I am a self-destructive idiot-Swara Bhaskar
7:42 AM
From playing a jilted lover to a mother, Swara Bhaskar has happily taken the road less preferred to make a mark
Ritambhara Dixit (BOMBAY TIMES; August 19, 2016)
You are one of the few
actors who has managed to make a successful transition from playing a
supporting actor to lead actress. How was the journey?
An actor is an actor. No actor thinks of themselves as a character actor or a hero heroine. I knew I was never going to get a big launch, I didn't know anyone in Mumbai. I was fresh out of college, packed my bags and landed in Mumbai. For people like me, we have no other way up, we have nothing but our skill to count on. I just had one principle in life, don't wait and waste your years in hope that someday you might get a lead. Till Nil Battey Sannata, it was always my supporting parts that did well. I finally have a solo hit to my name! But, it is not like they show in the movies, one hit does not guarantee permanent fame. Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan have been at it for 30-35 years to reach where they are today.
Do you believe that stereotyping exists in the industry? After Tanu Weds Manu and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, was there anxiety that you will only be offered supporting roles and not the main part?
Stereotyping does exist! In fact, after Payal did well, I got so many offers for playing the lead's best friend or similar roles. I also got offers for Bhojpuri because of the accent. As an actor, you cannot control what you get offered, but what you can control is what you say yes to, and it is in that area that I exercise control. As an actor I am very instinctive, movies like Tanu Weds Manu and Raanjhanaa were a straight yes. It was Prem Ratan Dhan Payo that needed convincing. If I were to play Salman's sister, then I would only be doing friend-sister, but everyone around me convinced me that it was a Salman movie and that I must take it up. And I believe that best way to break a stereotype is to not adhere to it, and do everything that you can get your hands on.
You have been unconventional in your choice of roles...
Yes, because I am a self-destructive idiot! But all the roles that I have picked up have been rejected by everyone else. In Prem Ratan... no one wanted to play the sister, I did! In Nil Battey, I play a 30 plus mother, in Raanjhanaa, I am a jilted lover. I just believe in carving my own niche, and not listening to society, because if you have done everything, what will they you judge on!
An actor is an actor. No actor thinks of themselves as a character actor or a hero heroine. I knew I was never going to get a big launch, I didn't know anyone in Mumbai. I was fresh out of college, packed my bags and landed in Mumbai. For people like me, we have no other way up, we have nothing but our skill to count on. I just had one principle in life, don't wait and waste your years in hope that someday you might get a lead. Till Nil Battey Sannata, it was always my supporting parts that did well. I finally have a solo hit to my name! But, it is not like they show in the movies, one hit does not guarantee permanent fame. Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan have been at it for 30-35 years to reach where they are today.
Do you believe that stereotyping exists in the industry? After Tanu Weds Manu and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, was there anxiety that you will only be offered supporting roles and not the main part?
Stereotyping does exist! In fact, after Payal did well, I got so many offers for playing the lead's best friend or similar roles. I also got offers for Bhojpuri because of the accent. As an actor, you cannot control what you get offered, but what you can control is what you say yes to, and it is in that area that I exercise control. As an actor I am very instinctive, movies like Tanu Weds Manu and Raanjhanaa were a straight yes. It was Prem Ratan Dhan Payo that needed convincing. If I were to play Salman's sister, then I would only be doing friend-sister, but everyone around me convinced me that it was a Salman movie and that I must take it up. And I believe that best way to break a stereotype is to not adhere to it, and do everything that you can get your hands on.
You have been unconventional in your choice of roles...
Yes, because I am a self-destructive idiot! But all the roles that I have picked up have been rejected by everyone else. In Prem Ratan... no one wanted to play the sister, I did! In Nil Battey, I play a 30 plus mother, in Raanjhanaa, I am a jilted lover. I just believe in carving my own niche, and not listening to society, because if you have done everything, what will they you judge on!
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