Life Of Pi-fame Suraj Sharma talks about his experience of working for the film Happy Death Day 2U and why its concept intrigued him. By Team Viva
How did you land up in Hollywood? Was that always on the agenda?
I was in the USA and did a random audition for the film Life Of Pi and that took me on a track. Later, I studied film and now I am just trying to work here in the US. Acting was never on the agenda. I feel that it’s been on the agenda for the past eight to nine years. When I was a kid nobody used to think that being an actor is a real thing one could pursue. So I never thought I wanted to act and go ahead in this field. Luckily, life gave me this chance and I realised that I really enjoy this.
Your first film Life of Pi became a huge success? What was your reaction?
In terms of expectations, I didn’t know anything. I didn’t think of expectations or what this is supposed to be. They put me in this environment, and I believed it so much. They gave me so much guidance that I didn’t think about the outcome. It was just too great to be there and be doing the things I was doing. Afterwards, I knew that this film is going to achieve something and it did! Then I realised that I have been given this chance... so I started acting.
You have worked in Hollywood as well as Bollywood, how is the work culture different?
If we talk about similarity, they are alike in the sense that if they need to get something done then they get it done no matter what. They try to tell stories which represent a life that people wish to believe. Hollywood as well as Bollywood have begun to rise because of all the new ways to watch content. New voices are coming to the forefront, new visions are being proposed and it is happening in India as much as it is happening in the US. It is really exciting to see. It says that something is changing. It is great to watch this change happening. I would also say that they are different too. In the US, things are far more scheduled, chances of things going wrong are far less but in India, things are more ‘go with the flow’ kind.
Are you doing the kind of roles you want to do? If not, then what kind of work are you looking for?
I think I am very lucky with what I am trying to do. Of course, I want to do much more. I have certain things in my mind that I need to get up on my list such as dark comedy. However, I feel that gradually, I am getting closer to the things I really desire. I have also started writing scripts myself so that I can make something good. It’s something that I always wanted to do. I feel super lucky that I get what I want but I wish to achieve more in life. I need to get better as an actor, learn more about this industry and touch new heights.
You mentioned dark comedy as a benchmark. Films that you really love in that space?
I do have a couple... The thing is that they aren’t really popular films. There’s this film called Lobster by Yorgos Lanthimos, In Bruges and Death at a Funeral. Bheja Fry is a good one too.
Your films have received a lot of critical acclaim. Do you think box office hit is more important than that?
Well, it is neither. For me, it is my time spent working with the people and the experience that I gain. That’s the most important thing to me. From my first film onwards till now, I feel really blessed to have worked with some amazing bunch of people. Not only as professionals but as individuals. So it’ll always be about the people with whom I am being creative with.
Who do you look up to for inspiration in Bollywood or Hollywood?
In Bollywood, I’d say Adil Hussain, Naseeruddin Shah and Manoj Bajpayee. I feel they can do so many different unimaginable type of roles. Fortunately, I got to work with two of them — Adil Sir and Naseer Sir. In the US, it would be Al Pacino or Robert Ni Ro. I look up to people who have weight in their words as they have the power to both destroy and heal.
You mentioned that you have worked with Adil Hussain and Naseeruddin Shah. Is there something you took away from them?
Adil sir is like my mentor. I can’t even explain how many things I have learnt from him. Me, my brother and him would go to Hampi, wake up around 5 am and do some slow-motion acting workshops. Those experiences taught me a lot about how to be aware, how to live in the present and how to capture the moment. From Naseer sir (Naseeruddin Shah), I have definitely learnt how to stay true to the character. No one does a scene like he does. He has this habit of doing everything with perfection. I admire that. The weight of his performance is just commendable. I was in a scene with him, I just kept on listening to him because the way he uses his voice is beyond comparison.
What made you say yes to the film Happy Death Day 2U? How was that experience?
The experience was lovely. It was an amazing place to be in. The people were fantastic to work with. What made me interested was the concept of film, which was — would you change something if you were to live the same day over and over again? What can you learn from it? And how do you make yourself better at it? What can you take from what you have done in the past? That idea really inspired me. Of course, I have watched the first part. The film was really endearing. I spoke to the director Chris Landon and did the film.
(The film premieres on November 22 at 9 pm on Sony PIX.)
