He is truly what one calls a 'powerhouse' actor. Ashutosh Rana made an indelible mark in the minds of the audience with films like Dushman, Sangharsh, Raaz, Ghulam, LOC and recently, Dhokha.
He began his career on TV with Swabhimaan and continued doing TV shows alongside Hindi and regional films. Preferring to keep a low profile, he's made a comeback of sorts with hosting Sarkaar Ki Duniya on Real TV, and will now be seen in films like Coffee House and Hook Ya Crook among others. We chatted with him over some coffee....
Q. What is your role in Coffee House?
Ashutosh Rana: A guy who wants to bring about a change in society through theatre and his newspaper.
Q. Did you hang out at coffee houses ever? Were you part of the culture there?
Ashutosh Rana: Yes, in school and college. We sometimes also discussed the tricks of passing an exam (laughs). A coffee house is like a mobile SIM card with the whole world's data in it. All kinds of people meet in a coffee house and discuss and plot. The vibrations of that place are highly enlightening as far as thoughts are concerned.
Q. How is the coffee house scene today?
Ashutosh Rana: Today the Baristas and CCDs have taken its place – but in B and C class cities, the coffee house culture is still pretty much present. And that is why you'll see, that 80 per cent of the famous personalities are from small towns – due to the connection of a coffee house and the interactions there. Metro coffee houses are more business-like, while the small town ones are more social.
Q. How was it working with Sakshi Tanwar?
Ashutosh Rana: It was interesting. She knows her job and she also has a command over the language, which makes it easier for an actor to emote.
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Q. Who has designed your costume in the show Sarkaar Ki Duniya?
Ashutosh Rana: Raghavendra Rathore
Q. What is your take on Sarkaar Ki Duniya?
Ashutosh Rana: People generally think that if you're pretty or have special abilities, you're successful. In the show, extremely ordinary people are there and we make extraordinary leaders out of them. A man travelling in a Mercedes feels inferior and less successful if he loses the car. He forgets that it is he who got the Merc in the first place. We have become slaves of materialism. An East India Co is not ruling you today, but a Vodafone is. Or an electricity board is. One day if the lights go out suddenly, there could be fights in the house. They rule our minds. So, in the show, we want the participants to start from the basics. There is no electricity on the island in Goa. They don't have a shower in the bathroom – they have to push a lever for water, use a handpump too. They have to dig a well for water. Yes, after all, it is for a booty of Rs 1 crore – money which can make you or break you.
Q. Are you as successful today as you wanted to be?
Ashutosh Rana: People still remember Dushman and Sangharsh. Until we don't have money, we think success is not there. But I work at my pace. I have a car, a house, and business class travel. Ashutosh is working in recession, when the whole world is at home. I think that speaks for itself. You should hold on and save your energies for longevity.
Q. But are there roles left to play yet in your mind?
Ashutosh Rana: Yes, like I'd said before, I'd like to play Chanakya. But I also wish to play Lord Krishna and Ravana, as well as Swami Vivekanda and Ramkrishna Paramhansa. But these movies are not happening.
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Q. So then, would you take up direction to play your dream role?
Ashutosh Rana: No direction for me as of now. I'm a labourer, not an architect. I can only build according to the blueprint, not create the blueprint itself. God wants me to wait for the right film. Like a man wants his girlfriend to wear certain things to make her look good, God wants you to go through certain things to get his love, and the things you want.
Q. You recently shot for Hook Ya Crook in Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. What is your role in it?
Ashutosh Rana: I play a high-security jail's warden who loves cricket, and makes the inmates play it.
Q. So, do you actually love cricket and are you excited about the IPL?
Ashutosh Rana: I love cricket. In this country, anybody can be a cricketer or an actor. But I'm not excited about the IPL. It's more like club cricket – they're all not Indians playing. The elections are far more important for me – they're our need, obligation and passion. Elections should be the biggest festival for us.
Q. What are your forthcoming films?
Ashutosh Rana: Apart from Hook Ya Crook, there's Monica which is a political thriller.
Q. There you go. So will you enter politics someday? You're a good orator as well.
Ashutosh Rana: No, never. A politician follows the masses (for votes), but the masses follow a nayak (hero) – which is what I am. A politician should never be a good orator. He should do more and speak less.
Q. What next in your life?
Ashutosh Rana: I dunno. I don't make my life a calendar.
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