The promos of Prakash Jha's new movie, which is being presented by Mukta
Arts are out and being lapped up by everyone as they entice viewers into the
world of a small child. Rahul looks like an intriguing movie to say the
least. We know there is a couple and we know there is a child, but little
else. Apart from looking forward to this emotional family entertainer,
another thing everyone is talking about is the film's main lead. Jatin
Grewal is the man so many are quizzing about as to who is the new hunk on
the Bollywood scene, and the reception he has received is brimming with
warmth.
I meet the down-to-earth six foot soon-to-be superstar in Versova where
Bunty (as known to his friends) is looking every part the hero in a white
tee and denim jeans. To many reading this interview Jatin Grewal will not be
a familiar face, but this good looking young heartthrob is already a name in
his native country as he ranks as one of India's hottest models. His foray
into movies is the result of hard work and dedication and he is all set to
shine with his debut venture, so prestigiously presented by Subhash Ghai.
Hold onto your hearts, here comes Jatin Grewal:
I begin by informing the towering actor that this will be published in
England and so a introduction to his new-found international fans would be
welcome. He smiles and happily talks of his background and venture into the
film industry, as we begin our interview.
"Well basically I am from Nainital and was doing my MBA in Pune in 1998. I
then participated in the Gladrags manhunt, a type of model search which is
like Mr India. I had done a few shows at college and decided to go for it
and was the runner up for the supermodel contest. I then went back and
completed my MBA and after that shifted back to Bombay in 1999 and started
modelling. I did a lot of fashion shows, commercials and music videos always
with the inclination that I wanted to go into acting which is like a natural
progression," he tells me with interest. What he would call 'music videos' I
later find out to be musical breakthroughs as he features in videos by
popular artistes such as Pankaj Udhas and Nazia Hassan, but the modest actor
gives the feeling despite what he's done in the past he'd like Rahul to be
his launch and this to be his ceremonial launch.
"I met Subhashji (Ghai) and Prakashji (Jha) who were looking for a new boy
and they liked my face and work, and told me they thought I'd fit into the
character they had in mind. They wanted to launch me with their new company
Mukta Arts in this movie Rahul and I was thrilled. So in a sense I was lucky
to just be there at the right time and being a newcomer I am very fortunate
to have this opportunity especially with someone like Prakashji who's such a
good director."
We joke for a moment as a phone call interrupts us and he speaks of people
with the 'ji' on the end signifying respect.
"It's something I'm getting used to," he smiles. "It's the way it works
here, you end up calling everyone 'ji' in the end!".
At the point of our interview I have not seen any rushes of Rahul. Nor do I
have any knowledge of Bunty or what he's done and so I learn of his
background as he tells it. What I do know though is that judging by his
humility, his looks and his nature, he will be big.
Having now had the pleasure of seeing some of his debut venture I am glad he
is taking his first step in an unconventional manner. It seems his debut
will show a glimmer of the promise this young debutante has as he will be
assaying a difficult role and seems at ease in doing so, for which he gives
full credit to his director. I ask him about Rahul and his experience of the
movie.
"It's a nice film and has good music which is a hit. The film itself is
amazing, in the movie I have a four-year old son, Neha plays my wife and it'
s an emotional love story which also deals with my feelings with regards to
my child. It's also about how my child feels towards me and how he feels
about his mother and how those feelings change. It also deals with how we
react to each other, how he reacts to me and how we get on with each other
and basically what happens in small families. And it's a great film and a
great role," he says smiling again.
The promos certainly have caused a stir and the two questions being asked
are from two different corners. The public are asking 'Who is this hot
newcomer' and certain media and industry types are asking 'how can he make
his first film and play a father'. Whereas I feel he will gain a credibility
others take eons to accomplish in his first film alone, he is also given the
opportunity to be part of something different and do something which will
not introduce him on a motorbike with a girl on his arm or mouthing
dialogues he will inevitably have to as is the convention of Hindi cinema,
and so his debut movie is a refreshing change compared to what could have
been his launch vehicle. How does he react when people are surprised to hear
he is playing a father, I ask. His reply is instant, he has answered this
one many times before:
"Everyone's asking how come you're so young and you're doing a father's role
and I just say well I'm 25. I could've got married when I was 21 and had a
child so I fit into the character fine and age has little to do with it!"
