Bhuvan Arora Interview: I dedicate Amaran to my father
Bhuvan Arora is a busy man. After his breakthrough role as Firoz in the Prime Video series Farzi, the actor has been shooting a slew of projects across the country. "I love it this way. I have spent enough time sitting idly in Mumbai," jokes the Delhi-born actor, who makes his Tamil debut as Sepoy Vikram Singh in the upcoming Sivakarthikeyan-starrer Amaran. "In the Tamil industry, people are more relaxed, but they take their work very seriously. In Bollywood, it is the other way around. People are more close-knit here," remarks Bhuvan, who had to learn Tamil for the film. "I insisted on dubbing my own lines. What's the challenge in reading a line in a language I already know?" says the spirited actor. Bhuvan opens up on shooting for Amaran, the lesson Kamal Haasan taught him, his acting process, and more.
Excerpts:
How did you land your role in Amaran?
I got a call from the casting team that director Rajkumar Periasamy sir wanted to narrate a film to me. When we met at around midnight, I had come from a day-long shoot, and he had just finished a lot of meetings. So, we both laughed it off, saying we were tired, and we met the next day to discuss. My father was in the army, so this was a long-due role for me.
What did you learn from your father that you brought to the table for Amaran?
I dedicate the film to him. I grew up in an army school, seeing army life around me. My father used to tell me that you can take an officer out of the army, but not the army out of an officer. I could see the love and passion he had for the country in his eyes. He was such a big patriot, he got offended at seeing people wear designer costumes that looked like those of the army.
Sivakarthikeyan went through a strict regimen and attended workshops to prepare for Amaran. What was your process like?
There were many steps. I read the source material, India's Most Fearless: True Stories of Modern Military. Apart from physical training, we were trained in a military setting on holding and shooting a rifle. We were coached in the 'buddies technique'. But, this is the job, and I don't want to boast about it. I don't want to tell you that I locked myself up in a room to prepare for this role (laughs). This is what we do; if it shows on screen, then great. I was also offered to meet Sepoy Vikram Singh's family, but I felt I would be too disturbed, so I didn't do that.
Can you elaborate on the buddies technique?
In the army, you never go on a mission alone; you go in pairs. So in the film, Major Mukund (Sivakarthikeyan's character) has a buddy, who is Sepoy Vikram. There is this tagline in the camp, "mera buddy mera bhai." (My buddy is my brother). They live together and die together. They have to be in complete sync with each other. If you are walking, you can't point the gun in the other person's direction. There is a grace with which the soldiers do it, which we had to replicate.
Be it in Farzi, Chandu Champion, or Amaran, your role involves a lot of camaraderie with another character. What exactly is chemistry, and how do you approach it?
In my life, I feel bromance is above romance (laughs). Sometimes you really hit it off on set. I connected with SK sir the day I met him. My family and his used to hang out after shooting. With Farzi, Shahid Kapoor took from my energy, as I was much younger, and gave it back on screen. SK sir himself used to play friend roles; now look at where he has gotten. I hear he was passed the baton by Vijay sir in GOAT as the next biggest star in Tamil cinema.
How did Farzi, where your performance was celebrated across India, change your life?
I don't have to audition anymore (laughs). It has given me a lot more choice. As the saying "beggars can't be choosers" goes, earlier I was a beggar, now I am a chooser. To have that liberty to be given options to choose from is beautiful.
As an actor, where do you get your inspiration from?
When I was studying at the Film Institute, Kamal Haasan sir came to take a class. He said that you can actually find mannerisms, gestures, and characters anywhere. Sometimes it's the music that inspires me. Sometimes I see an animal and think that this could be a really interesting character if it were a human being. And sometimes it's an AD on the set; I look at them and I start mimicking them. Some of them hate me for it (jokes).
It's been over a decade since your debut role with Shuddh Desi Romance (2013). How has Bhuvan Arora changed?
I had this habit called 'verbal diarrhea' back in the day. I would like to advise the old Bhuvan that, before you say anything to anybody, just think about it. I ended up hurting a lot of people by joking about things I shouldn't have. I didn't really know better. So that's the only advice I would probably give myself: Just think twice.
What are your upcoming projects?
Fisaddi just released on MX Player, and of course, I have Amaran this Diwali. Then, there is Dupahia, a series for Prime Video, and Tatkaal for JioCinema. I am shooting for two more projects, which I can't reveal. I also hope to get more Tamil roles. There are so many great films coming out of Tamil cinema, like Maharaja.