MUSBA HASHMI chats up TVF Cubicle fame ABHISHEK CHAUHAN, who plays Fundoo in Bahut Hua Samman, which has recently released on Disney+Hotstar, about the role, his takeaways from the sets and how acting happened

What is your role in Bahut Hua Samman?

I play Fundoo, a mechanical engineering student from Banaras Hindu University (BHU). He is good at studies. He and his friend Bony (played by Raghav Juyal) are left without a job. This is when their super senior comes in the pictures who shows them a way out of this problem, which both Bony and Fundoo tread on. This decision of them leads to an event and that leads to an aftermath and they both are left on a different path altogether.

What attracted you towards the role?

First of all, it was not that I had a choice. The role wasn’t offered to me, I had auditioned for it. Having said that, the cast was one of the reason that I was attracted towards this project. Then the director, Ashish Shukla and the writer of course. I had the fortune of working with Ashish before so I knew his approach towards a project. The treatment that he has given to this film is unique and is highly enjoyable. Both the writers are from Varanasi and are also a student of BHU, so I was sure that the script  would be authentic and have small nuances that people from the university would relate to. These were the two primary reasons. Another thing is that this is a feature film and I wanted to do something that would challenge me as an actor and this was the right choice. Also I haven’t done a lot of work yet so I want to make sure that whatever I do is different from my previous work.

Is there a lesson that you took back home from the sets?

Yes, of course. When you are working with someone like Sanjay Mishra or Ram Kapoor or Nidhi, Bhupesh and Raghav, there is so much to learn from each of them. And not only the actors, there is so much to take back home from the directors and the crew. I always tend to keep my eyes and ears open when I am on the sets. During the sunset, there were a lot of things that I learnt. The characters of Sanjay Mishra, Raghav and I are written in a way that they are together most of the time. So we three spent our time together even off-camera. We lived at an ashram for 30 days. We used to talk about a lot of things. Sanjay  Mishra used to cook every day for us. I have received a lot of life lessons too from him, some as simple as how to cook a nice mutton curry too. In a gist, the sets were more like a film school for me.

How did acting happen?

I grew up on Bollywood. Acting was something that I always looked forward to doing. There were a lot of other things that did have my interest but films like a priority. I started doing theatre when I was in college. Then I took professional training in  theatre and that’s when I realised that acting was my true calling. It was always on my cards but it took me sometime to realise that and do something about it.

Were there any apprehension before trying your hand at acting?

I didn’t have any apprehensions. Sometimes you know you are born for something but you are just not 100 per cent sure about that. I always knew that acting is where my passion lies but for the longest time I didn’t realise it. Once I started exploring more about the field and got right feedback for what and how I do it, I became more confident.

How was the experience doing TVF Cubicles?

TVF Cubicles is actually my second project, first was Undekhi but it released recently. Like I have said, I haven’t done much work but I have been fortunate to have done good work. My takeways from each and every project has been huge in terms of learning. The environment there was extremely good. I was very strict while I was working but on the sets of Cubicles, I started having fun while working. I don’t have much to complain about in all.

Do you have a checklist when it comes to roles or projects?

I don’t have a checklist but yes I do have a lot of things in my mind. Whenever I see a film or a show, I do think that I want try something like this.

Is there a change that you want to see in the industry?

Not really. I am working and I am grateful that I am getting opportunities. Currently my focus is on to do good work and not repeat anything. This is my learning phase and I am working on myself and my skills.

What are your upcoming projects?

I am shooting for something. I don’t know when it will be out but yes there’s something coming out soon.