In an upcoming movie based on Gujarat's much-loved Navratri festival, the young and extremely dashing Aayush Sharma is all set to make his acting debut with Abhiraj Minawala's 'Loveratri', produced by Salman Khan Productions. No stranger to films and the industry, the Delhi businessman already has controversy looking him in the eye, as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad protests the release of the movie in the state.
The movie is based in Gujarat, with Aayush playing a Gujarati boy and Warina Hussain, the female lead and fellow debutant, playing his love interest. A romantic drama that unfolds the blossoming love story of the two during Navratri, 'Loveratri' will hit the screens on October 5 this year. Will this be the birth of yet another charming and innocent 'Prem' from 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun'? In a tête-à-tête with Asian Voice, the father of one gets candid about the movie, and what it is like to be launched by his brother-in-law and the famous Salman 'Bhaijaan' Khan.
For your debut, you have chosen a very defined and safe character.Why?
When I started reading scripts, I was very sure that I did not want to do a classic Bollywood debut. I wanted to do something that was more me. Something I could relate with. Having said that, when I heard this film and, I am not from Gujarat. So when I heard the film, it came easily for me, from not being from Gujarat. There are so many different aspects of the state that do not really come out in cinemas. It is more of comedy when you talk about Gujaratis. So I got to know about this festival Navratri and how people do garba, and I was very intrigued. This (my) character in particular, I felt he is very close to me. He is not a typical Bollywood hero-hero launch, but this is a good platform, a good film for me to do the job. It is something I would enjoy myself, I would go to watch such films.
So you chose a character you had no idea or connection with. Weren't you anxious about not being able to play a Gujarati?
No. Not at all. We did a recce first. Abhiraj and myself, we went to Gujarat. So because it was my first time there, we went around and met a lot of youngsters and I actually realised the truth. When I talk about a Gujarati character, it is usually with an accent and they ham a lot. There is too much of hamming and too much of caricature performances going around. So I purposefully wanted to showcase that Gujaratis are not like that. For example, as a young educated Gujarati, I wasn't going to talk in a certain way. I am going to be talking how the normal Gujarati public talks. So I was very conscious of the fact, and when we were filming this we focused on the music too. We said we are not going to make typical Gujarati music. We are going to talk about the folk music, which not a lot of Indians are aware about. We are going to talk about how much more they are. I have no worries about not getting the character right because I have made a conscious effort to not make a joke out of it.
You are being launched by Salman Khan. All the stars he has launched have had to work with his name associated to them through out their careers. Any apprehensions on what it would be like for you?
(Laughs) Not one bit. No. To begin with, I am getting this opportunity because of him. The chance I am getting and the kind of hype 'Loveratri' is getting is because of him. So I don't really see this as something to worry about, I see this as an added advantage for the film. His name has really generated a lot of traction and people know about this film because of him. Having said that, Salman bhai said it and I believe him; he said it is all for the betterment of the film. I just want people to watch the film, and enjoy the film. And if they come because or for him, so be it. At the end, it is all about my hard work and talent. If they like me, they will come back.
