Jaaved Jaaferi has been in showbiz for over three decades now, but the actor says that his best is yet to come. In a chat, the Total Dhamaal actor spoke about the kind of roles he wants to do now and how he has learnt a lot from both, his father Jagdeep and his son, Meezaan. Excerpts…

No, there haven’t been many interesting offers. Personally, I can do much more. I just accepted what came my way. I did not want to keep waiting for the right roles, but I now want to focus on significant roles in films. I would love to play characters like what Manoj Bajpayee and Kay Kay Menon have portrayed. I had good roles in web shows Mohrey and Taaza Khabar, but people remember me more from my comedy films.

When a role gets talked about or a film becomes a hit, it is normal to get slotted in that genre. And till you get a different role, which is talked about, you will continue getting similar work. I remember playing a villain in Besharam, but the film didn’t do well. I am doing a dramedy now and it is a different story. I am hoping people will like me in that role.

When I look back, I think I had all the prerequisites to play the lead role. I had a decent personality and could dance well. When I was offered Meri Jung, my father (Jagdeep) saw how the film had veteran actors like Nutan ji, Girish Karnad, Amrish Puri and a writer like Javed Akhtar, so I went ahead with it. Later, Govinda with his dancing style became a hit and he was talented, too. When I saw his success, I felt I could have been in that space if given the opportunity. Maybe I made some wrong decisions, but I don’t cry over it.

Filmmakers have been facing this issue for a long time, even before the pandemic. We have been following the same formula in films and are not telling new stories. Today, the audiences are spoiled for choices. Earlier, mediocrity ruled, people were tolerant and had a good time at the theatres. Now, they are exposed to quality cinema at home. Economically, too, it is not easy to spend 4-5k in a cinema hall. We need to up our game and understand that it’s the film that’s important and not the star. Filmmakers should up their game rather than sticking to making formula films.

On screen, Bhuvan Bam’s Vasya will be seen locking horns with Jaaved Jaaferi’s character in the second season of Taaza Khabar. Off screen, it’s a whole different story.  Working alongside Jaaferi is a cherished experience for the YouTube star-turned-actor. Bam says that growing up, he admired the senior actor-host’s versatility and humour.

“I’ve always looked up to Jaaved sir. Watching him bring characters to life with such ease and charisma was a huge part of my childhood. He was India’s original content creator. Long before the digital age [ushered in], he made us laugh, think, and kept us entertained in ways that only he could,” he says.

Throughout his career, Jaaferi had a way of connecting with different sets of viewers—if the older generation tuned into Channel V’s Flashback, the youth swore by the dance reality show, Boogie Woogie. Bam’s connection with him runs deeper. Jaaferi was the original voice of the Indian version of Takeshi’s Castle, a staple for many in their growing-up years. Recently, Bam took on the mantle and voiced the reboot.

Now, collaborating with Jaaferi on the Disney+ Hotstar series feels “surreal” to Bam. The actor says, “Sharing the screen with someone I’ve admired for so long is surreal. Jaaved sir brings so much depth and intensity to his role. He brings a fierce energy to the role of Yusuf Akhtar that elevates the series. Watching him transform into this powerful antagonist was incredible, and pushed me to bring my best to Vasya’s character.”

When one hears of a Delhi boy moving to Mumbai, the first thought that comes to one’s mind is Shah Rukh Khan’s trajectory—a middle-class boy who came from nowhere and became among the country’s biggest superstars. Bhuvan Bam’s journey is almost an antithesis to that. The internet sensation-turned-actor was a bona fide star when he first arrived in Mumbai in 2017. After six years and many to-and-fro trips to Mumbai, last month, the content creator finally rented an apartment in Lokhandwala, Andheri.

Most move to the Maximum City to fulfill their cherished dreams. Bam has long ticked that box. So, what made him move here, at this stage? “Goals,” he says. That, and convenience.

“I am now developing sequels to Dhindora and Taaza Khabar. It wasn’t humanly possible to shuttle between cities every week. So, I decided to move base to Mumbai, at least for a while.”

