Abhishek Bajaj, who rose from being a model to doing TV, has now carved a niche in Bollywood. The actor, after doing television shows like Parvarrish – Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi, Ek Nanad ki Khushiyon ki Chabhi Meri Bhabhi, Silsila Pyaar Ka, Santoshi Maa, Zindagi Ke Crossroads and others, got to make his dream Bollywood debut with Karan Johar’s Student of the Year 2. He played the role of Abhishek Sharma, Captain of the Pishorilal team. Post that film, he won accolades with his role as Sandy in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui.
This week in our Tellyblazer segment, we have Abhishek Bajaj speaking to ETimes TV about how he wished to become a CBI officer and ended up winning hearts in showbiz.
Starting with TV and then moving to movies, how’s the feeling been?
You always dream where you want to be. If you are honest with your work, then things will work out. I started as a model, then I did lot of print ads, then I did TV. This happened gradually and always want to level up after each project.
Being a Delhi boy, how did you end up coming to Mumbai and be an actor?
I never wanted to be an actor, because I didn’t know the path. I wanted to be a CBI officer. I knew I will have to study hard and work it out. I scored 90 % in 12th, did Economics Honours from Delhi University and was preparing for civil services. I came to Mumbai with my mom to meet her friend. I just learnt about an audition and gave it. I got selected and in six months I did 18 TV commercials. And I was told that in Mumbai, you need six months to make contacts, you have to struggle a lot, you don’t get work. Thankfully, by God’s grace, it never happened with me.
How did you get into acting on TV?
Television was a learning experience for me. On the job, I learned a lot. I got to play many different roles on TV. I could grow as a versatile actor. I worked on my craft. That’s how I ended up bagging films.
Without having a Godfather in the industry, was sustaining easy?
Nothing comes easy. I really had to work hard. There are always better actors, who will come and replace. There’s cut-throat competition. You have to be better than the rest and be different. I worked on my acting rather than on my looks. People get comfortable where they are, with the money they are getting. I was not satisfied. You have to keep going and cannot back down.
Whatever I have learnt, I have learned from TV. It was schooling for me. It’s now that I feel that I am working. In television you are doing 8-9 scenes, whereas in film, you do 2-3 scenes. In television, I have learnt a lot about technicalities, lighting, camera angles. I played versatile roles in TV.
Often actors have said about getting replaced at the last minute, have you ever faced?
Thankfully, never. In fact, I have been repeated many times. I have worked with very few people, but it has been a very good experience. You have to give your best. Kaam upar neeche ho jaye, par insaan upar neeche nahi hona chahiye.
Working with directors like Karan Johar, Madhur Bhandarkar, how’s the journey been for you?
Whatever happens with me, happens very gradually. I am rising gradually. I started with Karan Johar’s production, which is everybody’s dream. That was a great start for me and that’s how I started off. Then I got Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, which was directed by Abhishek Kapoor. He has given several cult hits and even this film was much talked about. I feel very grateful to have worked with Madhur Bhandarkar as well. He is a great visionary. I am in a very happy space. I am content right now thinking my career is going how I wanted it to be.
How was the feeling when you signed Student of the Year 2?
When SOTY2 came, I gave 4 auditions. I kept thinking that I shouldn’t lose. When I became a part of it and started working that’s when the realization struck. When I got it, I couldn’t feel at all. I wasn’t told how big the role will be. While doing I learnt how substantial the role was. I am grateful that I got to debut with the role.
Bonding with the SOTY2 actors
I really bonded well with Tiger (Shroff) bhai. I still meet him. We meet for football. We discuss fitness. I bonded with all of them.
After SOTY2, have you felt the change in peoples’ outlook towards you?
When I was working on TV, itna acknowledgement nahi milta tha. When I did SOTY2, every scene of mine was appreciated and being acknowledged. People were noticing me as an actor. My vision for myself extended. I started taking myself seriously. I have got so many directors and casting directors messaging me personally about my performance. I didn’t even know how they got my number. I got out of the crowd and got an identity of my own.
Your role in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui was much appreciated, how did you prep for the role?
When the role was offered to me, I thought to myself that nobody can do it better than me. I have to give my best. I had 16 stitches in my hand and I had to lift a filled cylinder. It was written in the script. I did it. It was a fitness-based role and if I had told them about my injury, they might not take me. I made sure that I look like a crossfit champion. I trained myself so much that had there been a cross fit championship for real, I would have won it. I had seen many crossfit game to see body language. I worked really hard and the Madhur Bhandarkar film also happened due to this.
To look your part, what was your diet like back then?
For Student of the Year 2, I was 78kg. I cut down my weight to look like a student. For Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, I had to look like a crossfit champion. I became 85kg. I went zero sugar for 50days. Until the climax was shot, I was on no sugar diet. I have a sweet tooth and it was so difficult. It was a task for me. I used to have jaggery instead. And with 16 stitches, it was all the more difficult. Again for Babli Bouncer, I lost my muscles because I had to look like an engineer.
Bond with Ayushmann Khurrana in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui
We both are Punjabis. Our producer and director are Punjabis. So it was Punjabi vibes all the time. We bonded very well. Punjabi food, songs we used to discuss all the time.
On his upcoming film Babli Bouncer
It has been great. This is what I was looking forward to. It’s been really exciting. It’s a very different role that I am playing right now.
Working experience with Madhur Bhandarkar and Tamannah Bhatia
It was great fun working with Madhur sir. It was a like working with family. He is the captain of the ship and got everyone together like a team. There have been many fun moments.
