I am glad that there is no pattern to my career: Arfi Lamba

How did you land the grey-shaded role in Santosh Sivan's short film, Dial K For Kill?

My role in Dial K For Kill is of a contract killer who undergoes a transition after meeting a beautiful girl. Sivan sir was looking for an ‘angry young man’ and, initially, he found my photographs cute and not in sync with his vision. I was heartbroken. I reached out to his associate, Saahil Saple, and told him that I could change my look. Though he was apprehensive, Saahil became a partner-in-crime and I started growing my beard. After eight days, I did a photoshoot and quietly emailed the photographs to Santosh Sivan sir. He was very impressed and said yes within 15 minutes!

Barring Singh Is Bling, your career has always veered towards the unconventional, both as an actor (Fugly, Prague, a German film, Gift) and as a co-producer (Loev, Road To Mandalay). Is this by design?

The only design in my career is the hard work I put in, and showing up every time I am needed or when there is an opportunity. I say 'yes' to a project instinctively; I am glad that there is no pattern to my madness. 

You could have played any of the three homosexual characters in your film Loev. But you didn't. Were you apprehensive that the role, especially the intimate scenes with fellow actors, would impact your chances in mainstream cinema?

I was not a brave actor then. Actually, I am not even now when it comes to exposing in front of the camera. Ask me to drop my towel for the demand of the scene and I will freeze, but tell me it’s for a commercial flick for Karan Johar or SLB sir, I am all game for it. Besides Loev was my first baby. I had to choose being an actor in Loev or owning Loev. I chose the latter and I am damn proud of my choice.

What else is in the pipeline?

Our next production is a Marathi venture. I have done three short films. Dial K For Kill was released at a huge event in Amsterdam by ARRI Cameras. Unlike Santosh sir’s film, which is an ode to a beautiful era of Bollywood, the other two short films, Correcting God’s Mistake and Darna Mana Hai, are strong issue-based films.