‘Schools can’t make actors’

Actor Kiran Kumar says that acting, like fine arts, cannot be learnt

Actor Kiran Kumar may be an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), but he does not
believe in the concept of acting schools.

“No school can make you an actor, they can only guide you and help you with the basics,” Kiran said. The star is known for his powerful portrayals of villains and characters with shades of grey.

He likes to work in a comfortable environment, “If comfort was not a criterion, I would have done anything,” said Kiran.

Son of Bollywood’s well-known villain of his time Jivan, Kiran started his career with films and played negative roles. Some of his films included Bol Radha Bol, Hero Hiralal, Tezaab and Khuda Gawah. He says of all his movies, Tezaab, starring Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit, has been closest to him.

He is a modest man, who gives himself five on a scale of 10. He gives full credit to the media, who has nurtured his talent throughout his career.

“Media and actors go together. They cannot live without each other. The day the media stops writing about us, we are dead,” Kumar said.
 
Commenting on the television industry, he said it was a fast growing parallel medium to the film industry.
The seasoned actor does not believe in following a particular set of rules, and is a firm believer in instincts.
He said, “I shoot for 20-25 days in a month, and will not take up any project till one is complete.”

Ask him about his upcoming film projects, he said he is working with directors like Priyadarshan and Deepak Shivdasani in Junoon and Mr. Black, Mr. White respectively.

Kiran is open to all kind of roles.

“After a certain period, money and fame cease to be of much significance,” he said. The actor, who has quite a few television serials like Prem Kishan, Zindagi, Ghutan, Sahil, Manzil, Katha Sagar and Aur Phir Ek Din to his credit, has been offered a reality show as well.

He says he might do it if time permits.

Kiran is also planning to produce serials for Doordarshan under his production house Aashiana banner because he wants to bring back serials like Buniyaad on the small screen.