INTERVIEW | When Vikram Bhatt gave 'Twisted' actor Rrahul Sudhir a dirty look!

Samarth Srivastava

Lucknow: ‘Hard Work Pays off’, the quote suits apt to the ‘Twisted 2’ actor Rrahul Sudhir who struggled his way out to success. Rrahul Sudhir is the new web sensation and has become a popular name especially among girls. His journey was, however, not as simple as it looked.

He recalled the incident when Bollywood filmmaker Vikram Bhatt gave him the dirtiest look ever when he appeared in front of him for the first time. It was his worst experience but certainly acted as a ladder towards attainment.

Newstrack.com had a Q and A session with the heartthrob Rrahul Sudhir.

How it all started for you?

I have come from a middle class, studious and an ordinary family. My father wanted me to become an engineer. Both, he and my mother pushed me very hard and I became an engineer. I started working with big names including DELL, HCL etc. But somewhere, I was dissatisfied from within.

I had an inclination towards acting and I wanted to face camera but no one in my family was associated with this field. It was tough for me to chase my dreams by going out of my family’s way. But, then one day, one of my friends suggested me to give a try in a ‘play’. I took time; discussed it with my family and then decided going for it.

So, little by little I started working in theatres and within a month I started enjoying it. But craving for acting took me further and I started taking acting lessons to establish myself as a full time actor in spite of being just a theatre artist.

How you met Vikram Bhatt and how things worked in your favour?

I left my job in Delhi and landed in the mayanagri Mumbai. I knew things were not so easy for me as I was new in the city with no one known in the industry. It was even worse when I got several rejections. I was unemployed by then and distressed. I almost made my mind to return back to Delhi and resume my job but my father asked me to not do so.

Finally I bagged a role in a web series, titled ‘All About Section 377’, directed by Amit Khanna. At that time, I was dying to do any role offered so I played a gay in that with a thing in mind that nobody will opt for this very role.

After that I was again left with no work. I again decided to go back and tell my father that I am coming back home and will open a chemist shop. But my father showed confidence on me and asked me to give three more months.

It was August 2016 and the associated director of ‘All About Section 377’ called me and said that Vikram Bhatt is directing a web series titled ‘Maaya’ and he is looking for the role of a lawyer. I certainly agreed to the offer and went to meet Vikram Bhatt.

They liked my work in ‘Maaya’, so they invited me for ‘Gehraiya’ and ‘Spotlight’. The associate director of ‘Maaya’ Anupam had told me that he is going to shoot for ‘Twisted’ in sometime and he will definitely take him in that show.

Time flied and one day I saw a media event of ‘Twisted’ on Facebook live. I called Anupam and reminded him of his words. He asked me to meet quickly. When we met, he said that there is a role of an ex-boyfriend of Alia (Nia Sharma) and I was okay with that.

Rrahul Sudhir's first encounter with Vikram Bhatt...

So, how was your meet with a renowned Bollywood director Vikram Bhatt?

Anupam took me to the boss (Vikram Bhatt) and asked him to make me Alia’s ex-boyfriend. Boss gave me the dirtiest look ever; he looked at me from top to bottom and said, “Okay, Bana Do.” It was the worst feeling I ever had in Mumbai. Like I had a fantastic Bollywood director in front of me and he gave me the worst look. I got a strong feeling that I am not getting this part.

Next day, Anupam called me and said Boss did not want me to play that role as he wants me to play a cop. I said ‘what’ I cannot pull off a cop’s role, ‘meri to physique bhi nahi hai vaisi’. He said that they will manage it and it won’t be a cop wearing uniform.

So, this is how ‘Twisted’ happened and it was huge hit in its own zone. Then, in the second installment they decided to take me as a lead opposite to Nia Sharma.

Check how Rrahul Sudhir lost his weight for 'Twisted 2'...

You lost plenty of wait for your role in ‘Twisted 2’. Tell us the reason behind that?

Basketball has remained my favourite sport since my childhood and I did nothing new instead just gave four hours to Basketball daily along with a decent diet. I don’t have any interest of making six-pack abs so I prefer doing cardio and to all those who just want to shed weight they should prefer running or any sport instead of hitting the gym.

How your ‘Twisted 2’ role was different from other roles you’ve played so far?

When you play lead, expectations increase with the role. Vikram Bhatt writing the role having you in mind was the biggest blessing I had. I gave my best.

How you felt working with Vikram Bhatt?

Everybody calls him boss in the office. My work is very limited and you see boss, he is the producer, writer. He is a phenomenal story teller. It was him who choreographed ‘Ghaav Hai’ song which got a tremendous response from the audience.

Rrahul's has something to say about his chemistry with Nia Sharma...

Your chemistry with Nia Sharma has been loved immensely. Tell us something about that?

Nia is an honest and down-to-earth girl. Everyday on the sets, I was not approaching a Telly star; I was actually approaching a friend. We were not new to each other as we had worked together in ‘Twisted’. She is sweet and warm. Moreover, I am also bit educated so I appeal to her good. Even, Dilnaaz (Arunima) was very good. We all shared a great bonding. I never felt any pressure with such loving people around.

Are they dating??? Let's find out...

There are rumours of you and Nia Sharma dating? How true are those?

It is very evident with every lead pair. I am still single.

In such a short time you got ample of fan following, especially among girls. How does it feel?

It is overwhelming, humbling, it is everything I always aspired to be. I wanted to be famous among girls. I was never popular among girls during my teenage so I wanted to be.

How long we have to wait for ‘Twisted 3’?

No idea, really. It would take time for sure.

Is your life as twisted as ‘Twisted’?

I live a very simple life and stay along with my uncle.

Who is Rrahul's inspiration???

Who inspires you the most as an actor?

In Bollywood, Naseer sir is like a god to me in acting. Boman Irani, Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui they are all entire league of actors. Aamir Khan is also doing the killer job. In every film, he is trying to do something different. I also love Mohan Lal, Kamal Hassan, Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor they are just phenomenal.

I see Christian Bale as my inspiration. When I saw him acting for the first time, I just wished I want to do like that.

Name some actresses with whom you would love to share screen?

Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Aditi Rao Hydari and many others.

Secret behind your beard?

Nothing, I just let it grow.

How Rahul Sudhir finds himself different from other actors?

There is no comparison in acting. Every person comes with his own style, I also have my style. I want to sport the roles which connect to the audience. One thing I find different in myself is that I don’t stress on body building.

Have you ever hated anybody as you hated Nia in the first half of ‘Twisted 2’?

Not at all. That was even shocking to me also.

Have you ever visited Lucknow?

Not yet but I know that city’s tundey kebabs are just mouth-watering.

Rrahul Sudhir has a message for his fans...

A message for your fans?

I just want to tell them that they should educate themselves, work very hard in life, mind their own business, respect their parents and whatever they do just do that with all their heart.