This child actor is in search of an 'abnormal' role

National award-winning I am Kalam child actor Harsh Mayar says he wants to perform the role of an abnormal boy to prove his acting prowess in the film industry.

“I am in search of a role...something different which people have not seen earlier...the role should be challenging...may be something like a child psycho. I would like to perform the role of a boy who is abnormal but smart,” the Delhi-based Mayar, who was here to attend a children’s festival, told IANS in an interview.

“My preference is experimental films. I want to perform a role which is something different. I want to do something which is unique,” said Mayar, who liked Taare Zameen Par, the movie which depicted Darsheel Safary as lazy and as a troublemaker until a new art teacher discovers the real problem behind his struggles.

“Many would prefer to play glamorous roles but I would like to perform a role of abnormal children who are not good looking and have physical and mental deficiencies. They should feel after watching the movie that they too can do better,” the 16-year old actor said.

“I have been inspired by Shah Rukh Khan. I somehow relate to him because he once belonged to Delhi and I also belong to the same city,” said the child actor, who won a National Film Award in 2011 for the his performance in I Am Kalam.

Mayar started his career in 2005 when he was only eight. He joined Shri Ram Centre in Delhi with his uncle paying the fees because his parents were not able to do so.

During that time, he appeared in six stage shows. Afterwards, he auditioned 180 times for singing, dancing and acting roles. He was selected for Chillar Party, a 2011 children’s film directed by Nitesh Tiwari and Vikas Bahl, but he did not match the role and decided against the film.

Around that time he fractured his hand while playing. A few months later he got a call for an audition.

Initially, Mayar showed no interest but his parents persuaded him to do so. After a week he received a call saying he had been selected for I Am Kalam, produced by the Smile Foundation and directed by Nila Madhab Panda.

The film was shot in Rajasthan in 2009 and released in August 5, 2011. The film won several awards at home and abroad, including the Filmfare award for Best Story, the National Film Award for Best Child Artiste, the Stardust award for Best Actor, and the Best Feature Film award of the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival.

Mayar’s next film Jalpari released in 2012. He also worked in Chaarfutiya Chhokare and has also acted in Hollywood film Desires of the Heart and has now forayed into television through Channel V’s popular show Gumrah.