The past seven years have been a whirlwind for him. After one of his videos went viral in 2015, the then-Delhi-based boy quickly became an internet sensation with his YouTube vines. He followed it up with his comedy, Dhindora that became a rage among netizens, making him one of the most popular Indian content creators on YouTube. A new chapter of his success story began in January 2023 when he made his web series debut with Disney+ Hotstar’s Taaza Khabar.

For the foreseeable future, Mumbai will be his home as he dabbles in showbiz. He still remembers his first visit to the city in 2017—it was dramatic, thanks to the torrential rains that the city is known for. “I remember the first time I came out of the airport, on a wild rainy day, many years ago,” he says, building up the suspense.

“I took an auto-rickshaw to my destination. There was knee-deep water everywhere, and I was low on cash. Despite less money, the driver dropped me off safely.” That incident told him what he needed to know about the city. “This city has the best people. I am reminded of that incident every year,” he smiles.

Things have changed dramatically in Bam’s life since that rainy day. He now has a beautiful two-bedroom house, to boast of in the city. Between his writing, shooting and deadlines, the content creator-actor is doing up the house. He wants to do it up in a minimal fashion, going with his own approach to things.

We tell him that he didn’t have to face the nightmare that is house-hunting in Mumbai, complete with landlords, their unreasonable conditions before subletting an apartment, and the ever-rising rents. His star power comes in handy, he admits.

“I lucked out. They are some sweet aunties and uncles. It also helps that their children know me. Kisi se pyaar se milo toh they would be happy to give you their home. By the time we are at the stage of signing lease, they know me and my work. Since I am on YouTube, they trust me to not be unreliable,” he grins.

And there is always his Marathi background to fall back on. “I am a Maharashtrian boy from Delhi. So, Marathi words work like magic on them,” he laughs.

Building a life anew in another city is tough. One has to not only find their own rhythm in the city, but also steadily build a support system—from helpful neighbours, to like-minded colleagues, and hopefully, new friends—to make the transition easier. Bam, who lost his parents to COVID-19 in 2021, knows that the road ahead will be emotionally tough. But at 29, it’s a part and parcel of adulting.

“For most of us, this phase of life is about physically living away from the people who know us best. Technology keeps us together, but most of my friends aren’t in Delhi anymore. They are all over the world. Every now and then, we catch up and get a lowdown on each other’s lives.”

 

Living alone can be daunting. It’s no different if you’re a star, he notes. But Bam is where work is. “Delhi doesn’t evoke the same discipline in me as Mumbai does. Delhi is home, wahaan aalas failana aasaan hai. In Mumbai, if you don’t work for two days, you feel guilty. The lethargy of Delhi has been replaced by the alertness of Mumbai. You have to live up to this city’s hustle culture. I feel slightly away from my comfort zone.”

Do the little things that come with the change of scene unsettle him? To begin with, he must be used to the wide roads of Delhi. Cut to the infamous traffic snarls of Mumbai. How is he coping with them? “My projects are in development at this stage. So, we are sitting indoors and writing. The long hours of being stuck in traffic haven’t become unbearable yet. I either write at home, or with my friends who live a few lanes away.”

But surely, he must be missing Delhi food. Every Delhiite, who comes to the island city, whines about how it can’t match the capital’s gol gappa or chhole kulche. “Delhi is a class apart when it comes to food. But you have to find hidden gems in the city where the dal makhani matches up, and the butter chicken feels familiar,” he says.

So, has he discovered some haunts in the city? He recommends bun maska and chai at the Irani Bakery. “That said, I am mostly a home-cooked meal person. I like my rajma and kadhi made at home. I have stopped ordering off food apps. I used to be a serial orderer. But I have changed my ways.” 

His previous visits had already familiarized him with Mumbai. Over the past month that he has moved in, he is getting to know it more intimately. So, does it feel like home yet? “Culturally, Delhi and Mumbai aren’t too far apart. That way, Delhi and Bengaluru are poles apart. For me, it’s simple. Delhi is my safe space; I will never sell my Delhi house. Delhi is home and Mumbai is work. And I continue to be at work. Ghar toh kabhi bhi jaa sakte hai.”

Its people, and rains. 

Hate is a strong emotion. I need to live here more to find the flaws. 

