FILM INTERVIEW: DARSHEEL SAFARY
Child Actor a True Star On Earth, Prepares To Take Over Bollywood
Just as in Hollywood, child actors have it tough in Bollywood, but when you are a child actor who works with one of the greatest Indian actors and filmmakers ever, Aamir Khan, the standard for future success is increased several notches.
For Darsheel Safary, one could reasonably estimate his thespian career path in Bollywood is starkly and glaringly difficult, what with the young one already starring in the critically acclaimed and all around well-received film Taare Zameen Par. Of course, it did not help that Darsheel would return to the screen as a leading star in Walt Disney-produced action adventure Zokkomon, in which the kid plays the lead superhero who saves the world.
The question now is whether Darsheel himself needs superhero-like powers to ensure his own world is not in need of any sort of saving after his latest venture with yet another heavy-hitter filmmaker in Priyadarshan.
Whether or not Darsheel’s future prospects as an actor will be anything short of stellar remains to be seen, yet no one can deny the rapid start his career has already experienced, what with already associating with Khan, Priyadarshan and Disney before hitting the ripe age of 15.
To his credit, Darsheel seems to be demonstrating some level of maturity and greater understanding in recently explaining to reporters how he values the greatness that has surrounded him so early in life — which bodes well for the young man.
Among the right words Darsheel shared with the media last week — ergo indicating a superior level of maturity — he expressed a desire to work with the very man who helped put his name on the Bollywood map to begin with.
“I’m really looking forward to work with Aamir Khan again. I have been appreciated for my work so much, and that is all because of Aamir sir,” the young actor humbly informed the press as he talked to reporters via phone about his role in Priyadarshan’s upcoming comedy, Bumm Bumm Bole. “Me and my family have been in constant touch with him (Aamir). Moreover, before starting my shooting for Bumm Bumm Bole, I took blessings from him; after all, he is my guru.”
Still a little less than two weeks shy of releasing to wide audiences in India and abroad, Darsheel told reporters Bumm Bumm Bole, which is a remake of the Iranian film Children of Heaven, is a fast-paced story.
“The film was very fast and very quick,” he candidly told reporters without revealing details about the plot. “Priyadarshan sir used to explain everything very fast, and the sets were all ready.”
Darsheel also appeared ready for his role as a superhero in Disney’s Zokkomon, which was directed by debutant filmmaker Satyajit Bhatkal. Further demonstrating his maturity and understanding, Darsheel promptly credited his guru-like mentor in Khan for the young actor’s preparation levels.
“I’m learning from every movie that I’m doing. I learned a lot from Taare Zameen Par, and working with Aamir Khan and working with Priyadarshan sir has also taught me a lot of things. He is a great person to work with and a man who was always ready for the shot before any one of us was ready,” Darsheel humbly told the press. “I think I’m lucky to be working with such great people so early.”
Darsheel now hopes he can use his stellar experience and training to solidify himself as a great actor, and again, in a demonstrable statement of maturity and understanding, told the press he is willing to pace himself and take life as it comes in figuring out what his next career steps are.
“I only do maybe one or two films, depending upon the time I have on my hands. For me, as well as my parents, studies are the priority and acting cannot change that,” the young kid confidently told the press. “I might become a full-time actor when I grow up, or I might choose to do something different, but studying is something I cannot choose whether to do or not. I have to, as it is the most important thing.”
With the proper priorities in mind, that is not stopping Darsheel from being the young buck that he is and fantasizing about the types of films he would like to steadily do, should he actually decide to pursue acting full-time.
“I get an adrenaline rush when I have to run real fast for long distances in Priyadarshan sir’s film. Action is something I had always wanted to do, and I’m glad Zokkomon came my way,” Darsheel confessed. “I have had a great experience doing the stunts. I would love to do many action films. Action films are definitely one of my favorite [types of] movies.”
Hopefully Darsheel can maintain his adrenaline rush to ensure his career continues to run real fast for the long distance that is the rest of his living days. As his acting career continues to blossom, Darsheel can next be seen on the big screen on May 14th, when Bumm Bumm Bole opens worldwide.
