After spending two decades in showbiz as an actor, Vivan Bhathena now has direction on his mind. “It’s all about finding the right project,” he says, adding, “I’m finally making the move towards direction and writing for myself.”

The actor does have his plate full at the moment. “I am working on two-three web shows right now. I even have a film coming out, helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar. There are active talks for film from the south industry. So there’s a lot going on currently,” he shares.

Now, with his heart set to get on the director’s chair, he is pitching his ideas actively: “I’m trying to find the right people to work with… Whom I can sell my scripts to and direct it myself.”

Opening up about what pushed him into direction, the 43-year-old says, “It’s always been on my mind. For me, it has been about creation right from the beginning. I have been a photographer for about 10-12 years. Now, I am trying to channel it through another lens.”

According to Bhathena, it all boils down to how well you communicate with your actors. “As an actor, you bring in a very unique perspective. But as a director, it’s all about your ability to communicate with the actors. I think it will be easy for me to handle my actors, as I can completely understand what goes through an actor’s mind, what their insecurities are, and how to tackle them,” the Sooryavanshi (2021) actor says, revealing that it was the initial financial crunch that held him back for a while.

“Now it is time to explore my passion, and see what the future holds for me. I’d like to transition slowly and steadily to different things. But in no way am I going to quit acting. As long as the projects are interesting, I’ll definitely keep doing them. But direction is something that I am really looking forward to try my hands on in the future,” ends the actor, who first made an appearance in the music video Maine Payal Hai Chhankai (1999), and went on to star in shows such as Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Chhoona Hai Aasmaan and movies like Chak De! India (2007), Dangal (2016) and Bimbisara.

It was with singer Falguni Pathak’s Maine Payal Hai Chhankai music video that actor Vivan Bhathena made his debut in showbiz in 1999. After the recent war of words between Pathak and Kakkar on the song’s recreation, the actor says that his inbox is flooded with messages from people expressing their disappointment.

“I have been getting messages with people saying, ‘How can Neha do this?’ or ‘She has spoiled the song’. Each generation has its own version of things. You can’t say I will only watch (actors) Michael Keaton’s Batman (1989) or Sean Connery’s Bond films. You can’t be angry at somebody for trying to reinvent it (the song). If she (Kakkar) is doing well and the music is doing well, it is okay. It is a homage to the original song,” the 43-year-old explains.

The Sooryavanshi (2021) actor shares his memories of how he got his big break, and says, “I had gone with a friend who was doing a trial and a casting person asked me if I wanted to do the video. And I was like, ‘Why not?’ It was fate.”

Bhathena is happy that the music video of the 1999 song made such an impact that people still remember it. “Directors Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru created magic with the song and it was their vision of creating those beautiful small romances. There was a market for it. Now, music videos have taken a very different turn. I am not sure if those cute stories are being told [now],” the actor ends.

Moving on from the success of Sooryavanshi, Vivan Bhathena has begun shooting for Ali Abbas Zafar’s next, alongside Shahid Kapoor. Roped in to play the antagonist, the actor says that he always “hoped to work” with the Tiger Zinda Hai director.

“My character has a hint of comedy and seriousness. He is all about the flashy clothes and jewellery with a mean demeanour. [While] the physical prep remained the same, I had to be imposing [to make it look like] a David and Goliath equation on screen,” says Bhathena of the comedy-drama titled Bloody Daddy.

Interestingly, Bhathena and Kapoor share a bond that dates back 20 years. “We were at the Ishq Vishk auditions together. We used to sit outside ad offices for auditions. Shahid is a lovely, humble chap and has not changed at all. He is receptive to feedback. When he saw Dangal [2016], he hugged me in the gym and said that he loved my work [in the film]. I am happy to see what an amazing actor and father he has become. It has been an eye-opening experience for me to see him grow like that,” says the actor about his co-star.

The actor will wrap up the shoot by January.

After a brief appearance in Nitesh Tiwari's Aamir Khan starrer Dangal as a wrestler, Vivan Bhathena will now play the antagonist in the David Dhawan directorial Judwaa 2, which features Varun Dhawan in a double role, along with Jacqueline Fernandez and Taapsee Pannu. The model-turned-actor will start shooting from mid-February. “David sir saw me in Nikkhil sir's (Nikkhil Advani) Hero and told Mukesh (Mukesh Chhabra, casting director) that he wanted me for Judwaa 2. He praised my work in the earlier film when we met at a party at Salman sir's (Salman Khan) farmhouse. He has shown a lot of faith in me,“ exults Vivan who has been sweating it out in the gym to shed the 10 kilos he had gained for Dangal.

“I play a stylish villain who's lean and smart. Aalim Hakim has given me a new hairstyle and we are also considering adding a few tattoos to my body. David sir wanted someone as tough who could take on the macho, muscular Varun and believes I suit the part.“

Vivan whose character will have some comic elements too, will be shooting for the London schedule around April. Prod him if, like Varun, he will be get to serenade Jackie and Taapsee in the sequel to Salman Khan's 1997 comedy, and he quips with a smile, “I doubt it but nothing's impossible.“ Que sera sera...