I hoped to be a cricketer but an injury killed my dream-Aditya Seal
7:44 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; October 30, 2016)
Aditya Seal has come a long
way from the teenager played Manisha Koirala's who admirer in Ek
Chhotisi Love Story. The 28-year-old guy sitting before us bears only a
faint resemblance to the cute boy in the 2002 film. Emotionally too, he
has wisened up. Aditya admits that like his character in Tum Bin 2, he
has also seen it all - failure, heartbreak and the agony of unexpressed
love. As the actor gears up for another innings in Bollywood, BT catches
up with him for a candid chat. Excerpts...
Why did you choose acting instead of joining your family business?
I hoped to be a cricketer, but an injury killed my dreams. My father has produced and acted in a Garhwali film, so in a way, he opened the doors of this profession for me. He tried to induct me into our family business, but it didn't interest me.
You joined the business?
Yes, but I was unproductive. I'd just watch videos on my laptop, chat with my uncles and leave. I wanted to be in a profession that gave me an adrenaline rush. Also, my father never forced me to join the business. He wanted me to pursue whatever made me happy. My mother was a bit insecure then, but is supportive now.
People recall you as Manisha Koirala's teenaged admirer from Ek Chhotisi Love Story (2002)...
The film was ahead of its time, but people do recall it. I once met Anil Kapoor, and shyly told him that I'm a huge fan. Since he has worked with Manishaji, I thought I should tell him that I have also done a film with her. When I told him about Ek Chhotisi Love Story, he said, “You're that guy!", in his usual excited tone.
Was it tough for you in school after that film?
People in school did talk about the film, but it didn't affect me. I was just a kid, I didn't know anything. It's only after going to college that I realised what had happened.
Didn't your parents object to Ek Chotisi Love Story?
My family did not get the time to make enquiries about the film. I auditioned for the role, and 24 hours later, I was informed that I had been selected. I was asked to report to the set the next day itself. I had no clue about what was being shot, but I was never exposed to anything that wasn't suitable for my age. In fact, I was kept away when the bold scenes were shot. I've not met Manishaji after that, but I felt sad when I heard about her battle against cancer.
Did you try connecting with her?
I did, but failed. Manishaji and I had only six scenes together. I remember, there was a scene where my character slits his wrist and she comes to see him. Since there was time for her to come on the set, I went off to sleep on the bed where we were supposed to shoot the scene.When I opened my eyes, I saw her sitting in front of me, with a pigtail and no make-up. I've never seen a more beautiful woman in my life.
After that, you returned as the second lead in Purani Jeans (2014) and now, Tum Bin 2...
Purani Jeans didn't click, and so, I didn't expect to get selected for Tum Bin 2. Why would anyone bet their money on me when my films haven't worked? I gave three rounds of auditions for Tum Bin 2, and botched up the last round because I went over-prepared. Then one day, Anubhav (Sinha, director) sir called me and said that I might land the role. Later, he took me to Bhushan Kumar's office, and we inked the deal there. I took the contract and headed to Shirdi with my family to thank God.
How did you deal with failure so early on in your career?
Though Purani Jeans didn't do well, I was praised for my work and I expected good offers to come my way. But when that didn't happen, it pulled me down for a while. There were times when I needed friends to cheer me up. My mother suggested that I join the family business, but that didn't help. On some days, I would just sit in my room, watch movies and ponder about what had gone wrong. Eventually, I spoke to my well wishers and we decided to start from scratch. The plan was to look for the kind of roles played by Aditya Roy Kapur - pivotal characters, though not the lead. I was deeply hurt when I couldn't even find those. I stopped moving around for a bit, but then channeled my energies into training for taekwondo and B-Boying. And then, Tum Bin 2 came my way.
Most romantic films these days have intimate scenes, but the promo of Tum Bin 2 looks like an exception...
It's an emotional film about the kind of love that is felt, but never expressed. There are many heavy moments in the film, many dilemmas that our characters face. But we've not shot some thing that is remotely suggestive, because in stories like these, emotions do what physical proximity doesn't. We couldn't let anything go over board, not even something like touching my co star Neha Sharma's cheeks.
Isn't repeating the success of Tum Bin a tall order?
Yes, it's a huge benchmark. The names of the actors, the songs and scenes of that film are often quoted to us. I was really small when Tum Bin released, but when I saw it after signing this film, I realised why people still remember it. It's a bit unnerving, but I hope we're at least a patch over the old film.
Did you tap into your own experiences while emoting on screen?
I didn't, but like my character, I have also felt strongly for a girl and I know she too had feelings for me. However, neither of us said anything. This was about 10 years ago. So, I know how it feels to love someone and not say it. The first time I touched her was when she hugged me at her birthday party. I felt weak in the knees. I've never felt that way about anyone. Can you believe it, I still remember her phone number by heart.
You're such a hopeless romantic!
I haven't kept in touch with her. It's an incomplete story and I want it to stay that way. Several girls came into my life after her, but that spark was missing. I don't know if she and I will feel the same way if we meet again. I treasure that old feeling and so, that story is best left incomplete.
