Ajay Devgn starrer Raid turned out to be one of the most successful films of 2018. The film based on 1981’s biggest income tax raid to curb black money, made its position in Rs 100 cr club with films like Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Raazi, Stree and others. Apart from lead actors like Ajay Devgn, Ileana D’Cruz and Saurabh Shukla, many newcomers in Rajkumar Gupta’s film gave their major contribution. Amongst all the newcomers, an actor who made his valuable presence is Amit Bimrot, who played Inspector Satish Mishra.
Amit made his debut with Raid but somehow he got overshadowed in the multi-starrer. However, this didn’t stop Amit here as he continued to do his work for his short film and many ad films to make his own destiny. Recently, Sumit Rajguru from Free Press Journal had an exclusive interaction with Amit Bimrot and talked about his career goals, upcoming projects and other issues happening in the industry. Excerpts –
As your debut film Raid did outstanding business at the box office, how would you express your happiness to readers?
Instagrammed by Amit Bimrot |
It’s an overwhelming feeling for me. I never thought that I would make a debut from the film like Raid. I’m fortunate that I got such opportunity to work in critically and commercially acclaimed film. Working in a successful first film, gave me the motivation to work even harder in my career.
Despite debuting in the critically and commercially acclaimed film, your presence was somewhere neglected by the critics, what will you say about it?
I’m completely okay with that as in the end it’s a creative call from director and producers. There were many senior and experienced actors who couldn’t get much screen space because of XYZ reasons. I don’t know about it but I’m completely fine with that until the film should work critically and commercially. Still, I got recognised by audiences for my character Satish Mishra. As an actor, I always think that I’m a part of the film and it’s important for me that it should work at the box office.
After Raid, did you get any calls from big budget banners and filmmakers?
I got calls two or three big commercial films but I couldn’t work due to some creative reasons. Whatever, I learnt from film institute guided me to choose the right character for me. After a long time, I got Rajkummar Rao and Mouni Roy starrer Made In China which I felt was a good a film to work for.
Tell us something about your upcoming project?
I completed shooting of Made In China which also stars Boman Irani, Amyra Dastur. The story of the film is unique in which a businessman brings an idea from China to start his work. It is all about how he implements his idea and makes his business from Zero to large scale. I’m a part of his business team which designs a product. I feel this is the most unique story which has not yet been shown in Indian cinema.
How did you get a role in Bard of Blood and Made In China?
For Made In China, I got an audition call. And when I read a script, I got that click that this is something different kind of stuff I wanted to do. I did the preparation, gave an audition and finally got shortlisted for it. For Bard of Blood, during an audition, I got that idea about my character and creativity. I gave my audition and got selected for it as well.
Give us some more information about your character in Bard of Blood and Made In China?
Both are very different characters. Bard of Blood is based on a book of the same name written by Bilal Siddiqui. It’s an undercover operation conduct by RAW in which Emraan Hashmi playing a lead role. I’m playing an agent who takes care of all the technical aspects. It’s a major part but it’s a very different part to play. On the second hand, I’m playing a local Gujarati guy from Ahmedabad who wears a shirt of Rs 100 and goggles of Rs 50. The major speciality of the character is he doesn’t know English but knows how to use Photoshop. He can’t say no to anything. It’s a comic character. When you have co-actors like Rajkummar and Boman Irani sir, as an actor you get more freedom to perform.
Being an actor from a theatre background, will you feel comfortable to work in Netflix’s web series Bard of Blood which might be bold and vulnerable?
Honestly, I don’t have any protocols for certain kind of stuff but it should go with the story. I’m not going to do such thing unnecessarily now as well as in future. I’m okay with the rough language as it shows the reality of the world. Whatever we have seen in Sacred Games is real and raw. Many people try to make it over by using abuses in the shows but audiences are very smart to understand what is going over and what is not.
What have you learnt while working with Rajkummar, Boman Irani?
Rajkummar Rao with Amit Bimrot |
They both have different kind of craft. Rajkummar still works like a film institute student. It was shocking for me to see such a great star working as a film student. He makes everyone feel comfortable. He is very passionate towards acting. On the other hand, Boman sir does creative improvisations a lot. He is full of energy and I learnt a lot of creative aspects from him.
How are preparing for Bard Of Blood?
Right now, I’m doing research on RAW. Simultaneously, I’m in talk with some CBI people from whom I can get a lot of information regarding work process. I’m just trying my best to give my full inputs to the show.
Right now MeToo movement is getting momentum in India, what is your take on it?
I completely support this movement and it should have happened earlier. It’s good to see things are getting out and action is also been taken on many of the issues. It doesn’t matter if you are men or women, your workplace should be comfortable for everyone. Many stories in this movement are indirect that can be misused by their position. It’s a good thing that action is taking place but somewhere down the line, I feel that 20 to 30 percent cases might have been uplifted among the audiences to seek attention. It’s a very sensitive issue.
Your short film happened to be the last work of Veteran actor Tom Alter, tell us a memorable incident while shooting?
We had a schedule of 24 hrs and I knew that Tom sir was undergoing his chemotherapy. He worked non-stop which was surprising for us to see a medically unfit person shooting continuously. When we shot Simmi, I didn’t have money to pay him but he worked just due to his relations with me. Next day, I didn’t have cash to pay for Tom sir’s cab. We urged driver to drop sir but he categorically refused to do it without pay. Due to an argument with cab driver, Tom sir shouted at me and headed towards hotel in auto. I rode to hotel by bike before sir reached. In a room, I started crying and apologised to sir. Then, sir consoled me and forgot everything. He came next day on time for a song shoot. I will always remember this incident. He used to say that, despite working for so many years, people still consider him as a foreigner working in Bollywood.
If given a chance to choose acting or direction, what will you choose and why?
Acting always! I started direction for bread and butter. I always knew that I have certain skills to earn money. Secondly, I wanted to work in front of camera. I usually acted in the films which I have directed during my college days.
Lastly, which medium is better to connect with audiences and why? Films, Television or Web Series?
I think Films and Web series! Television is not working so well as much as it used to work during the 90s. It has become a race to get TRPs rather than giving content to audiences. Web series are coming, real and raw, which directly connect to the audiences. It has freedom, target audiences. If films don’t censor, then it can relate to audiences more. Nowadays, viewers are very smart and makers should know how to execute their ideas through these mediums.
