Extrapolations star Adarsh Gourav: ‘I want to be an actor who works in every part of the world’

When asked if working in Hollywood has now become the focus for him, Adarsh Gourav dismissed it saying, “Four years before it was a fantasy, now it’s a reality. I just feel fortunate that I have gotten these opportunities. Also, I have a great team that believes in me and the kind of work I want to do. Of course, my first project put me out there and everything that follows will further fuel that cause. Honestly, I want to be a global actor, who works in every part of the world, in every language. This is why I keep working on myself so that when the opportunity comes, I am ready and available.”

 

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Mention his former co-star and producer Priyanka Chopra, and he has a broad smile. “She is such an incredible woman. She helped me so much through the film (The White Tiger). I know that anytime I reach out to her, she will be there. I just feel lucky to have known her.”

As we further discussed content and how actors are now going global, Adarsh Gourav said that with RRR and The Elephant Whisperers winning Oscars, the gaze is definitely toward India. “And it’s only natural as we are an emerging market for OTT players. So many more actors are now working on international projects and Indian content is being consumed massively. I think as much as we focus on being original, local and authentic to the real country, this will only go bigger. That’s what attracts others to watch our content.”

However, there has also been a constant discussion of representation and how Indian actors are cast in ‘certain parts’. The actor said that instead of sitting and commenting on the same, he believes in becoming part of the system to change it. Adarsh stated that change will happen once he has proven his mettle. “People should know that there’s an Indian guy who can act well, can do these parts. The vision will break once I have proved myself as an actor. That’s when I will have the bargaining power to ask to change something. Fortunately though, I have been auditioning for very different parts now.”

He further shared that while representation does matter, in America, most scientists, doctors, and even drivers are Asian. “The stereotype exists for a reason. That’s what writers have seen there. So to break that, we must first have writers who are willing to write a part for an Indian actor that’s not typical. Then the actors’ part comes in. It’s a long process but we are all seeing a change and it will happen, inevitably. As storytellers become ready, we will make use of that opportunity.”

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The 28-year-old actor also mentioned how he has been earlier judged for his physicality even in Bollywood, and given specific parts. Only after The White Tiger did people start believing in him. “They were even ready to bend their beliefs. Because I am a practical person, I understand how business works. But now, I am just glad that Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti believed that I could also play a Bandra boy (in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan). Of course, I am the Jamshedpur boy but there’s also a side that’s different and people will see that in the film.”

Apart from Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, Adarsh also has Reema Kagti’s Malegaon, a film based on the documentary of a filmmaker. He also has Guns and Gulaabs with Rajkummar Rao and a ‘few other things’ that he cannot talk about right now.

On a final note, as we asked Adarsh Gourav about his journey in films, he smiled to say that he wouldn’t have been an actor if his father wouldn’t have been transferred to the city. “I was a classical singer, who loved animals. I think I would have been a Nat Geo filmmaker. It’s been such an exhilarating and adventurous journey for me. I remember when in 2007, I moved here, seeing a Mercedes or BMW was such a big thing. I had only played with those models as a kid. The smallest of things excited me and I would call my friends to tell them about it. It was like a dream and as we start getting used to it, the excitement somewhere dies, and you get interested in newer things. However, it has never been a dull ride and only gotten more exciting with time.”