From telly to silver screen

Vikrant Rai, who was seen as lead in TV serials like Ghar ki Lakshmi, Maayka and also as a supporting actor in Kavyanjali is all set to make his Bollywood debut with ‘Uvaa’, which is set to release on June 26. In a freewheeling chat, he shares his mantra of success. Excerpts from the interview.

How did the transition from television to movies happen?

I have been known for intense and lover boy characters on television. My journey was smooth as I got my first break with Balaji Productions – Ekta liked my performance and personally called me and selected me for her mega show of the year Kavyanjali. That was my first audition and I was selected. Later, I moved to Zee TV and did two shows where I played the lead role.

Luckily, both the shows were an instant hit wherever Zee had its reach and my characters were received well. I always wondered why only star sons debut on big screen and why someone like me couldn’t do something. I took it as a challenge and decided that no matter what I will debut in Bollywood and prove to everyone that with patience, self-belief and determination even a boy from nowhere can conquer Rome. Surely it took me sometime.

Tell us a bit about the movie and your role in the ‘Uvaa’?

When director Jasbir Bhaati narrated the film’s story, I was super excited about my character – V Ram Pratap Choudhary. Jasbir happens to be the director of my first acting assignment too – Kavyanjali. He was looking for an actor who has the personality of a leader with a strong screen presence and can yet perfectly fit into the role of a school boy.

As he narrated my character, I was creating a visual in my mind and appreciated every part of it. The decision making qualities, leadership abilities and shyness in relation to girls were the nuances of the character that I really liked. So I sensed the opportunity to show two different shades in my acting. This film is a youthful entertainer with a strong social message.

What inspired you to take the movie?

My conviction and hard work has always been my inspiration. I have cherished a dream of appearing on the big screen. No doubt the fame and respect people have for my work is from television but cinema has been my childhood dream. To be honest I was a hero since my childhood (smiles). All my friends, teachers and classmates used to address me "ohh hero".

In fact even if my teacher scolded me she would say, ‘Go to Mumbai and become a hero! You don’t fit in here and your herogiri will not be tolerated’. I believed that and that’s why I took a break from TV for a while as seeing myself on the big screen was a dream I could not refrain from. Acting is my passion, and acting on big screen was my ultimate goal.

Between television and cinema, which one is your preference?

Good work, wherever it comes from, be it TV or films, are welcome. I want to add value to what I do. It’s high time we stop differentiating between film and television, as both are a form of entertainment and both have their own importance.

What are your future plans?

The release of ‘Uvaa’ will decide my future. Am eagerly awaiting the audiences’ reaction. There are a few more projects I am in talks about but nothing is concrete and so I can’t talk about it now.

By Askari Jaffer