Produced by superstar Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix's much-talked-about web-series Bard Of Blood received rousing response from the viewers. Starring Emraan Hashmi, Kirti Kulhari, Sobhita Dhulipala and Veneet Kumar Singh in pivotal roles, the series has been praised for its gripping story, competent direction and powerful performances.
Amidst the presence of all aforementioned actors, there is one debutant who also gave his sweat and blood to his character and stood out in the crowd. We are talking about Abhishekh Khan who makes his digital debut with Bard Of Blood. Recently, the debutant got chatty with Eastern Eye and talked about how he bagged such a big project, his working experience with filmmaker Ribhu Dasgupta, his background and much more. Excerpts...
You have received positive response for your performance in your debut digital series Bard Of Blood. How do you feel?
I feel great. Actually, I cannot even describe in words how happy I am. It is indeed a huge thing for someone like me who is an outsider to this industry. I never really imagined that my first project would be something like this! So, I am really ecstatic.
Bard Of Blood is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, one of the leading production houses in the business? How did you bag it?
Suddenly, out of nowhere, I got a call from Wayword Monk Casting, which is a casting company by Prashant Singh. They were looking for actors for a web series. So, I went for the audition, did a few different scenes and, I think, after a week, I got a call from Red Chillies Entertainment, confirming that I had been roped in for a role. I was signed on 5th September, 2018. It was a little later that I got to know that the project that I had been cast for was Bard Of Blood.
Before making your digital debut, you have done a lot of theater. Tell us how theatre shaped you as an actor?
I was in theatres for a good amount of time. But I never got a chance to show my acting prowess in theatre. I did not think that I did anything path-breaking or remarkable in theatres. I did a few plays and that is about it. Having said that, I would like to add that I got to learn a lot from everyone around me in the theatre circuit. But now I am more interested in doing films and web series.
How was it to work with filmmaker Ribhu Dasgupta?
Excellent. He is a very flexible filmmaker and indeed one of the best in the business. He is one of the most hard-working people I have seen in my life till now. He always tried to get the best out of me. He made sure that I stand out as an actor in the series. I am thankful to him for everything I did as Nusrat in Bard Of Blood.
Tell us something about your background and how did you end up being an actor.
I belong to a family which is nowhere close to films. I did not know how and where to start from. So I did theatre for a while and then I started assisting on music videos, ads, etc. And, at the same time, I also started anchoring. I am also a graduate in BMM from MMK college, Bandra.
Who is your inspiration?
My mother is my inspiration. She has done a lot for me. I know she does not belong to the field I am in, but she has outdone herself to give a better life to all of us, which is truly inspiring. I cannot thank her enough for everything that she has done for the family.
Did you always want to be an actor?
Yes. Always. I think I was in 5th standards when I got introduced to school plays and since then I only wished to be an actor.
What were your parents, relatives and friends' reaction when they came to know about your plan for showbiz?
First I told my mother about it and she was all fine with it. Others did criticise but it did not really matter to me. Only my mother's view was important. She said 'yes' and I did not need anyone after that.
Besides acting, what else do you love to do?
I think I love anchoring. It is because I love making people smile.
