New Kids On The Block

If you think all that it takes to step into the tinsel town of Bollywood are star parents, then you read them wrong. The young and dynamic duo – Namashi Chakraborty and Amrin Qureshi are geared up to carry on the legacy of Mithun Chakraborty and Sajid Qureshi with their deep-rooted passion and love for Indian cinema. With their debut venture, Bad Boy, a romantic comedy directed by the veteran filmmaker Raj Kumar Santoshi, slated for a January 2020 theatrical release, Namashi and Amrin want to sink in the feeling and enjoy every moment. They get candid about their roles, learning graphs, on facing comparisons, and more, in an exclusive interview. Edited excerpts…

Rapid Fire

If not an actor, you would have been?

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NC: I would still try to be an actor

AQ: I would have been a businesswoman

Your favourite fashion designer?

Sabyasachi Mukherjee; both

If you could trade your wardrobe with a celebrity, who will it be?

NC: Ranveer Singh

AQ: Kendall Jenner for her boho chic

Your favourite holiday destination?

NC: Madh Island

AQ: Bali

A historic character you would love to play on screen?

NC: Ashoka

AQ: Mastani

Who is your favourite actor?

NC: My father, Mithun chakraborty is my all time favourite

AQ: Shahrukh Khan and Salman

Songs on your playlist?

NC: I love peppy Bollywood music so it has to be songs from Govinda and my father’s films

AQ: I have been hooked to Tip tip barsa pani which could be borderline annoying for Namashi (laughs).

Your fitness mantra?

NC: Don’t drink and be regular at gym

AQ: Eat ghar ka khana (home cooked meals) and workout regularly

Your favourite cheat meal?

NC: Pizza

AQ: Rice and the Andhra dish tomato pappu (tomato dal)

Best thing about being an actor?

NC: The world of cinema gives you the liberty to be someone else on the screen

AQ: Getting to play interesting characters

Most annoying thing about being an actor?

NC: The fact that acting is subjective and everyone might not always end up liking your work

AQ: Working in close proximity of people all the time. For instance, getting hair and makeup done

Diwali wishes for our readers?

NC: Save your money and watch Bad Boy in January 2020

AQ: Be sensitive towards the animals and don’t burst crackers

Congratulations on your debut film, Bad Boy. How are you keeping it together at this moment of major adrenalin?

NC: I am just so thankful and grateful to have been given this opportunity. Working with Sajid Bhai and Rajkumar Santoshi Sir, I mean it can’t get better than this especially for debutante.

AQ: Honestly, I myself don’t know how I am keeping up with this. It feels surreal at times. This is our dream and we have given our best and cannot wait for everyone to see our hard work.

Tell us something about the film and your characters. How did you decide upon ‘romantic comedy’ as your debut genre?

NC: As a debutante, I didn’t have the luxury to decide. I was chosen so I jumped on it. But to my luck, the genre is romantic comedy which happens to be my comfort zone. So, Bad Boy is basically a love story of this roadside Romeo who falls in love with a girl who comes from a very authoritative family, and how their romance creates a lot of hilarious moments in their life and families.

AQ: I am not allowed to reveal much about the film or the character, but all I can say is that I am emotionally attached to ‘her’. She holds a special place in my heart that will last. It is crazy how I am similar with the character I play in so many ways. I can guarantee that the audience will relate to ‘her’ and connect with ‘her’ authenticity.

It’s a dream come true to work under the veteran director, Rajkumar Santoshi. How was the vibe on the sets? Was it intimidating at any point?

NC: Firstly, it is a dream come true and I don’t mean that as an exaggeration. I have grown up on his films; Damini, Ghatak, Ghayal, Andaz Apna Apna, Barsat, I have seen all of his films right from Ajab Prem ki Gajab Kahani to Phata Poster Nikla Hero. I couldn’t even believe the fact that he actually agreed to make a film with me that to my debut. The vibe on the set was intense as he is such a demanding director and a perfectionist. So, it took me a while to get into the groove, but once I did, it was the most fulfilling experience.

AQ: Working with Rajkumar Santoshi Sir makes me feel like I have already gained the experience of four more movies for he is such a giving person. He is a creative genius with vast knowledge. There was never a dull moment with him around. Sir always treated us like his kids with so much care and affection. Also, at the same time, his professionalism didn’t let us get distracted from the real purpose.

