It’s really a high time for small screen actor Vishal Jethwa. He made his silver screen debut alongside none other than Rani Mukherjee. In this jaw-dropping thriller, he mesmerized audiences with his top-notch acting skills. Those you’ve seen the movie can easily appreciate his acting as the brutal criminal Sunny. For his acting, not only he was praised by the audiences but critics also appreciate him for his typical portrayal of the character. Over the chat with Expresso Magazine Vishal shares his thoughts, how he prepared for the role and all that…
Expresso : Besides the critical appreciation, what has changed for you after Mardaani 2?
Vishal : Things are getting pretty normal now. But, if you ask me about the changes, then I would say that I have become a popular face among people these days. People indeed use to know me through television, but now a different group of the audience has also come to know me due to my work. As soon as people got to know me through Mardaani 2, I no longer am an unknown face for the audience. Also, my schedules have changed a lot since I am getting a lot of calls and messages for works and endorsements. this is the beginning of my career, especially in the film industry. So, I would say that things are not the same anymore.
Expresso: You played a dark role in the movie, so how did you utilize your character?
Vishal: Initially, Gopi sir use to make me understand things regarding the character. After that, when I got the script, I went through it thoroughly and use to note down things that would help me to frame the character. Later on, Gopi sir instructed me to frame the character ‘Sunny’ on my own and he will help me in making the changes wherever necessary. He was quite flexible with the things since this was my first movie so he made sure that I do not face any kind of difficulties while shooting. I was lucky that he gave me this liberty to work on my character in my own style. I attended various workshops before playing the real Sunny in the movie, I learned about various signs and symbols since there were more than one to two characters. Also, I use to be in the costume so that it becomes easy for me to understand. Even I use to keep myself locked in a room for hours to practice my dialogues and work on my character. I use to converse with my dialogue trainer in Meerut language so that my accent seems genuine in the movie.
Expresso: Did you face any breakdown while playing the character?
Vishal: Yes, I did face a huge breakdown when I was playing the character. When I was preparing for the character, I was given a few exercises that will help me in understanding the character. So, I use to lock myself in the room and place a chair in front of me. I was instructed to put out all my aggression on it and I used to do the same. But, once things went too far and the director told me that I am getting too much involved in the character. So, I had to calm myself and when I realized that I went extreme, it literally broke me down. I was feeling that I am not prepared for the movie started questioning my skills and thought that I might mess up everything.
Expresso : After shooting what did you do to recover from ‘Sunny’ and became Vishal?
Vishal: I started working out on myself and went running for about one hour. Also, I am a big fan of Gujarati folk songs, but I had to give up on listening to ‘bhajans’ since it uses to take me away from playing the character. So, I started listening to bhajans once again. Apart from that, the character costumes that I wore for the shoot turned out to be extremely comfortable for me. So, I switched from those outfits and started wearing them, which helped me to get back to the real me. I also took many treatments for my face that helped in de-tanning since I had to get a tanned look all over. I also started practising meditation and met my friends. So, in this way, I came back to my original form.
Expresso: How was your experience working with Rani Mukherjee?
Vishal : Altogether it was quite a proud moment for me as well as for my family. I respect Rani Mam a lot and during the shoots, I always kept this thing in mind that I have to put my best into the role otherwise, things might get wrong. But, she is extremely supportive and while in the shoot she taught me a lot of things. Many times in between a few shots, I did a few mistakes, but she never got offended. She always helped and supported me so that it becomes easy for me to learn things quickly. A climax scene was there where I had to fall as per the requirement of the director, she especially instructed the art directors to design the roads in such a way so that I can do the scene comfortably.
Expresso: You are also a passionate singer so do you want to pursue the career further?
Vishal: There is no such plan for pursuing singing as my career, but as I love Gujarati folk if I ever get a chance to perform on the stage, then I would love to sing folk songs for sure.
Expresso: What would you want to be if not an actor?
Vishal: Well, I have not deeply thought about it but I would choose the Gujarati folk songs if I get the chance to work with it.
Expresso: What kind of films you would love to work with?
Vishal: I do not want to keep myself inside a box and keep zoning since this is the beginning of my career. I want to try new roles and work with different characters, but I would love to work in historical movies for sure. Earlier, I have played many historical characters so I am sure that I can efficiently play such roles. If I get a better opportunity, then I will certainly work go for it. For now, I do not want to come out of my comfort zone and do something extraordinary that is completely different and out of my kind of genre.
Expresso : Any upcoming projects in which you will be working after Mardaani 2?
Vishal: I have made discussions and meetings through which I would be able to know about any upcoming projects in which I can work. I do not want to make decisions on my own and want to talk with Aditya sir as well as the whole team of production. There are no such upcoming projects for now, but if there are any, then you will get to know.
Expresso: You have worked in various television characters as well as Mardaani 2 so which is your favourite character?
Vishal: I would say that all of the characters that I have played are my favourite. I love acting altogether since it is my hobby and this is the only field I guess, which people go crazy about. Whatever the character is, I would love to work with it. I casually joined acting, but then after exploring, it became my obsession. I was completely unaware that when my obsession became my profession.
Expresso: What is your dream role?
Vishal : There are no such dream roles as of now since I want to work with every role and character. I would certainly try my best to work with every kind of character so that my career can get an edge.
Expresso: Describe yourself in a hashtag
Vishal : I would say ‘Mama’s boy Vishal Jetwa’.