I hope it keeps fulfilling dreams of many aspirational people like me. 

Mumbai always lives up to it. Even though dreams are unfulfilled at times, the city teaches us that such is life. 

Let’s see. Home is where heart is, and I’m possessive about my heart.

Creating something from scratch is never easy and Bhuvan Bam knows it well. From creating his own YouTube channel that gave him fame to creating the web series Dhindora (2021) and starring in Taaza Khabar, he has come a long way.

Bam shares, “Comedy, drama, thriller, romance... I feel Taaza Khabar opened a lot of doors for me as an actor. Now, it is up to me to decide how I want to portray myself as an actor.”

The 29-year-old adds that he is also aware of how careful he needs to be at this stage of his career. “I am new in the business. I need a lot of hand holding about what I should do next. I try to meet people from the industry who have been through this. Main sunta sabki hoon, aur ek average nikaalta hoon, and then decide if it is the right thing for me or not,” he says.

Being in a creative field, however, can he afford to be calculative about things? Isn’t it about gut feeling and relying on one’s instinct?

Bam replies, “Instinct plays a part when the camera is rolling, wahan pe calculation nahin hoti. But in a web show or music business, there are other voices involved too. I have to respect that and be on the same page. Calculation production mein kaam aati hai. But director set pe instincts se shoot karta hain, crew se baat karke hi kuchh aur karta hai. Set pe sab kuchh gut feeling ke basis pe hota hai.”

Six months into the year, Shriya Pilgaonkar has already featured in two popular web series. After starting 2023 with Taaza Khabar, the actor recently reprised her role in the second season of Crackdown. A web series being renewed for a second edition is a sign of success, but it can be tricky for actors.

“The second season can’t be more of the same,” states Pilgaonkar. “In Crackdown 2, I did more [demanding] action sequences, and there was a strong emotional graph.”

Last year, Pilgaonkar was one of the most successful actors in digital entertainment, grabbing eyeballs with Guilty Minds and The Broken News. But there is a flipside to it. “I have noticed that because I have done more work in digital entertainment, people have started labelling me an OTT actor. I don’t know what it means. An actor is an actor across mediums. The industry is quick to label you.”

The actor, who forayed into Bollywood with Fan (2016), wishes to maintain a balance between movies and web series. “I want to work with certain filmmakers. I want to try to do more films. I’d love to do a good web series, but I also want to see myself on the big screen.”

Foraying into production is the next step. The decision stems from her hunger as an actor. “Sometimes, as an actor, when [the kind of stories] you want aren’t coming to you, it’s a good time to make something of your own. I am trying to actively build [projects] for myself.”

Bhuvan Bam is probably best known for being among the first wave of content creators who made it big on the web. Bam rose to fame making small, relatable videos, all by himself. Today, two web shows starring him in the lead — Dhindora and Taaza Khabar — are being renewed for their second seasons.

As someone who has been associated with web content for so long, what does he think about the looming fear of censorship here? “I used to think censorship wouldn’t come on YouTube, but it did. It’s inevitable; we have a massive population. [But] itni nahin aayegi ki dikkat ho jaayegi,” he says.

Taaza Khabar received good reviews, but some of its content attracted criticism. For instance, a shot of a man defecating drew a lot of flak. “People said, ‘Hum khaana kha rahe thhe, humein woh scene odd laga’. My take on that is that character grew up around that place. If you don’t see that, you won’t feel disgusted with how his life is. How would you relate to his story for the next six episodes?” says the actor.

With the conversation around strong language and scenes on OTT getting louder by the day, the 29-year-old says that as far as content goes, it’s horses for courses. “Only viewers can figure out the balance — aapko kya dekhna hai... One thing with your family, and something else when you’re alone, with friends or your partner,” Bam wraps up.

His success story is one for the books. Bhuvan Bam began his career in 2015 making comedy sketches that, in no time, garnered a wide fan following. But even in his wildest dreams, he wouldn’t have imagined making the distance from an Internet sensation to an actor in eight years. Today, as his maiden web series, Taaza Khabar, has been renewed for a second season, the actor-comedian says he hopes to be a “lambi race ka ghoda”.

