‘I’m back in the game because of Mission Mangal’: Sharman Joshi

13/09/2019

Sharman Joshi is currently basking in the glory of Mission Mangal as the film has done exceedingly well at the box office. Based on Mass Orbiter Mission, the project has almost made it to the Rs 200 crore club. The 3 Idiots actor says excitedly, “I heard the audiences applauded and stood up in theatres when Mangalyaan completed the mission.” Here, he talks about the success of the movie, the rough patch while doing solo films and being completely rejuvenated now.
Mission Mangal proved to be among the biggest movies this year...
I’m absolutely elated and on top of the world! It was a unique subject made in an entertaining way by R Balki, Akshay sir (Kumar) and Jagan (Shakti, director). They managed to find a balance between learning and at the same time made it a huge commercial success. I am back in the game because of this movie.
What made you choose the film despite the limited screen presence?
The credit goes to Jagan and Balki sir for what they have written. The script was all there. The first time I heard the brief and read the script, I was excited.
Initially, some of my friends were sceptical about what the film would portray about Mars. I told them that we will capture the technical aspects of the mission and also about the personal and professional lives of the people.
The banter between you and Sonakshi Sinha received a lot of appreciation...
I’ve always admired Sonakshi. The first time I met her was when she was still a child and I had gone to meet her mum (Poonam Sinha) regarding a film. I always thought she was pretty and looked forward to working with her.
You have been part of cult films like Rang De Basanti (2006) and 3 Idiots (2009). Do you feel you have underachieved or made bad choices as an actor?
Akshay sir keeps saying that success of a film is 70 per cent luck and rest 30 per cent is script, hard work and everything else put together. I get where he is coming from.
After Ferrari Ki Sawari, I believed that I chose the right scripts. It was sheer bad luck that they failed at the box office. And naturally, it impacted me. I was not chasing to be the centre or the whole and sole of films because many times actors falter while doing that.
I was focussing on scripts then and even now and they were all ensemble projects.
So, was it a wrong perception that you only wanted to do solo films?
After Ferrari, which was a solo film, which other solo film did I do? Gang of Ghosts, War Chodna Yaar, Super Nani were all ensemble films. I was not chasing solo films but I didn’t want to do them just for the sake of it.
Have you been relegated to being just a comic actor?
I’m extremely proud that people think I am a good comic actor. I’ve never felt any lesser on being called that. The audiences are maturing and the producers are taking chances. I think comedy is among the most difficult forms of emotions to create. It requires you to be clean and naked in front of the camera and there is only so much a director can do.
What are your upcoming projects?
I have Pawan Puja coming up, which is directed by Shaad Ali and produced by Siddharth P Malhotra. I just hope that more luck shines in my favour this time around as an actor and want to entertain the audiences.

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