Four years ago, aspiring actor Rajat Barmecha was just one of the many hopefuls who land in Mumbai everyday in search of stardom. At that point, he had just turned 18 and had no idea where to hunt for that elusive break.
Cut to 2010 and it's a different story. His unconventional debut feature Udaan has navigated the prestigious Cannes Film Festival circuit after being chosen in the innovation-heavy Un Certain Regard section.
"When I landed in Mumbai, I didn't know anybody in Bollywood. The initial few months were tough because it was not about getting a break, it was more about surviving in Mumbai, getting your first pay cheque and doing the odd modelling job that came my way," says Barmecha.
Though the 21-year-old actor managed to get a toe-hold in the modelling world after singing jingles for ads for fruit juices and insurance companies, it was the call from producer Anurag Kashyap that set the ball rolling.
"When you are not a star son [unlike many stars in Bollywood, Barmecha is not related to one of the acting dynasties], you are always open to what comes your way. So, when they said that I was going to audition for Anurag Kashyap's production, I couldn't believe my luck."
For all those out of the Bollywood loop, Kashyap is known for gritty dramas such as Black Friday and wrote the script for the critically acclaimed drama Water, a tale about Indian widows. Produced by Kashyap, Udaan is, however, directed by debutant director Vikramaditya Motwane.
First scene
"I couldn't have asked for a better director than Vikram to guide me. I remember my first shot to the camera — all I had to do was look at the mirror and comb my hair in that self-conscious way that teenagers do. Not a tough scene, but it was my first scene for the movie — so that was scary," says Barmecha, whose character, a rebellious teenager, gets kicked out of a boarding school only to move in with a tyrannical father (Ronit Roy).
In the drama, Barmecha's streak of rebellion extends to midnight sneak-outs, car-stealing and pub-hopping.
"When the trailers hit the screens, my parents' family friends were exclaiming, ‘Now, your son has started smoking and drinking after moving to Mumbai.' So it wasn't easy convincing them that it was all for my role. But jokes apart, they are all very proud of me," says Barmecha.
His family are not the only ones taking pride in his success. Director Motwane is equally proud of his find. "I was clear about one thing — we needed actors who fit the roles. So it wasn't the question of hiring the busiest actor in Bollywood. What we have is an ensemble cast who are talented. Getting a Cannes entry after seven long years itself says that we must have done something right," says Motwane.
Udaan is only the second Indian feature to get a slot in the Cannes Un Certain Regard section after Murali Nair's Arimpara made the cut in 2003.
"Attending Cannes was like an unexpected bonus for us because we never thought my first break will take us there," says Barmecha.
Did you know?
It took five years for director Vikramaditya Motwane's Udaan script to be accepted by a producer. "My script was ready in 2003. It took five years for the film to take off. It took so long to get producers, as no one was ready to take the film initially," he said.
Barmecha On
His toughest scene: "My breakdown scene when I am on the phone with my friends and I can't hold back my emotions. That was an intense one to shoot."
The best compliment he has received so far: "Director Imtiaz Ali (of romantic comedy Jab We Met) said he liked my work."
His ultimate dream: "To act in a commercial Bollywood film with songs and dance." Why are we not surprised?