“I knew [in my initial years] that I won’t be able to prove much in those five-six minute videos. I knew that if I wanted to be a lambi race ka ghoda, I’d have to move out of comedy and try something new. I don’t want to be known as a one-show wonder. [Going forward], there has to be much more than this, whether it’s season two, three, a new show or a new genre,” begins Bam, who is taking baby steps into showbiz.

While he caught everyone’s attention with his sketches and Dhindora (2021), Bam says that the recent Disney+ Hotstar series, also starring Shriya Pilgaonkar, put him on the map. The actor shares that he has sensed a change in the industry’s perception of him since Taaza Khabar.

“Co-actors easily say yes today. Earlier, they would think, kaise karenge? They would [wonder] whether they should do it or not because [I] have come from YouTube. Earlier, co-actors would say yes with inhibition and after a lot of difficulty. But eventually, when they would find out about our vision, it would turn into mutual admiration.” 

The entertainment industry might have taken its time to warm up to him, but Bam’s audience has remained loyal to him since the beginning. He says that because of his trajectory, people view his success as a personal win. He adds, “People tell me that they relate with my success. But this can’t be the peak.”

Internet’s funny man Bhuvan Bam made his OTT debut with Taaza Khabar in January. For the web offering, the actor-comic stayed true to his style, bringing on the laughs with the story of a sanitation worker who realizes he has a superpower.

Manthan, a Rajkot-based fan of Bam, was so impressed by the Disney+ Hotstar offering that he gifted him a van that has been designed keeping the show’s theme in mind. While the vehicle’s exterior is covered with the series’ poster, the interiors are decorated with fairy lights and Taaza Khabar’s stills.   

Manthan drove the customized van from Rajkot to Mumbai, and then reached out to the content creator’s team.

Bam admits that he was overwhelmed on seeing his gesture of love. “The van was like a mini-home. He took care of small details, like the stills from the show, not just featuring me, but also other actors. There is also a television set, and a bean bag where you can sit down and watch whatever you want. I’ll always be grateful for the love that this show has been receiving,” shares the actor.

Content creator and actor Bhuvan Bam is currently basking in the success of his recent OTT outing, Taaza Khabar. While he is grateful for all the love coming his way, Bam says he wants to remain connected to his YouTube family of over 25 million subscribers.

The 29-year-old actor, who was last seen in a rom-com Rafta Rafta, says, “I find ample time to write episodes to keep my channel running. My audience deserves it. I can’t let go of that because they made me. Woh mujhe naturally aata hai and while doing that, I have got bigger ambitions.”

With his OTT debut Dhindora, as well as the show Taaza Khabar, Bam stepped into the shoes of an actor as well as a producer as he “wanted to have creative control”. “It was on my bucket list that I would make my acting debut with my own show and characters. There is a larger goal for which I’m here. My dream is to tell stories, and we are a land of content. I want to tell my own stories in my own capacity. It might take a few months or a few years, but that’s how I want to go about it. That’s why I’m serious about projects we are working on,” he says.

Talking about taking up acting full-fledgedly, Bam elaborates, “Every time I faced the camera for my YouTube videos, I realized acting is what I wanted to do. I remember cracking characters like Titu Mama, and many times, people couldn’t differentiate between the real me and my characters, which made me realize that I could pull this off and that maybe, I was doing something right. I decided to take acting up seriously and polish my already existing skills. I learnt a lot of new things on my way. It was a gradual process. I never thought that I’ll do a full-fledged acting job but it eventually happened and now, I’m glad that I took the risk.”

The growth of the digital space, he feels, is heartening as ever since the pandemic, “people have now started taking OTT seriously”. With many content creators turning actors off late, does he feel he fear that he won’t be taken seriously in the industry?

To this, Bam says, “When you’re trying to change the perception about yourself, the first few projects are tough as people can’t imagine you in any other character other than your existing image. In my case, casting calls started coming in right after Taaza Khabar. People saw potential and how different it was from a YouTube show. And of course, after the show dropped and people watched it, there has been a drastic change in their basic perception of me.”

