Sudhanshu Pandey: Ajith is essentially the most humble person I’ve met

The actor gets candid about his upcoming film,Billa 2, why he desires to do more Tamil films and the hierarchy in Bollywood

Usually B-towners ensure that they meet mediapersons within the most plush surroundings. We met Sudhanshu Pandey at his office – the room contained a conference table and some chairs. That’s it. Basic, efficient and no artificial frills attached. As Sudhanshu settled down for a chat, we realised that a room could say so much about its occupant. Wearing a black T-shirt, black jeans and dark sunglasses, Sudhanshu spoke frankly about his cause of doing a Tamil film, the setback his career received when two of his Bollywood films were shelved and what acting means to him….

What is your character like in Billa 2?

I am a purely negative character. I play a don called Abbasi. I don’t need to give away all of the story but, yes, Billa (played by Ajith) does join my gang.

Have you seen the opposite two Billa movies?

No, I haven’t. Thank God for that, as it always helps whilst you go along with a definite approach, whilst you can self-interpret the nature and the entire setting, the plot and the ambience. Your mind gets a possibility to work on it on its own.

Any language troubles?

Language was not an issue as they (the producers) had arranged for a tutor for me here in Mumbai to return each day to show me Tamil. The pronunciation was important because they wanted me to mention the dialogues in Tamil. That way once they dub, the lip sync might be a match. I worked pretty hard on learning the language, though now I don’t remember the words any longer! Short term memory (he laughs)….

How would you compare the way in which they shoot within the South to the way in which they do it in Bollywood?

In Bollywood, usually when there are big stars or big directors, there's a nervous energy across the people who find themselves lower within the hierarchy. They're always worried and stressed. After I shot for Billa 2, I REALIZED that you simply don’t feel the hierarchy there. You don’t feel that there's an Ajithup there and everyone else below him. They're all chilling together, eating together, joking together. You don’t even know who the spot boy is and who the star. Actually, Ajith is essentially the most humble person I'VE met. It was an out of this world experience.

Will you do more South movies?

Of course I WILL BE ABLE TO. I'M looking ahead to doing a little specialized cinema.

You think cinema there's better than in Bollywood?

It’s not about better or worse, it’s about just having the ability to explore all kinds of cinema. There's crap popping out of everywhere, but when you check the ratio, I FEEL Tamil cinema has made good things. There are many Tamil films whose remake rights was bought by Bollywood. They're huge markets and they’ve started merging – there’s such a lot interchange of ideas and technicians. The merger is solely going to get bigger.

How would you describe your career so far? 

I am more than pleased with my career. It is easy to always think that it may be better, but I guess your career or your results are proportionate for your efforts. So I WILL BE ABLE TO say that whatever I'VE achieved today, is completely proportionate to the efforts I'VE installed. I'M making increasingly efforts now and am improving results.

You aren't taking into consideration going behind the camera?

No. But I do intend to supply a movie. That’s as ‘behind the camera’ as I WILL BE ABLE TO go (laughs). But desirous to direct is something very instinctive. It’s an artistic field. You'll be able to only plan business here, not creative decisions. Creativity can only include inspiration, with circumstances that you're thrown in to. If I ever make the verdict to direct, it is going to be because of my instinct, saying ‘Dude, it’s time to get behind the camera’.

What does acting mean to you?

(thinks) For me acting is sort of a school. Whilst you visit school, you study various subjects.Every teacher who involves you teaches you a unique subject. It's like working with a distinct director who has a unique subject which he desires to shoot. You study the character, study the topic and also you become part of it and also you learn. Then you definately move directly to another subject, another teacher. That is one field where it’s unlike you graduate and also you are done. This is a lifelong process.

There has been times to your career when your performance hasn’t been received well by critics. How do you get out of that and move on?

I never regret it. As an actor – not as a someone – I'M very selfish. Whenever I act, this can be a learning process for me, something I WOULD LIKE to do for myself. Critical acclaim isn't in my hands. That is something that occurs to each actor. Obviously as a someone you're going to feel bad, but I BELIEVE I'VE done my job and i've learned and gained experience. I WILL BE ABLE TO get well and move directly to something else. That’s how selfish you ought to be. Try to be happy you've done a character, that you've got entered a mind, learned a brand new perspective after which move on.

You’ve had a gradual career, but you didn’t have any releases between 2008 and 2011. How come?

I was doing Sanjay Gupta’s Alibaug and JP Dutta’s film, both because the main lead. I ASSUMED once these two films were out, they'd put me in a special league altogether. Unfortunately, both films, after two-three years within the making, were shelved. That’s the rationale I picked up Murder 2 and Singham. I just desired to refresh people’s memories. Post this, I'M planning my career very very carefully. I'VE already finished Billa 2. Then there’s Rajdhani Express, a socio-political thriller.

Do you think that you had a tricky time together with your career since you don't seem to be from a filmi family?

(thinks) I don’t know if I should say yes to that or not. Anybody will have a hard time. Even the star kids could have a hard time. Ultimately, the general public is God. In the event that they like you, they are able to make you. In the event that they don’t, there may be nothing you are able to do. Yes, in case you are a celeb kid, obviously you'll get the most efficient launches you want, that is most unlikely in a scenario where you come back from a background like I did. I'VE just waded my way through. But when I hadn’t had my journey so tough, I wouldn’t be what I'M today – a powerful person, clear headed and sorted.