Taking on a 'Major' role

He shot to fame as the Roadies host, but life in Bollywood has been a challenging journey for actor, writer Rannvijay Singh. He grew up in a family with an Army influence, but once in Mumbai, the actor fought his own battles.

Rannvijay now looks forward to the mini-series, Pukaar-Call of the Hero, on Life OK channel, in which he plays the role of Major Rajveer Shergill. It began in early November, and the series will air 24 episodes.

“I would have been the sixth generation in my family in the Army. My grandfathers and uncles have been there. My father is posted in Syria,” revealed the actor. But destiny’s intervention led him down another road.

“I had passed the basic test and medical examination, ready with my packed bags to enter the Army. In the meantime, I saw an advertisement for a reality show (Roadies) that promised its winner a bike. I approached my dad with this. He asked me to go ahead. The channel asked me to join the show. My parents were supportive of my decision to choose my battle of taking up acting when I knew no one in Bollywood,” the 31-year-old recalled.

Rannvijay has performed some hardcore action scenes in Pukaar... “The guns, the machinery, the hand-to-hand combat, all were interesting. When action director Allan Amin discussed a bike or jeep scene, I got excited like a kid in a candy store,” informed the VJ. The actor “was inspired by my father and picked up a few of his nuances to get in the flesh of the character.” His exhaustive schedule was so power-packed that it involved “practising Taekwondo, shooting, and then crashing at home.”

Of actor Raj Babbar, who plays his father in Pukaar... Rannvijay exclaimed, “He was amazing and supportive, which reminded me of my grandfather. He said I had done a good job and that mini-series had opened doors for many actors.” Contrasting the reel father and real father, the actor added, “The father-son relationship in Pukar... is intricate and emotional.

There is love, but there comes a point when one doesn’t want to see the other’s face. In real life, my parents are proud of me, especially my father, who wanted to see me in an Army uniform.”

Rannvijay has films London Dreams, Action Replayy and 3 A.M. to his credit. His next role is in Gurmeet Singh’s comedy-thriller Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene. “I am not desperate for work. I aim to clinch good roles,” he explained.

When asked about his wife’s reaction to the gashes and stunts involved in the series, he chortled and said, “She visited the set once while I was climbing a mountain and bawled. She is not an Army officer’s daughter or wife, and hence finds it difficult to understand the risks we take. She now visits gurudwara twice.”