How did you prepare yourself for the role?

NC: We had workshops, but when you work with Raj Kumar Santoshi, no matter how you prep for your role it holds no good on the set. He always strives for perfection and tends to change things. You have to be there at the moment and improvise under his guidance. So, for 61 days I was unprepared and still could pull it off under his direction. He is an actor’s director and I must admit in this interview to copying him a lot during the shoot.

AQ: So, we had to attend workshops before shooting for the film. But honestly, I have to give all the credit to Rajkumar Santoshi Sir for preparing us for the role. Whatever I have learnt about acting was all on the set of Bad Boy.

Coming from Bollywood families, being the son of actor Mithun Chakraborty and daughter of producer Sajid Qureshi, was acting an obvious career choice or pure passion?

NC: Acting has been the only thing I have ever wanted to do in my life. Being the son of a famous actor surely drew me more into films as I was always surrounded by it. It was the only career choice. I never had a plan B. I am fortunate to be living my dream.

AQ: For me, acting was never an obvious career choice, it is just something that happened to me naturally, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world. Now, it is pursuing pure passion.

Being related to such stalwarts of the industry may have two sides to it, constant comparisons and an image to live up to, at one hand and have the best mentors you could have ever asked for, on the other. How do you handle the pressure and make the most of the situation?

NC: I am blessed to be born to extremely talented famous people. Talking of comparisons, it comes as a part and parcel. Being the son and a part of the same profession now, comparisons are inevitable. I don’t put too much thought for it may force me to succumb to the pressure. I am just blessed to be surrounded by the talents that I have back at home. I have given my best and now it is up to the people how they perceive me. I am going to enjoy every moment.

AQ: Well, I didn’t really put many thoughts into comparison and image to live up to. It’s just the expectation that I have from myself that I need to fulfill. I just went with the flow with whatever was coming my way and gave it my best shot. And, that is how I make the most of the situation.

Namashi, do you think being typecast in Bollywood pertains being a master of all trades-fitness, pro-dancing skills, versatility as an actor and stepping out of your comfort zone, are part and parcel of the industry?

Every industry or profession has its highs and lows or pros and cons. I am just a film old and for Bad Boy, I was required to act. So, I would say the first and primary expectation is met. Let’s see what is in store next, but I am ready for it.

Amrin, fashion is an indispensable aspect of showbiz. How would you like to describe your style? Who are your favourite designers?

My fashion style is very simple and chic at the same time. I love Sabyasachi and Donatella Versace for their eclectic and classy designs.

Do you think diet and cheat meal goes hand in hand? What is your take on both?

NC: I am extremely health-conscious and don’t cheat much. I do believe you should have your cheat meals, but don’t go overboard. Body type, height, and a lot of other factors need to be taken into consideration to understand what works for you. Clean eating is the way to go.

AQ: I don’t really believe in diets. You are hungry all the time and then you end up putting on weight, it’s a vicious cycle. I believe in eating ghar ka khana as that’s what we have been brought up eating dal, sabzi, roti, chawal. So, I wouldn’t recommend anyone to ditch that. And, you deserve to have a cheat meal once in a week.

Please tell us about your fitness regime? Any tip you would like to share with our readers?

NC: I go to the gym every day and work out for two hours. I try to eat as healthy as possible. I was an obese teenager weighing 200 lbs. I lost all that weight to be an actor. Be disciplined and follow a regime. Be focused and achieve your goals in a natural way.

AQ: I like to keep it very simple so my fitness regime includes working out really hard in the gym. I love the adrenalin rush.

How was your experience shooting for L’Officiel India?

NC: It was an incredible experience. I felt stylish the moment I walked in. Shooting with Dabboo Ratnani was a dream, he is such a brilliant photographer and my co-actor Amrin, of course. It was fun to work with the entire team of L’Officiel India who helped us put together a wonderful experience.

AQ: Shooting for L’Officiel magazine was magical and surreal. I am so grateful, blessed and excited to be on the cover of the October Issue of the magazine.

Tell us about your upcoming projects?

NC: I have my film Bad Boy releasing in January 2020, so watch out.

AQ: For my upcoming projects, it’s a secret. I guess you will have to wait and watch.