2024-09-05 16:52:29
Actor Manav Vij has recently worked with Aamir Khan in ‘Lal Singh Chaddha’ and with Akshay Kumar in ‘Samrat Prithviraj’. He was also liked in the web show ‘Tanav’. Manav, who recently came to Delhi, had a special conversation with us. During this, he talked about his acting world. He told about his background and how he traveled from Firozpur to Mumbai. Read some excerpts from the interview-
Your film career spans more than two decades. Who first told you to enter the field of acting?
I think I said this to myself. My family members laughed after hearing this. My mother used to say that look at your face, your nose is like a pakora. My parents are amazing. Many people know both of them in our area. I was practicing medicine. Actually, my mother wanted me to become a doctor. I have studied to be a homeopathy doctor. I have told this to the world just a while ago. My wife asked me to tell my truth. After my mother’s death, I started taking acting more seriously. After her death, there was a lot of change in me.
You told that you come from the border area of Ferozepur. Despite this, thinking of becoming an actor and succeeding in it is a big thing. How do you remember your days of struggle?
I was a rebel from the beginning. Actually, I was like a combo of a lover and a rebel. I fall in love very easily. This love is not just about girls. My mother knew this. I did not have much struggle. The struggle is more when your family does not trust you. My trust overpowered my struggle. I used to laugh when my car’s tyre got punctured. My mindset is different. I consider Gurdas Maan as my friend and guru. My mother was a very good guru. People should consider rejection as a means to improve. I also get upset, but mostly for my family, friends, my dog etc. instead of my things.
Your role in the first season of the web show Tanas was well liked. What would you say?
I had played different characters before. Now I was going to become a hero. It is not that I could not believe it but this was a very big opportunity. I told the director that you have a desire to cast me as a hero. So I said change this role a little. I talked about making an imperfect hero. Everyone agreed to this. I gained weight for the role. My weight was 105 kg. I am wearing pants with a waist size of 40. Whereas I have lost weight for season 2.
You have shot this series in Kashmir. How was the experience there?
Shooting in Kashmir was great. When we went there for the first time, there was a lot of military there. This time, the force was less visible during the shooting. I felt that people were happier and more relaxed. I really liked the way people there fed us and their hospitality. Kashmir is my favorite place, so whenever I go there, I become happy. Our set is very chill. Everyone takes care of each other, which is not usually seen on the set.
Any memorable things that happened during your shooting in Kashmir?
I have many memories of Pahalgam. Leaving the hotel there and then going for coffee in the evening. If you go there for an hour, then you forget your sorrows and pain at that time.
Your show is a remake of an international show Fauda. Now when a remake of a show comes, people have already seen it. So a comparison comes up?
I had already seen Fauda. It was my favourite show. I had told my wife that I can do this role well. So, when I got an offer for its remake, it was a big chance for me. Moreover, the team of our show was very good. Especially Sudhir Mishra is our director, who is a magician. If he remakes a show, then it is not a remake but a reimagination.