Before breaking out as a singer-actor, Bhuvan Bam was an internet sensation. At a time when one’s social-media presence holds huge value, filmmakers are fast turning to potential performers’ social media numbers while casting. Bam experienced it first-hand.

“Maine dekha hai yeh. I was being preferred over someone and I got to know about it. Reason wahi, ‘Itne followers hain aapke, aap aa jao’. Maine kaha, ‘Arre, batao toh sahi, role kya hai, story kya hai’ This happens a lot. My friends tell me that [between] a person who has four-five thousand followers and a person who has one-two million followers, [the latter is preferred],” shares the 28-year-old, recently seen in the show Taaza Khabar, which he produced as well.

The singer-actor puts it down to a business-forward mindset. “They think, ‘Who can get more footfall in theatres, who can get more traffic on streaming platforms?’ I think theek hai, agar aapko yeh karna hai toh karo, eventually you will know what the story is about. Pata chal jaata hai agar story mein dum nahin hai, aur phir kuchh nahin ho sakta,” Bam explains.

This contradicts the commonly accepted belief that OTT has changed the game for both content and deserving artistes. Has creativity taken a backseat on the web, too? “Yes, because we don’t live in creative surroundings. It’s all algorithm-based. Abhi aap algorithm ke mohtaaj hain. If I put a post versus a reel on Instagram, people will watch the reel more, because it benefits the platform from a business point-of-view. Earlier, it used to last 15 seconds. Now, they allow a minute. But nothing will stay the same, change is constant,” he ends.

Internet star Bhuvan Bam seems to be quickly gaining a foothold in showbiz. The social media star has already begun work on the second season of his popular series, Dhindora, which sees him play as many as nine characters. He will also showcase his acting chops in the Disney+ Hotstar offering, Taaza Khabar. Now, the content creator has bagged his third acting project — he will play the lead in a yet-untitled web series that revolves around a young married couple.

The family entertainer also stars senior actors Atul Srivastav and Rakesh Bedi, besides Srishti Ganguli Rindani and Kamini Khanna. Bam became a social media favourite with his cheeky vines, and Dhindora — both reflecting the humour of everyday situations. The upcoming romantic-comedy, he says, will be in the same vein.

“It [focuses] on the banter between the young couple. It is a light-hearted [show], with funny and relatable characters. The project also gave me an opportunity to work with veteran actors like Atul sir and Rakesh sir. I grew up watching them on screen, and now sharing screen space with them is a dream come true. Being around them is a huge learning experience for me,” he says.

The project is backed by his production house, BB Ki Vines, and helmed by Rohit Raj.

After displaying his acting skills in the popular web series, Dhindora, Internet star-content creator Bhuvan Bam will be seen in Taaza Khabar soon. The Disney+ Hotstar series reportedly revolves around a sanitation worker who aspires to lead a better life, and realises his wish using magic. As much as the social media star is enjoying tapping into his acting talent, he also experienced the perils of shooting.

We hear Bam recently injured his right arm and shoulder while filming an action sequence in a Goregaon studio. “This is the first time Bhuvan is exploring action. He had to land a punch and missed it. As a result, he fell and hurt himself,” says a source.

While he was given immediate medical attention, the unit resumed shooting soon after. Bam says, “It was a freak accident while filming one of the action scenes. Thankfully, it wasn’t too serious. We could resume the shoot after a small break.”

The feel-good comedy sees him team up with Shriya Pilgaonkar.

On most days, Bhuvan Bam has got netizens in splits, courtesy his cheeky vines and videos. Last year, the internet sensation launched his independent web series, Dhindora, on YouTube. No prizes for guessing that the comedy — that revolves around a middle-class family who suddenly strike it rich, and sees Bam play as many as nine characters — was an instant hit with viewers, clocking close to half a billion views. Now, Bam and director Himank Gaur have begun work on the second season of the slice-of-life series.

The actor-content creator confirms the development, stating, “We started Dhindora with the simple aim of entertaining the audiences with a web show set around interesting characters. The show was well-received, and we are grateful for all the love. We have already started work on the next season.”

Bam will double up as the screenplay writer. If things go as per plan, the show will go on floors by the year-end.

The social media star will also lead the Disney+ Hotstar web series, Taaza Khabar.