How do you react when girls hit on you?
I feel shy. When they pay me a compliment, I run away, though ideally, I should be complimenting them in return. I'm not good with that.
What are your plans after Tum Bin 2?
I'm figuring out. Right now, Tum Bin 2 is the focus.
Why did you choose acting instead of joining your family business?
I hoped to be a cricketer, but an injury killed my dreams. My father has produced and acted in a Garhwali film, so in a way, he opened the doors of this profession for me. He tried to induct me into our family business, but it didn't interest me.
You joined the business?
Yes, but I was unproductive. I'd just watch videos on my laptop, chat with my uncles and leave. I wanted to be in a profession that gave me an adrenaline rush. Also, my father never forced me to join the business. He wanted me to pursue whatever made me happy. My mother was a bit insecure then, but is supportive now.
People recall you as Manisha Koirala's teenaged admirer from Ek Chhotisi Love Story (2002)...
The film was ahead of its time, but people do recall it. I once met Anil Kapoor, and shyly told him that I'm a huge fan. Since he has worked with Manishaji, I thought I should tell him that I have also done a film with her. When I told him about Ek Chhotisi Love Story, he said, “You're that guy!", in his usual excited tone.
Was it tough for you in school after that film?
People in school did talk about the film, but it didn't affect me. I was just a kid, I didn't know anything. It's only after going to college that I realised what had happened.
Didn't your parents object to Ek Chotisi Love Story?
My family did not get the time to make enquiries about the film. I auditioned for the role, and 24 hours later, I was informed that I had been selected. I was asked to report to the set the next day itself. I had no clue about what was being shot, but I was never exposed to anything that wasn't suitable for my age. In fact, I was kept away when the bold scenes were shot. I've not met Manishaji after that, but I felt sad when I heard about her battle against cancer.
Did you try connecting with her?
I did, but failed. Manishaji and I had only six scenes together. I remember, there was a scene where my character slits his wrist and she comes to see him. Since there was time for her to come on the set, I went off to sleep on the bed where we were supposed to shoot the scene.When I opened my eyes, I saw her sitting in front of me, with a pigtail and no make-up. I've never seen a more beautiful woman in my life.
After that, you returned as the second lead in Purani Jeans (2014) and now, Tum Bin 2...
Purani Jeans didn't click, and so, I didn't expect to get selected for Tum Bin 2. Why would anyone bet their money on me when my films haven't worked? I gave three rounds of auditions for Tum Bin 2, and botched up the last round because I went over-prepared. Then one day, Anubhav (Sinha, director) sir called me and said that I might land the role. Later, he took me to Bhushan Kumar's office, and we inked the deal there. I took the contract and headed to Shirdi with my family to thank God.
How did you deal with failure so early on in your career?
Though Purani Jeans didn't do well, I was praised for my work and I expected good offers to come my way. But when that didn't happen, it pulled me down for a while. There were times when I needed friends to cheer me up. My mother suggested that I join the family business, but that didn't help. On some days, I would just sit in my room, watch movies and ponder about what had gone wrong. Eventually, I spoke to my well wishers and we decided to start from scratch. The plan was to look for the kind of roles played by Aditya Roy Kapur - pivotal characters, though not the lead. I was deeply hurt when I couldn't even find those. I stopped moving around for a bit, but then channeled my energies into training for taekwondo and B-Boying. And then, Tum Bin 2 came my way.
Most romantic films these days have intimate scenes, but the promo of Tum Bin 2 looks like an exception...
It's an emotional film about the kind of love that is felt, but never expressed. There are many heavy moments in the film, many dilemmas that our characters face. But we've not shot some thing that is remotely suggestive, because in stories like these, emotions do what physical proximity doesn't. We couldn't let anything go over board, not even something like touching my co star Neha Sharma's cheeks.
Isn't repeating the success of Tum Bin a tall order?
Yes, it's a huge benchmark. The names of the actors, the songs and scenes of that film are often quoted to us. I was really small when Tum Bin released, but when I saw it after signing this film, I realised why people still remember it. It's a bit unnerving, but I hope we're at least a patch over the old film.
Did you tap into your own experiences while emoting on screen?
I didn't, but like my character, I have also felt strongly for a girl and I know she too had feelings for me. However, neither of us said anything. This was about 10 years ago. So, I know how it feels to love someone and not say it. The first time I touched her was when she hugged me at her birthday party. I felt weak in the knees. I've never felt that way about anyone. Can you believe it, I still remember her phone number by heart.
You're such a hopeless romantic!
I haven't kept in touch with her. It's an incomplete story and I want it to stay that way. Several girls came into my life after her, but that spark was missing. I don't know if she and I will feel the same way if we meet again. I treasure that old feeling and so, that story is best left incomplete.
How do you react when girls hit on you?
I feel shy. When they pay me a compliment, I run away, though ideally, I should be complimenting them in return. I'm not good with that.
What are your plans after Tum Bin 2?
I'm figuring out. Right now, Tum Bin 2 is the focus.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Post a Comment