Amit Bhargav - I Was Discovered In A Hit Serial Called 'Kalyanam Mudhal Kadhal Varai' Which Truly Endeared Me To The Tamil Industry (Actor, India)

 

As I did more and more plays and played the role of Rama in the Kannada TV serial Seethe, I knew that acting and cinema was the only thing I could see myself doing. 

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I come from a privileged background and I'm neither proud nor bashful of the fact. But I am very proud and grateful for the values instilled by my parents and elders which gave me the tools to not take my privilege for granted. I belong to a family of highly educated professionals to whom cinema was just a pastime. 

I'm the only one in my immediate and extended family who has made media and cinema my profession. But my parents couldn't be more supportive of my career choice. I derive a lot of strength from my family and wouldn't be half the man I am today if not for them. 

As for my journey, I finished my schooling and obtained a law degree in Bengaluru. I was born in Mysore and raised in Bengaluru with almost no exposure to Tamil movies and culture. The decision to make my name in the Tamil industry was born from me suddenly getting introduced and then hooked on to Tamil movies. 

My brother was watching Nayagan and although I couldn't understand the language at all, the movie stirred something inside me. I then discovered the wonderful works of K Balachander and made the decision to make Tamil Nadu my home and Tamil cinema my career. I shifted to Chennai in 2012 shortly after my final BA LLb exam. 

I was a nobody in a new city trying to learn a new language and struggled with this disadvantage for two years. I did small roles, extra work, voice overs etc until I got discovered in a hit serial called Kalyanam Mudhal Kadhal Varai which truly endeared me to the Tamil people. 

I have since acted in movies, ads and TV serials and given myself an honorary citizenship of Tamil Nadu. I pretty much fell in love with Tamil people, the language and the culture. 

2. Did you ever think or dream of being an actor?

I always thought I'd end up as a singer or a lawyer. Acting was never in my horizon until I discovered theatre and stage acting. The thrill of bringing to life characters in front of an audience was quite hypnotic and quite addictive. As I did more and more plays and played the role of Rama in the Kannada TV serial Seethe, I knew that acting and cinema was the only thing I could see myself doing. 

3. How can one approach their career and have the confidence and belief to become an actor?

Although acting is about embodying another character or breathing life to a fictional or fictionalized character, conversely, it's all about knowing yourself. The more you explore a different character the more you learn about yourself. We switch characters everyday in front of so many different people. 

You're different in front of friends, different in front of family and completely different in front of colleagues. The only difference is these differences in behavior are, more often than not, without our knowledge. 

In acting, we're are acutely aware of the various differences we bring into our body language to portray a character. This acute sense of self awareness gives you a very good estimate of your strengths and flaws and that's the key to confidence, I feel. You can not be confident if you're not secure and you can't be secure if you unaware of yourself. 

Observation, introspection and dispassionate self evaluation are what you need to develop the confidence and faith you need to be a successful actor.

4. If not this, what would you be doing?

I don't know.. Directing, music, teaching acting, 3D animation. Anything to do with telling stories. 

6. For a complete outsider with inroads, what advice would you like to give?

Be kind to everyone;Look at everything from the other's point of view, are you adding value to them? How can they benefit from you?; Come to terms with the fact that you need them more than they need you; develop a great work ethic; Do not burn bridges; Compromise with your expectations, never your personal standards; be realistic. 

7. What is your mantra of success?

Learn the art of obsession. 

8. Which is your favorite book and why?

The Mahabharata: I've read this book many times at different stages of my life. I've learnt different life lessons every single time I read it. I use it as a guide, a source of solace and as a means to keep my hubris and ambition in check.

- Amit Bhargav

- Interviewed By Lakshme Priyaa