Point taken. I tell Bunty of how family oriented films tend to do better in
the UK compared to the usual pot-boiler or action flick, to which he
breathes a sigh of relief and says "I hope so," before continuing:
"Rahul is a strong family-oriented movie which I'm hoping will do well there
in the UK, so let's keep our fingers crossed. The music released on the 14th
of February and is doing well."
Bunty has the looks for sure, I question how he groomed his talent and how
he prepared for the role, to which he is keen to answer:
"I took some training and was doing theatre workshops, and then Prakashji
used to call me home and go through a few techniques with me to get me used
to acting. I had it in me but he tuned me and honed in to the talent,
bringing it out," he says.
"We started shooting in September and did a start to finish schedule,
completing the movie in 50 days at a small hill station called Panchgani
which is near Bombay. They used to be 18 hour days with long shifts and a
lot of hard work, and now we're working on the post production such as
dubbing and all, and the little patchwork that is needed."
50 days? Is that it? For a film which is looking so fresh and captivating
from its promos alone, finishing the a movie in such a short time is an
accomplishment in itself. To this he gives the credit to the unit and mostly
to the film's director Prakash Jha, who we know from such films as the UK
success Mrityudand and more recently Dil Kya Kare.
"It was great working with an experienced director like Prakashji, he is
very clear about what he wants from his artistes and his film. He visualises
everything and is very focused about every emotion and shot. He never saw me
as Jatin the actor but saw me as Akash, which is the name of my character."
I ask him to relive some of Rahul's experience and tell me his favourite
scene in the movie. He pauses and thinks for a while, before looking me
straight in the eye and smiling, narrating a sequence which has obviously
touched his heart.
"My favourite scene in Rahul is when I am sitting with Neha and we're just
talking about the past and she says something. I response I just turn and
ask her 'jinko baat karni hoti wo apna ghar chorkey nahin chala jaatey' and
it's an amazing scene."
My first experience of him speaking Hindi allows me to note how clear his
diction is. A scene I'll certainly watch for when the film hits the cinemas
shortly.
"But you see, all the scenes are nice be they the ones with my son or Neha,
overall it was a great experience and every scene holds its worth for me,"
he continues before I can compliment him on his dialogue delivery.
And so what's in store for the future, I ask Bunty Grewal, the six foot
wonderkid who's about to it our screens with a bang.
"After Rahul I've signed two films at this point of time, one is with Partho
Ghosh and one is with Aruna Iraniji. Parthoji's movie is a love story with a
revenge twist and Arunaji's movie is a love story we're hoping to shoot in
Scotland, so the roles are very different from what I've done in Rahul. I
have also signed three more films with Mukta Arts, the next one goes on the
floors in July but meanwhile it's gearing up for Rahul!"
As our interview comes to an end I ask him to say something to everyone who
will be reading his interview, and especially everyone in the UK who will be
seeing him on the big screen very soon. He stops and thinks for a moment,
and comes out with no words about himself or asking people to accept him,
but words about the topic close to his heart: his movie, Rahul.
"I would like to invite all the readers to come and watch Rahul, come and
try to relate to the emotions and sentiments of the kid and the film and it
would be great if what we've set out to deliver is accomplished, and all I
can say is come and see it, it'll be a fabulous journey for those 2 and a
half hours and I hope you enjoy our efforts."
Bunty Grewal doesn't need to ask the audiences to accept him as judging by
the response to the rushes of Rahul, they already have. And going by his
relaxed attitude and humble demeanour he is about to enter an industry where
he is all set for a long inning. For this will surely be the last time
people will ask 'Who is that hot newcomer' as from now onwards it'll be
'Have you seen Bunty's movie, isn't he hot!'. Bunty Grewal. Remember the
name well. It is here to stay.
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