It’s Sara Ali Khan’s time to shine: Sushant Singh Rajput

Ever since Kedarnath was announced, it has been in the news for more reasons than one. Apart from the fact that it marks Sara Ali Khan’s debut, the film has had a tough journey what with it being embroiled in litigation over monetary issues, another producer taking over and the release date being juggled. But Sushant Singh Rajput, who plays the male lead, is unperturbed. When I meet him, he looks fresh and relaxed. Though he has already done a few interviews, there is no sign of fatigue or boredom. On the contrary, he answers every question animatedly. Here, the actor talks about his outing as a pithoo (porter, who carries pilgrims on his back), getting caught in the #MeToo Movement and why his co-star, Sara, deserves the spotlight...

How challenging was it for you to play a pithoo?

For me, as an actor specifically, it was not a challenge at all. When I perform in a film or on stage, if I connect with it, the last thing I think is, is it challenging? Of course, here the character had to lift someone and walk on a 45-60 degree steep plain. That, too, at a place where oxygen is less. You not only carry weight, but also say the dialogues. When it would rain, it would become slippery. Pithoos are generally of two kinds, one holding the horse and the other with the basket-seat that I am carrying. But in most of the scenes I have both, which is rare. Now, I think, it is not that difficult.

What kind of prep did you have to do for it?

I did two-three things before the shoot began. First, I sent my team, my friends to Kedarnath because I was shooting for something else. They stayed there for a week and talked to the pithoos. 

They befriended them, walked with them up and down the hill, interviewed them and documented the entire thing. When they came back and I saw the videos, I created Mansoor’s (his character) room in my house in Mumbai. That’s what I do with all the characters I play in films. It’s a fun thing, nothing to be taken seriously. So in Mansoor’s room I had a gas cylinder, a stove, a khatiya and ghaas-phus. After that, I went to Kedarnath and interacted with the pithoos. I wanted to know their mindset, whatever I could gather from talking to them in broad strokes. Then there was the script, which was detailed enough, and the director who had caught the nuances. I incorporated all that into the character. There were a few things here and there that I had to do and develop some skills which wasn’t difficult given the time I had. I was paying attention to the nuances, some of which I understood but could not feel and wanted to feel them. That was the challenge and I think that part goes beyond films. As a group, we don’t tend to 
acknowledge nuances.

The film has grabbed attention as Sara Ali Khan’s launch vehicle. Did you feel a little left out?

Not at all. I can justify why I’m not getting affected. First, I know where it (the curiosity) is coming from, and why people are interested. I understand. I also understand that no matter what kind of reputation you have before you step in films, over a period of time it’s not so important. Your talent will speak. Second, will there be such curiosity for somebody who is not a starkid? Absolutely not. But the great thing about Sara is — what she was when I met her for the first time and all the hard work she did for the things she performed in the film before she started it — she is so sharp — she deserves that buzz and curiosity. Is it more than what it should be? Yes, but as I said, she deserves it. You will know when you watch the film. That’s my opinion, I could be wrong, but mostly I am right (smiles). Five years ago, I made my debut. I have done five-six films so far, but a debut film feels good, right? It is a very special thing. It is her time to shine, I have no problems at all.

The film sees you reuniting with director Abhishek Kapoor after a fallout...

There was no fallout. The only thing is such negative stories have a virality. They are remembered. People like to talk about that. If you google, that will pop up first. Google is a popular marker but not the right marker. Also, if there is a negative story and I’m not asked, I don’t deny it. People think if he is not denying, it is true. So, let me assure you, there was no fallout. Yes, we were working on Fitoor together and everything was right. And then suddenly there were so many things to manage, technical, dates and other things. I couldn’t manage the circumstances, something came up. He also couldn’t manage it, but at that point only, we decided to collaborate again.

Kedarnath also got embroiled in controversy and shooting was stalled..

That didn’t matter because those chunk of dates, (when it was stalled) I was shooting for some other film. It was not as a consequence of what had happened to Kedarnath, but it was already planned that way. So, even if the film’s shooting would have been underway I would be busy with the other movie. In any case, whatever happened, good or bad, the film has turned out exactly what we wished it to be.

Recently, you got caught in the #MeToo movement when there were reports of Sanjana Sanghi accusing you of misbehaviour...

(Cuts in) She didn’t accuse, it’s an assumption and that’s the problem — it’s not a fact. Five per cent stories said that the actress accused me, but you remember that. As I said that’s what happens with negative stories. However, the first time she spoke, she told the truth (denying any misbehaviour). If you ask me about the #MeToo movement, it’s a good thing, it’s important and should absolutely happen. There were casualties and I was one of them, which is unfortunate. Casualty in terms of being misunderstood. Was it a rumour? Yes. But the more we talk about it, the more I get harmed, so we should not (smiles).