"I asked the cab driver to take a U-turn, and that's how I left my dream of NIFT behind to chase my destiny in acting."
1. Jinal, what sparked your passion for acting and led you to pursue it professionally?
This is a very interesting question and it’s quite a story. I am pretty sure that like every child; I too dreamt of being an actor multiple times. But being from a middle class family and with no idea about the entertainment industry, it never seemed to be a practical option. I had many career goals growing up and while the primary goals kept changing with age, the inner child in me always wanted to be an actor.
I did a photoshoot for a friend and it was quickly followed up with a short skit for another friend for their respective college projects. This is the first time I realised that I do look more than decent on camera. While this fuelled the spark; I was sure that it was an extremely difficult road and ultimately decided that it would not be a feasible option to pursue this career.
I took up a job to save money for an advanced course in Fashion Designing and cleared the entrance exam for one of the country’s most prestigious institutes in the field, NIFT. As luck would have it, I saw an instagram post by Actor Prepares announcing auditions for an upcoming batch. I decided to visit and give the audition. At the end I was very happy with my performance but I did not get any reply from them. All they said was, “Thank you. This will be reviewed and we will let you know. You can leave now.”
I decided that I might have not been good enough and I was content that I gave it a genuine try but it was not to be. The next day I was on my way to Kharghar to pay the course fee at NIFT when I got a call from Actor Prepares stating that I was selected and I could finish the enrolment process.
A lot of things fell in place at the right moment. I had the exact amount needed for the enrolment and this was a dream career. I asked the cab driver to take a U-Turn and ended up being an actor.
2. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced early in your career?
If you choose to do anything that is far beyond your reach, you anticipate hardships and try to prepare well in advance. But this career choice comes with a lot of judgements and opinions and I would be lying if I said that I was anywhere close to being prepared for what was in store. It was extremely difficult to convince my family about my choice. The fact that I had already spent all my savings in paying for the fees didn’t help either. But family always comes around and I’m glad that they did by the time I finished my Diploma in Acting at Actor Prepares.
The road from there was a downhill slope with no end in sight. I had no idea how to seek acting jobs or get a portfolio done or how to distinguish between genuine artists and con men. I had my fair share of bad experiences interacting with people who’d make big claims and wanted weird favours in return. I always knew that this was a recipe for disaster and walked out of numerous meetings / disconnected calls abruptly and even fought with a few who would not stop trying after being turned down.
Finding the right people with like minded interests was difficult but once that happened, one door led to another and I’ve been blessed to have made some really good friends along the way. It does appear like a good set of memories today but back then, any moment could have been the breaking point. I feel I was fortunate to live through those without giving up.
3. How did your training at Actor Prepares shape your approach to acting?
Actor Prepares helped me understand myself and build a foundation. I personally believe that worked well for me and I am extremely thankful to the institute for making me pursue a dream that I always believed was unattainable. For their importance in shaping up my approach towards acting, I think they were the first ones to teach me that this art is extremely technical and it was extremely important to be emotionally fluid in a technically defined and often limited
environment.
I still go back to my notes from time to time and still incorporate various activities and exercises that were taught to me during the course.
4. How do you prepare for such diverse roles, and do you have a favorite medium?
Honestly, I find this question to be a little odd. Let me explain, At this stage in my career, I am not someone who has the liberty to choose my favourite projects or work with a specific actor, director or producer. The best I can do is respect people who show interest in working with me and get an insight into their idea of the project. At times, I end up declining an offer if I do not see myself as an ideal fit for the character or if the project focuses on certain elements that do
not align with my career goals.
For the preferred medium, I believe that reaching the masses is important. The fact of the business is that the larger the medium gets, the smaller its target audience in today’s world. While the ultimate goal is to be on the big screen, I am equally motivated for a good
performance even when it is watched on a tv set or a mobile phone.
5. Who are some of the actors or filmmakers that have inspired you throughout your career, and
why?
How do I start ? I’ve taken inspiration from everyone I’ve encountered and everything I’ve witnessed. I believe that every interaction is a learning for an actor. I’ve been guilty of watching someone in extreme pain in a hospital in an ER and thinking if I could ever recreate this for a scene. I instantly hated myself but also realised that it is just an occupational hazard.
To name a few actors and directors who’ve personally inspired me to be better; I can mention some really talented and creative directors and artists whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with in the course of my career. Director Vivek Sharma worked with me for a book and a song and every conversation with him was a masterclass about personal and professional conduct, traits of a good actor and the importance of dedication.
On the sets of ’Tu Zakhm Hai’, I saw Gashmeer Mahajani being an absolute gentleman and an extremely talented performer. I personally learned more about the craft and the technicalities in our various discussions involving Parinitaa Seth, Sachin Verma, Amit Behl and Aparna Kumar.
The daily debrief sessions with Nehal Chudasama, Saurabh Mann and Udhavv Vij were filled with joy but also made us better everyday. Our director Aniruddha Rajderkar and creative director Arjya Patnaik treated me like a baby learning it’s first words or taking the first steps. This was one of the best on-job learning experiences for me.
I’ve worked with some immensely talented directors who’ve made me a better Artist and a better human being. I would like to thank Mr. Ram Madhvani, Ajay Veermal, Rahhat Kazmi, Shoib Nikash Shah, Ashish Deo, Noel Smithh, Chirag Arora for their immaculate execution in sculpting
various characters portrayed by me on-screen.
6. What advice would you give to aspiring actors without industry connections?
I believe the key is in not heeding to too much advice, being honest and to not let go. I ended up building connections this way and hope anyone reading this does the same and more.
7. Can you tell us about any upcoming projects you’re excited about and what audiences can
look forward to seeing from you next?
I finished filming for two projects; one is a feature film while the other is a finite web show. Both the projects are pretty diverse and were challenging in terms of portrayal. I shall soon be able to divulge more information as the projects reach closer to their respective release dates.
However, I can say that people would love to see me in an interesting love triangle and also as a villager in the midst of chaos.
8. If you could star in a remake of any classic film, which one would it be and why?
If there is a remake to any classic film as a tribute or a continuation without disrespecting the original, I am available and ready. Any director / producer reading this can reach out to make it happen.
Bio: Jinal Joshi, born on July 7, 1997, in Mumbai, India, is an Indian actress, model, and social media influencer. She completed her Bachelor's in Mass Media from the University of Mumbai and honed her acting skills at Anupam Kher's Acting School.
Jinal has appeared in various web films, OTT shows, music videos, short films, TV commercials, and skits. Notable works include feature films titled ‘Chanchal’ and ‘Pyaar Ishq aur Possession’
the web series "Tu Zakhm Hai" on MX Player, the short film "Mutually" on Disney+ Hotstar, and the music video "Satrangi Rani." She has also featured in advertisements, such as the Airtel Safe Pay campaign.
As a social media influencer, Jinal boasts over 5 million followers across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, MOJ, Snapchat, and YouTube. Her Instagram account, @jinal.j.j, has garnered more than 1 million followers, where she shares modeling shots and engages with her audience.
Jinal's dedication to her craft and her growing popularity in the entertainment industry have established her as a prominent figure among Indian actresses and influencers.
Interviewed by: Shantanu Singh
Edited by: Shantanu Singh
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