Having spent almost a decade doing television, Vikrant Massey made his Bollywood debut in Lootera. He has also been part of several web series and will now be seen opposite Deepika Padukone in Meghna Gulzar’s next Chhapaak. Although he has experimented quite a bit as far as his roles are concerned, he maintains that as an actor his approach remains the same for films, TV and OTT.
But how does he manage to do that? Does the audience not change with each medium? OTT for instance caters to the younger demographics while television, especially soaps, has always enjoyed a steady viewership among women. “When I say approach, I mean to say that one has to be honest and sincere with what is given on paper. The genre may differ. The medium and target audience may differ. But you have to be absolutely sincere to what is written on paper. You can’t be on a TV set and be like — Oh yeh toh TV hai! Main rehearse nahi karunga. Whether I’m shooting for a TV episode or for a big budget film, my approach will remain the same. It’s like cooking, you know. It doesn’t really matter what you are cooking or who’s going to eat it. You just do your best,” Vikrant clarifies with utmost sincerity.
Vikrant’s journey from TV to web series and films has been spectacular. So how different was it to work with Meghna and Deepika for Chhapaak. The film is based on the life of an acid attack survivor. “Well, today I’d be refraining from talking about Chhapaak. All I can say is that the experience was incredible and the trailer will be out in the first week of December. The film will be out in about a month after that,” he says.
Not many are aware of the fact that Vikrant is a trained dancer too. While acting has always been at the forefront, dance ended up taking a backseat. He’s quick to reply, “Not anymore. I am doing a film called Ginny weds Sunny with Yami Gautam. It is my first ever song and dance film. It’s something I always wanted to explore. Born and raised in Mumbai, I have enjoyed watching the classic song and dance kind of cinema. I’m glad to have gotten this opportunity.”
We ask him about his aspirations. The kind of roles he would like to play in the future and who inspires him. “I am really looking forward to playing an antagonist. I haven’t ever played one and I think I do possess, like everyone else, a certain amount of ‘grey’ matter which I want to challenge in front of the camera. All of us have a bit of grey in us. I want to portray that,” Vikrant says with a smile. “As far as inspiration is concerned, I look up to a lot of people. I have always looked up to Aamir Khan and Irrfan Khan. Also, Anil Kapoor. I aspire to be like them,” he adds.
Vikrant has spent a really long time on television. Was there ever a fear of getting typecast? “Not really. I think we have some really incredible actors who have done television too. It’s nothing new. There have been actors who have contributed to television, films and theatre with equal passion. Be it Naseer Saab, Om Puri, Shabana Azmi or the stars of today — Shah Rukh Khan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Sushant Singh Rajput, everyone has been on television. I think it’s just a mental block. Haan, ek waqt tha jab shayad film walein bhi ye kehte the ki arey woh TV actor hai. But times have changed now. And I feel it’s only going to get better,” he explains.
Having played such diverse roles and making a mark with each one irrespective of its size, is he happy with the kind of choices he’s made. Mirzapur went on to become one of the most popular web series and was lauded for its stellar cast. Vikrant has done short films too – a genre that’s fast becoming a favourite of storytellers and viewers alike. He says, “I have been lucky in this regard. Whatever short films I have done, have been thoroughly enjoyed by the audiences.”
Apart from acting, he enjoys writing too, though he is happy with the way things have panned out for him. “Writing is a hobby. But for now, I just want to focus on my acting, at least for the next five-six years. Aage ka aage dekhenge,” he concludes.
