I’m happy that I don’t have the trappings of a star: Akshay Oberoi

Akshay Oberoi knows he isn’t a popular face in the industry. But he’s happy not to be one. The actor admittedly wants to experiment with his roles. He feels the lack of an image helps him try out things that many star kids around wouldn’t even dare to. In a candid conversation, he opens up about what prompted him to take up his latest film Kaalakaandi and how he’s struggled his way this far despite having a filmi connection.

What did you think of your performance in Kaalakaandi, which has just released?

I’m usually over-critical of my performances. But I genuinely liked Kaalakaandi. I feel that it has served the purpose. I’m happy with the final product. I hope everyone likes it, too, and this becomes my first commercial film.

It’s a dark comedy, a space that hasn’t been explored much in Indian cinema. Do you think this movie will push the envelope?

I don’t think many can do it. It’s a tricky space because it’s one thing to cast a film but it also needs to be well-written. I’m really excited to see the audience’s reaction. I hope there are budding script writers who can do the same. But once you read something like this, you think how anyone can actually come up with such stuff, yet make it relatable.

In one of the scenes in the film, you have an awkward fall before making out. In real life, have you faced something embarrassing?

Nothing as embarrassing that has been shown in the film, but I fell off the bed once.

Imran Khan introduced you to director Akshat Verma...

Yes, I took the number from him. And thank God, I did. Somewhere around 2011, there was a shift in Bollywood and things started changing rapidly. I can’t be in a race with the star kids where someone is promoting them. I don’t have that kind of support. I needed to do these interesting films, hence Akshat came to my mind. He’s got a wicked sense of humour which is brilliant for the films he does.

Don’t you feel that because of the kind of projects that you have chosen, the doors of the masala genre may completely shut for you?

It’s true. But now, the scenario is slowly transforming.

Films with good stories need good actors to take them across and people have started to realise that. If I get called to do a commercial film, it would be only because of that. I’m not a guy who they can sell but they know my story will get made a certain way. That will eventually add up to the popularity of actors who are like me.

But isn’t the box office important to you?

Yes, it is. I want Kaalakaandi to work well. Because for me to do the kind of work that I want to do, if these films work commercially, then a Gurgaon or a Bomberiya will get a larger audience. I’ve got my validation for my work as an actor. Now, I want to get that validation from my audience at the ticket windows as well.

Would you ever approach a director or a producer to give you a film?

Even after making my debut with a Sooraj Barjatya film, I would send tons of texts to directors to ask if there was a suitable role for me. I would message Karan (Johar), Kabir (Khan) who at least met me and spoke to me. Dibakar (Banerjee) and Aanand (L Rai) sir also responded once. There were few who would not even respond. Once I got a film, I would stop. But after it was shot, I would start again.

That, despite being Vivek Oberoi’s cousin?

No, I don’t think they knew it back then. They might know it now. They always seemed surprised.

So many times people use shortcuts to get a film. Have you ever thought of taking one in desperation?

No. I’m so engrossed with my acting that something like that would kill me from within. At the end of the day, I want to be respected as an actor. Sometimes, you need to figure out what you can live with and what you can’t. I want people to think that I was really good at what I did.

But everyone dreams of the biggest things...

(Cuts in) I wanted to be Shah Rukh Khan! But my priorities shifted after my first film. Two years of growth with no work, I was back to theatre where Makarand Deshpande trained me. I thought I’d never get what I wanted. Then, I did a bit of rethinking and realised that I’d rather be someone like Irrfan Khan because I want to be respected that way. So, I started chasing roles that nobody wanted to do. I kept chasing Bejoy (Nambiar) and thank God, he answered that call. It led to Pizza and a lot of doors opened up after that.

If you have to go nude on screen, due to the demand of the script, would you be open to the idea?

I would be absolutely comfortable doing that. I want people to think that I’m absolutely fearless when it comes to my work. What’s exciting for me is that I’ve no image because my work hasn’t been that popular or commercial enough to give me one. You might say I look a certain way but I’ve done varied roles. Thankfully, I don’t have the trappings of a star. Also, if you look at the movies that I’ve done, there has always been a sex scene (smiles).

How does your wife react to such scenes?

In real life, I am very scared (laughs). But that’s why I love the camera. I can do anything in front of it. My wife has been cool and supportive. It isn’t easy for her. In fact, it bothers me more than her. She knows that I love this job so much that I’m trying to do it well. To be true to my work, I’ve to do the things that are written on the page.