A star arrives in style

``Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai'' is a hit and its hero Tusshar is on cloud nine. GIRIJA RAJENDRAN talks to the actor whose success has surprised many.

HE MIGHT lack the spectacular good looks and the rippling muscles of Hrithik Roshan. But like Hrithik, Tusshar (the star-son of Jeetendra) has gained spot entry into the charmed circle of winners with his very first movie. ``Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai'' is doing admirably well, so much so that its makers have felt encouraged to add one song and some extra catchy scenes to the film - a sure sign of instant stardom for the movie's hero. Thus the ``phoren-returned'' Tusshar has arrived in style,though the critical community lambasted the film. Does Tusshar embody any of the Hrithik charisma in his star persona? Early days yet, but success is its own reward. As a totally new face (like Hrithik in ``Kaho Naa Pyar Hai''), Tusshar comes to the silver screen with the proverbial luck of Jeetendra.

How is it that, from faraway Michigan, you still perceived populist cinema as the easiest way to make it?

Fact is I wasn't enjoying doing my BMA in Michigan. So, though I did quite well, academically speaking, somehow I just didn't feel motivated enough to go on to do my MBA in the U.S. I told my father that I wanted to return to India and work in movies like him. Luckily he saw my point of view after a while, and was refreshingly supportive. For starters, I did put in a stint with David Dhawan as a directorial assistant. But it was acting that really fascinated me.

So when the offer to get going, as a hero came with ``Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai'', everything fell in place. At my father's instance, I went through proper acting training - before I ventured to face the camera - in the custody of Roshan Taneja and Mahinder Verma, and also learnt dancing from Nimish Bhatt.

Yet what I picked up by way of practical training under director Satish Kaushik on the sets of ``Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai'' is what I value most. It was Satish Kaushik who caringly put me through my acting paces and to him goes the credit for whatever I have accomplished in my maiden effort. This seasoned director put me at ease straightway by asking me to be my natural self instead of ending up overdoing things.

That was welcome, if only because like Karan, the character I play in ``Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai'', I am shy by nature and don't open up before people who aren't close to me. But the strained relationship bit between Karan and his father, isn't true in my relationship with my dad. We vibe very well and I know I can communicate with dad at all times. My family is so thrilled, following my success, first time out and so is my dad. In fact,I felt moved when dad told me that I had achieved, with my first film, what he could only after three or four years.

Your first film may be a big hit but critics have panned you for your looks. Does that hurt?

For my part, I prefer to look at how almost all of them have praised my work as a first-timer. As for the looks bit, I'm not too worried, because Satish Kaushik, as director, wanted me to be at one with the character of Karan, a performer who should be totally `one among the crowd' - an everyday guy coming across as one who makes the man in the street feel that he, too, could conceivably achieve what this hero does on the screen.

I have followed my director's instructions to the hilt. Instant audience acceptance of my character, is proof that we got it right. The point I seek to drive home is that my screen personality, as Karan, was shaped strictly according to the needs of the script. Now so many viewers tell me that I should be concentrating on toning up my body, adding more muscle to my screen personality. My frail build, they well-meaningly point out, could be a drawback in future films. I react positively to such healthy tips. I've already started workouts at the gym.

Have you been a keen observer of your father Jeetendra's hit films? How far have you been influenced by them?

Yes. I have watched most of dad's films. His staying power was remarkable in this fiercely competitive field - he worked on his own terms for long, with such sustained success. I have quite a few favourites among his movies - ``Geet Gaaya Pathharon Ne'', ``Khudgarz'' and ``Rang'' among them. Each one of his films with Mehmood I simply love - the two made such an energetic and entertaining team whenever they came together. I also value the thinking movies he did with Gulzar, like ``Parichay'', ``Khushboo'' and ``Kinaraa'', portrayals that brought a different dimension, altogether, to dad's screen repertoire.

But even Jeetendra, for all his long innings, didn't get a break right away. In this light, what do you think is the reason for your turning up trumps, on the spot, with ``Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai''?

I would say it's a combination of so many things. Producer Vashu Bhagnani has packaged and marketed the film most effectively. Quite a few have made pointed mention of the finesse with which director Satish Kaushik has handled me as a rank newcomer. Some others are of the opinion that Anu Malik's music, in the film, is a scoring point for me too. I've also heard that the unusual theme of an `unattainable' sophisticated girl (Kareena) falling in love with the ordinary hero (that's me) is something that has the hoi-polloi audience empathising with the character I play.

This `commoner' getting his glam girl is interpreted as lending ``Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai'' that vital repeat value. My co-stars, Kareena Kapoor and Rinke Khanna, provide such wonderful support. Plus, of course, there is Amrish Puri to lend the ballast to the theme. All this and God's grace have, I'd say, helped turn ``Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai'' into a dream start for me.

Are you as good at dancing as your father, who acquired the tag of `Jumping Jack' Jeetendra?

Well, I have been told that I dance quite well. In fact, I'm thankful to choreographer Ahmed Khan for thinking up steps that suit my personality in the film. Yes, like my dad, I do enjoy dancing. But what came as a revelation was that I'm pretty sharp in the art of dubbing too - something crucial for a debutant to prove himself on the mainstream screen. I'm quite at ease dubbing for my scenes, I even enjoy this testing segment of film-making. It's, I say, a blessing to count, for there's no end to the improvement that could be brought to even a none-too-well done scene, during the dubbing stage.

Summing up, the viewing public seems to have taken to me in toto - on the emotional front and in the dance, drama, comedy, even fighting scenes. No, I'm not reading too much into a one-time success, just expressing my sense of gratitude for the opportunity. When your maiden movie turns out to be a hit,it instils in you a rare sense of confidence. This confidence must not, however, lapse into over-confidence - I have the screen- family background to see that it doesn't happen.

Do you feel you've been lucky to come into the field now, when Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan have sort of paved the way for you?

This timing is God's gift! As you validly point out, Hrithik and Abhishek have already made newcomers acceptable. I feel each one of us made the right kind of debut in the right genre of film. I feel happy indeed to note that the public has discovered, in me, a `homespun' hero. No matter how hard you try, the viewing public has to warm up to you, so I say I've been mighty lucky.

Will there be a thanksgiving trip to Tirupati, as is the practice in your family?

You bet there will be! We are all firm believers in Balaji of Tirupati - I went on foot to this shrine of shrines before the release of ``Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai''. A follow-up trip is but natural.

Has there been a rush of offers, now that you have demonstrated that you sell as a star?

I'm doing a film with Sanjay Chhel opposite Esha Deol titled ``Kya Dil Ne Kaha''. Plus my sister, Ekta Kapoor, the seasoned TV person that she is, is working on a big-screen project for me, with two heroines. Though there has been no dearth of offers, I'm particular, at this sensitive stage in my career, about choosing the right films and viable projects, so I'm proceeding slowly.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Entertainment
Previous : Selfless and duty-bound
Next     : As dainty as the butterfly