'I am never idle'

Bollywood actor Anshuman Jha started his career as a theatre artiste at a very young age. He made a name for himself in this world and is best known for his work in the movie 'Love Sex Aur Dhokha'. His performance in his last four releases 'Yeh Hai Bakrapur', 'X: Past Is Present', 'Chauranga' and 'Mona Darling' has been widely applauded. Anshuman also turned a producer with 'Mona Darling' under his banner 'First Ray Films'. Anshuman will next be seen in movies 'Angrezi Mein Kehte', 'Robinhood Ke Pote' and 'Ishwar'.    

The talented actor talks to Surupasree Sarmmah about his journey in the industry.    

You  started your career with the movie 'Love Sex Aur Dhokha (LSD)' which was a hit. How did you get into acting?    

My acting career began long back with Prithvi Theatre when I did my first play at fifteen. It was called 'Jhagrapoor' by  Ramnath Tharwal. It all began  there. I am from Delhi and used to visit Mumbai to visit my sister. She used to put me into these summertime acting workshops at Prithvi Theatre. One play led to the other and it so happened that during one such workshop,  Ramnath Tharwal cast me in his play and then it became a yearly routine. I soon completed my Diploma Acting Course at Barry John's Academy. I also acted in Berry's 'Its All About Money Honey'. But, as a famous director once told me, I look like a kid, so I should not look for work until I am 24 or 25, therefore, I only did theatre and worked as an assistant director for a few films. I went for a screen test for  LSD and they selected me. That's how it started.  

An experience you cherish from your journey till now?  

The first call of confirmation for LSD. It is so well enriched in the memory. Director Dibakar Banerjee is my favourite filmmaker in India and I  had absolutely loved his previous movie 'Khosla Ka Ghosla'. Getting an opportunity to work with him was a dream come true.    

You have also assisted Shubash Ghai for three years, how was that experience?  

Phenomenal! It was like a blessing for me. 'Khalnayak' is again one of my favourite  films from the 90s and Subhash Ghai is someone who has given so many blockbusters to the industry. I worked with him on a film called 'Black and White' which was a very different movie than what he usually makes. The kind of exposure I have got working with him taught me a lot. I don't have a Godfather in the industry but I can say I have many 'guide fathers', who came to my life at different points and guided me to become an actor.  

Which genre would you like to explore?

My next film is  called 'Angrezi Mein Kehte', which is a romantic comedy. This was one genre I wanted to do and I am really glad, I got a chance. This movie is a comedy with a lot of soul in it. For me, it is not genre specific, but films where I get to work with great and different kind of directors. Zoya Akhtar and Sriram Raghavan are two directors I would like to work with.  

Any advice that changed your life...

There are a few actually. Shubhash Ghai once told me, more than looking and talking like an actor, you should wait like an actor, don't be in a hurry. Anurag Kashyap told me to keep working on myself. And that's what I have been doing. Whenever I have free time, I keep learning a new craft;
either a new form of martial arts or take up dance and singing classes. I am never idle.  

Your all-time favourite movie...

Rush by Ron Howard. I am a huge 'Formula One' fan and this movie was a delight to watch.