is in a relatively better state of mind. One can sense that you are the quieter but more decision-maker and sorted kind of a person here.
Yeah, this guy called Chaudhary that I play in the film is someone who is very cool but then you don't want to mess with him either. You know how these people from Haryana are; they live like Kings. Chaudhary too is a man of few words as he believes in action than just plain talk. Eventually he will do what he wants to do.

Guess your real life journey wasn't as King Size though.
Ask me. I must have given 3000 auditions and as a result done over 30 commercials. This may seem like a low strike rate but trust me, I was happier than ever whenever I was finalised for an ad. Yes, there was a lot of struggle involved but it was all worth it because when it came to my Bollywood sojourn, it wasn't that bad. I was in touch with a casting director and though I was earlier finalised for a film, unfortunately that project never took off. However later for Pyaar Ka Punchnama I was finalised in one go itself and I was on board pronto. In fact I am told that I was the first to be cast. Isn't that cool?

Of course it is Raayo. Seems like the hard work has paid off after all.
Yes, I am happy with the way film has shaped up. People those who have seen it are appreciating it. The best part of the film is the way it has been written. Now there are just a few more hours to go. I am in a strange state. Sometimes I am a lot happy and at times I am like this nervous wreck (smiles). I am keeping my fingers crossed. Let's see how people react to the film. I am a little nervous. Abhi toh bas dua chal rahi hai. Din bhar dhoop-batti aur candles jalaata hoon.