When we met Barun Sobti for an interview for his upcoming movie Main Aur Mr Riight, the actor was busy doing a telephonic interview. He gestured to a nearby chair asking us to take a seat while he continued firing his answers into the cell phone. Dressed in white tees and denims, Barun looked strikingly handsome even in his slightly disheveled hair and two day old stubble. We could trace hints of exhaustion in his eyes for we were told that he had just gone through the rigmarole of completing more than a dozen of interviews in rapid succession. But that didn't dim his enthusiasm one bit and as soon as he was done speaking on his phone, the TV heartthrob welcomed us with a warm handshake and almost immediately said, ' Shoot.'
Main Aur Mr Riight is finally releasing after long. How are you feeling at the moment?
Well, truth be told, I am quite anxious and want to see how it does. I am sure it will do well.
Tell us about your character in the film?
I play Sukhi, a wannabe actor cum model. He is this loud, outspoken Punjabi boy from Delhi, someone who is not very sophisticated or suave. He is pretty much a misfit in a plush casting director's (played by Shenaz) office.
You played the sophisticated Arnav in Iss Pyaar Ko Main Kya Naam Doon. Do you think people will accept you in this rustic film avatar?
I have no idea if people will accept me or not but I am doing something that my gut feeling says is right. My instinct doesn't allow me to hold on to one strength that I have and keep making money out of it all my life. I want to explore and do different things and I will keep doing it.
You were a television heartthrob. Why didn't you debut with a big banner film?
I chose from the options I had and I am pretty happy about it. Finally everything is driven on the strength of your film's content. If you do a big banner film, you would be able to breakthrough but the only way you will sustain is if you have the ability. So I didn't want to lie to myself. It's just that when I read the script, I didn't think twice that I would need anything else to make it work. I was confident about myself and took it.
As an actor, what would you say are your strong points?
I am able to understand the psychology of an actor, the script and other characters around me. I think that is my advantage and that is why people think I am easy to shoot because I know when I am required to perform. There is no need to perform in every frame just to impress.
A lot of star sons are making their debut. How do you view the competition around you?
I seriously think there is a lot of space for everyone. Our industry is operating like the American industry right now. There are so many actors, directors and producers who are making films one after another. They are also recovering their money and making profits. So I think there is enough scope for everyone.
No actor in recent times except Sushant Singh Rajput has been able to make a successful transition from television to films. What do you think could be the problem?
(Attains a serious look)There is no transition to make from television to films. What makes you think that someone who is doing films will never do television again in his life? There is no transition and the good thing is that there is no bifurcation right now in both these industries. An actor is not a TV actor or a film actor today. An actor is just an actor. People who have done films all their lives are doing TV now and vice-versa. People are willing to cast TV actors. Yes, cinema has a bigger influence because when you visit theaters the screens are bigger, sound system is better which influence you more. So cinema is more influential and hence people think it is more superior. But as far as I see it, there is no transition for an actor to make.
What do you have to say about Sushant?
He is a very good actor.
You have not done anything significant on television since you started doing films yet your fan base has never decreased. Why do you think fans have remained associated to you despite your absence from TV?
I thought I will not tamper with myself and I will not try to put up a face or be vain. I will always be who I am and thankfully people like me like that way. Always be the way you are all your life.
Why did you join Twitter?
People forced me to join twitter. I am socially incapable but you have to adapt (smiles).
Madhum Hua, a fan of yours wants to know how you felt when you walked the ramp where you were the center of attraction?
Thank you for your question. To be honest, I hate volume. So when people yell, I get nervous. I had a kid walking with me that day. So I had to take care of her and hence had to be stable.
Pooja Oberoi wants to know if you have quit television completely and what kind of film projects would you take up and which Bollywood actress would you like to share screen space with?
Thank you for your question, Pooja. I can't really foresee and tell you what kind of films I will be doing and with whom. I have not quit television. Anything good that comes up anywhere except theaters, I am open to doing.
You were titled the 3rd Sexiest Asian Man by UK magazine Eastern Eye in 2013. What's your take on the same?
(Blushes and stammers) Okay let me be honest. When this happened, my wife was laughing at me.
Why? She doesn't think you are sexy?
Well, she doesn't think these things are to be tagged. She would make fun of me and say, 'Sexy haaan..' That's how such things are considered in my household. Even I don't take such tags seriously.
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