My experience with Imlie is increasing my tenacity as an actor: Gashmeer Mahajani

Gashmeer Mahajani who is the son of noted Marathi film actor Ravindra Mahajani is the next to make it big in Hindi TV.

Gashmeer who has been a popular face in the Marathi film circuit with films Carry On Maratha, Deool Band has very conveniently gotten into the skin of Aditya Kumar Tripathi, the leading man in Star Plus’ popular show Imlie produced by Gul Khan’s 4 Lions Films.

In addition to this, Gashmeer’s fabulous work in the recently released Sony LIV series Shrikant Bashir has added more value to his versatility as an actor.

In an exclusive conversation with IWMBuzz.com, Gashmeer Mahajani talks of his film journey, his shift to TV, and his future projects.

Excerpts:

It is heartening to see you at the same time in the TV show Imlie and the web-series Shrikant Bashir. How is the feeling in you?

I had picked up Shrikant Bashir a year back. So the shoot for that has been wrapped up while Imlie is an ongoing process for me. It is a very good and happy coincidence that both have come at the same time. It does not matter to me, what medium I am working in.

What prompted you to take up the lead role in the TV show, Imlie?

Many people from the Marathi fraternity were wondering why I am picking up a TV show at this phase of my career. With respect to the role of Aditya Kumar Tripathi, he is a very grounded and real character. You will not see him doing any over-the-top drama in the show. I was being called for TV shows in the past too. See, I will be honest to you when I say that there were three reasons for me picking up Imlie now. Firstly, I will be brutally honest in saying that all my films that were in the pipeline have been put to a halt as of now. I got the vibe that work on my films will not start before June 2021. So the industries that were working were the web industry and the TV industry.

Secondly, when I was given the brief of the character and show, I felt that I can maintain my own ground in the role. I felt that I will not have to do anything that is slightly over the top. There is a certain honesty that comes across in the character of Aditya. This again paved way for me to come up with a performance that will be at par with any performance that I have done in my films and web-series. Also, the production house, 4 Lions Films was another reason for me giving my nod. There is a certain comfort zone in the environment I work in.

What is the kind of feedback you have been getting now?

The good aspect is that senior actors and stalwarts from the film industry, both Hindi and Marathi industry who have watched Shrikant Bashir and have followed me in Imlie have congratulated me for playing the parts well. So in this pandemic situation where many actors are waiting for their shoots to start, this is a very good opportunity that I have got. Even in my case, four to five of my Marathi films are stuck and the shoots have not started. So in such a phase, if your work is reaching out to millions of people and you are getting noticed, I am happy about it. The best part is that I have been seen two different kinds of characters in Shrikant Bashir and Imlie.

Do you think any of these characters are similar to your personality?

Yes, both these characters are similar to my personality. Shrikant is similar to the darker shade in me while Aditya Kumar Tripathi is the lighter shade in me. I believe that every character you portray has to be close to your personality. If it does not exist in you, it does not stay honest and does not look believable. So it is good that this contrast has come out at the same time.

Imlie has been soaring high in TRP. Did you expect this huge popularity so soon?

No, I did not. First of all, I was happy to be working during such a pandemic situation. Also, I was happy that I was enjoying whatever I was doing. I was very much satisfied with my happiness. Now, with the TRP rising every week, this comes as an added bonus. Having said this, it is not that there was no expectation from the show. As an actor, I had not considered that factor of the show doing really well. But now when I hear about Imlie and also for the matter of fact, Shrikant Bashir doing well, I feel elated.

What is your forte as an actor, Gashmeer Mahajani?

Emotion is actually a part of everything. There cannot be a forte as such. If you ask me, what I enjoy doing the most in film making, I will say that I love action and dancing. A lot of thrills in my films have come from my action sequences. I improvise a lot when it comes to an action scene. If there is a scene where I need to run to a particular place, I will not just run and reach the destination. I will jump over hurdles and reach there. Dance is a passion for me and I am doing it for a long time now.

What do you like the most about Aditya Kumar Tripathi?

I like the fact that Aditya is not a mushy character. Aditya usually treads on a very thin line. He is always angry and his reactions are justified. He is a man caught by situations. I like to play characters who appear to be strong and arrogant from the outside but are likable. Such characters are fun to play as they appeal to the masses. They might seem to be aggressive, but their heart is in the right place. As an actor, if your heart is in the right place, your actions will appear justified.

What will your takeaway be from this character?

Well, I don’t believe in this theory. If you ask me, I have done 6-7 really good characters in my career. Nothing of them is left with me. I feel an actor gives something to a character. A character is a figment of a writer’s imagination. So how does a character become real? It is because an actor lends his personality to it. So a character cannot give anything to the actor. The actor gives his personality to the character. I believe every actor should understand this, and not just me.

How are you enjoying your TV debut now?

I am enjoying it. Looking at the positive aspect, this stint is increasing my tenacity as an actor. In films, if you have a power-packed or intense scene, you do that scene for two days. On TV, you get a daily dose of intense scenes which you have to do on the given day. The speed at which you are working, and still do not get monotonous in what you are doing, is really enjoyable. This is a good practice for me as an actor. It is improving my stamina and is giving me good net practice. When I go back for my film, I will be more evolved as an actor. All these challenges are really improving me as an actor.

What if you get an immense fan following on TV and you get showered with more TV offers?

I don’t know!! I have not thought about this (laughs). It depends on the situation, is what I will say now.

How has the response been so far for you?

The response has been tremendous. The feedbacks have been very motivating. A day does not pass without me getting really good feedbacks from important people and also from fans. When I go out for my walk or to the gym, I have people coming up to me and praising me for the role of Aditya.

All these adulations are indeed flattering. But it is scary too as I feel there is a big responsibility on me, and I have to continue my good work and keep the viewers engaged with the show and role for long. This is an ongoing process and when you reach the set after getting praised, the tension mounts to deliver better.

How is it working with the two ladies Sumbul Touqeer and Mayuri Deshmukh?

It is good. With Sumbul, I have more of the intense scenes. When I am in a mood to shoot for intense scenes, I do not socialize much. With Mayuri, my scenes have been light-hearted and romantic. So I get to have fun with her a lot. Mayuri is like my target for playing pranks.

How is it working with a young actor like Sumbul Touqeer?

I too do not have much of an experience (smiles). It has been nearly six years since I started my career. Sumbul is very sincere and is very much sorted. She is in good hands, as she is helped a lot by the direction and creative team. Also, I don’t think she is new to the camera. She has done a lot of work as a child artist. However, this is her first role as lead. Her honesty to work reflects in her character.

What are your expectations from the show?

Ratings are not in our hands. So I don’t think about that. I work towards being sincere to my character. The moment I start to look at numbers, that is where I will appear gimmicky and dishonest. When I am shooting, there is a whole universe around me and I am bothered only about how I perform. Actors need to be selfish. So when I go to the set every day, my only goal is to do well. There are no two ways about it. That is what the Producer is paying me for.

What will happen when your film shoots open up?

Yes, that will happen from April I guess. I will juggle between Imlie and my film. I will work on my film at night, and I will be available over the day for Imlie.

Will that not be really strenuous?

I have done that before. I was shooting for two projects at the same time. So I am used to it. I look forward to my power naps in my vanity or make-up room. I feel actors are the most relaxed people. After a scene is over, we get the time to relax in our rooms. It is comparatively easier for actors as we are given all the comforts on the set to feel at home when we are not shooting.

We wish you luck, Gashmeer Mahajani!!