Jim Sarbh talks about B’town as he gives us a glimpse of his mad, mad world
Deebashree Mohanty (TIMES LIFE; March 24, 2019)

Q. You have had a great career in theatre. What made you shift to movies?
(Sings Bob Dylan’s Rambling Gambling Willie) Ride Willie ride, roll Willie roll, wherever you're a gambling now nobody knows... I never imagined life without film acting, that’s why I moved back to Bombay in the first place. But as a s**t schmoozer, and with no connections in the film industry, I mined the ones I had already: theatre contacts, and wound up acting in a play. I kept getting cast, so I kept acting. I auditioned for films but no one cast me. When I got cast in a film, I started acting in films.

Is it your strategy to opt for unconventional roles in Bollywood?
No. I acted in everything I was cast in up until Sanju. Like a baby to tigermilk.

Did it ever bother you that you would be typecast as the token firang?
This is a rude question and I’m tired of answering it.

What space does the entertainment industry offer to indie cinema and online content/web series?
I think indie cinema and online content are two platforms that are blooming now. I hear of more and more interesting stories that are finally being allowed to be told. I am excited to see how these industries develop as they receive more funding, and the technical and storytelling expertise gets better to bring all these fascinating Indian stories to the world stage.

A thing you’d like to change about Bollywood...
Well, it’s all a kind of mass psychosis... but one thing? Uhhhhh… the hours?

What was the most cherished compliment for your movies? Please give us a few examples of how the audience has reacted.
(Laughs) No way. The only thing I have memorised is the harshest criticism I have received. And some of the pickup lines on my Insta feed.

When you are not working you are...?
I’ve got sand in my shoes.

What does it take to keep oneself relevant in the dynamic social media space?
Not. A. ****ing. Clue.

When is the last time you went holidaying, and what is that one destination on your bucket list?
I was at Sundance recently, it was wonderful – all my college buddies from Emory helped to make Sometimes, I think about Dying (selected for Shorts Programs at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival). We all had a grand old party. Last year my favourite trip was to Guatemala and the beautiful Antigua. I hope to do a little scuba diving in the Andamans, and perhaps backpack around other parts of South America.

Do you think cooking can act as a real stress buster?
Yes, I do. Same as cleaning or organising. Once upon a time, I made a tasty masoor dal, and a vegetarian lasagna with spinach and baingan.

What is comfort food for you?
Pizza and beer.

Is marriage a decision made with the heart or should the mind be involved?
(Sings Everyday People by Sly & the Family Stone) Sometimes I’m right and I can be wrong My own beliefs are in my song The butcher, the banker, the drummer and then Makes no difference what group I’m in I am everyday people, yeah yeah There is a blue one who can’t accept the green one For living with a fat one trying to be a skinny one And different strokes for different folks And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo Oh sha sha we got to live together I am no better and neither are you We are the same whatever we do You love me, you hate me, you know me and then You can’t figure out the bag I’m in

Where do you get your fashion sense from?
Fashion sense: lion’s got a mane, peacock’s got a tail.

Do you follow fashion trends?
Nope.

QUICK FOUR

Does art inspire you?
Yes. I grew up around it, so, though I don’t know art terminology, I have a strong sense of what touches me and what doesn’t. A lot touches me.

A cherished painting?
It isn’t my most cherished painting, but right now, I am thinking of Goya’s Saturn Devouring His Son.

The caption of most of your Instagram pictures is a song. What is the story behind this?
Easier than thinking of a caption.

If not an actor, you would have been…
A guy who’s taken a vow of silence at Tapovan over Gaumukh.