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Though he didn't go very far as an actor, Rahul Bajaj has
achieved success with his first novel "Bollywood Roulette: Inside
the Struggle", which exposes the underbelly of the Hindi film
industry. Rahul, who used to be an investment banker in New York
but came back to India to take up acting as a profession, says
after publishing such a story, he has no hope of getting any roles
in future either.
The book was released last week and has become a bestseller.
In a freewheeling chat, Rahul, who achieved success as the main
lead in UTV's "Kabhi Hero Kabhi Zero", as well as in Balaji
Telefilms' "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii", spoke about the book, which is
based on his own experiences in showbiz.
Excerpts:
Q: Firstly, "Bollywood Roulette" is an interesting title. How did
it come about?
A: "Bollywood Roulette" was my title of choice as soon as I had
finished writing the climax of the novel. At various points, the
editors came up with names they thought would be more commercially
viable. I think outsiders who come to Bollywood to 'struggle' are
playing a dangerous game of roulette, and that thought is not
foremost in their minds when they begin their pursuits. I wanted
that thought, that sense of danger, to be upfront.
Q: How long did you work in the industry?
A: I devoted about two and a half years of my life to being a
professional actor. Part of that was being a drama student before
jumping into the 'struggle' where I would go knocking on doors
seeking work. The ball got rolling after an executive producer at
UTV found me lounging in the waiting area and asked me to audition
for the lead role in "Kabhi Hero Kabhi Zero" for the upcoming
Hungama TV channel.
When "Kabhi Hero..." aired on television, Sandiip Sickand, the then
creative director at Balaji Telefilms, invited me to audition for a
role in Balaji's flagship "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii".
Q: Have you now 'officially retired' from Bollywood?
A: I think I will never go back to being a professional actor in
television or film. I made a conscious choice to give that up.
Also, I think after this book nobody will give me a role even if I
changed my mind! I have many friends who are still on the
'inside' so I guess I will remain connected to Bollywood through
them at least.
Q: Your book is something of an exposй of the dark underbelly
of Bollywood - casting couch, underworld links and film family
dominance. How much of this is based on your experiences within the
industry?
A: The phenomena represented in the book are very much based on my
firsthand experiences in Bollywood and those of other close friends
and colleagues who have experienced the 'struggle'. The specific
incidents, characters etc. as characterised in the narrative are
fictitious or used in a fictitious manner; but the underlying
phenomena are real.
Q: You trained with Barry John. In your book the drama school
'guru' figure plays an important role in your story. To what
extent do you credit John with your success as an actor?
A: The fictional character of "Guruji" in the book is very much
inspired by John. I am deeply indebted to him. He took me under his
wings at a time when I wasn't sure what direction I wanted my life
to take. He is a real master of the art of acting and I agree with
Shah Rukh Khan that John is the best acting teacher in the world.
Incidentally, it was John who encouraged me to write.
Q: Your career path begins in a similar way to Shah Rukh Khan's.
A: In a gurukul sense, Shah Rukh and I are brothers - we share the
same guru, or theatrical father - Barry John. Beyond that similar
beginning, I don't think I'm even a patch on SRK!
Q: The climax of the story is set against the historical backdrop
of the 26th July Mumbai floods. Were you personally affected by
this event?
A: I was in Mumbai on 26/7. I was lucky I got back home before the
flooding got out of hand. My most distinct memory of that day is
that I remember reading in the papers the day before 26/7 how plans
had been drawn up to transform Mumbai into Shanghai.
Q: What next?
A: Right now I'm just basking in the warmth that "Bollywood
Roulette: Inside the Struggle!" is generating. It gives me immense
satisfaction when somebody tells me "after reading your book, I
look at Bollywood in a very different light".
By Steven Baker
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