In a career spanning over a decade in Bollywood, Anshuman Jha has received critical acclaim for his performances in movies like Love Sex Aur Dhokha, Yeh Hai Bakrapur, Chauranga, Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain Mastram and several others. But somehow never attained the fame that many of his contemporaries achieved.
Speaking about whether he feels his talent has not received its due in the film industry, he says, “I look at some of my contemporaries and I look at them with awe at the kind of work they're doing. I come from a place where I have learnt everything the hard way. I have been a director's assistant. I have been an AD (assistant director). Also, I come from Allahabad. There, in no way, can one imagine being in films. From there, I have come up to a place where I am acting, producing films, and working with some of the best names in the world. My motive is to be honest in whatever I am doing and not comparing because my journey is mine. As I have come from a place of education and training, I am never insecure.”
Sharing an anecdote Anshuman says, “Amitabh Bachchanji once said to me: ‘Even in your worst films, you should be the best.' So, if you take any of my films — even the flop ones — when walk out of the theatres you will take my character with you because I put my 200% into that. My endeavour is to not be the best, but my game is to be my best on my worst day. For me, the process of learning is the one that is driving me forward and not proving that I am more talented than someone else. I feel God has blessed us in his own way and everyone is special in their own way. I love watching Varun Dhawan. I love watching Ayushmann Khurrana.”
When asked about what he thinks about his contemporaries like Rajkummar Rao, Kartik Aaryan, Ayushmann Khurrana or Vicky Kaushal, who have become more famous than him, Anshuman says he is happy being himself. “I am very unsocial. I don't go out much. I don't mingle much. It is a personal choice, and this is how I am. I have a very simple lifestyle. I go to sleep at 10. I wake up early in the morning. I don't like to clutter my life with too many things. I like to keep it simple. It is a personal choice and I am not sad about it. I really love it that way. In this space, if I am able to create the sort of work that I like, I am very grateful for that itself. If someone tells me Anshuman you should do this or do that, and that would bring in more work for you, but that would also kill the fun and the joy of the work for me. I don't want to enter that rat race. I think we all are artistes and we all are doing great in whatever way we like. What may be working for them, it is good for them and I have the greatest respect and regards for that,” concludes Anshuman.
On the work front, Anshuman has been garnering praise for his latest OTT film, Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele with Zareen Khan. The movie, which also stars Zareen Khan talks about the LGBTQ community and its challenges. Anshuman also will be working with filmmaker Harish Vyas for the third time in the film tentatively titled, "Hari-Om". He has previously collaborated with him on "Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele" and "Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain".
