INTERVIEW
A Contract to remember

Srabanti Chakrabarti talks to Adhvik Mahajan from Jalandhar, who played the lead in
Ram Gopal Varma’s latest film

Adhvik Mahajan sports a lean, mean look in Ram Gopal Varma’s Contract.

I come from a middle class family of Jalandhar. Both my parents are working. When I spoke to my parents about my desire to act in films, they encouraged me though no one in our family is even distantly connected with this industry. I studied at Apeejay College in Jalandhar and particiated in lot of theatre activities in the college. I came to Mumbai last year and made many rounds of the offices of different producers. I am lucky that Ram Gopal Varma gave me this opportunity.

Yes. After going through my portfolio, Ram Gopal Varma narrated me the script. He explained me the character and what he expected from the lead actor. But the real struggle came later. For nearly three months, I had to undergo innumerable rounds of looks, voice and screen tests. Only after I cleared all these, he signed me for Contract. I had to gain seven kilograms and sport a tan for a lean, mean look for this film.

I play the role of Aman, a boy from a lower middle class family. Due to a wrong decision, Aman finds his life in a mess. He reaches a point of no return. The film is set amid the backdrop of the underworld.

In one underwater scene, I had to hold the jet ski on the one hand and do something else with the other. Suddenly, the current pulled me in a different direction and I found myself being sucked into the water ie that acting is not just about emoting and uttering dialogues. A lot more preparation is needed to go into it. He is always open to fresh ideas. He even takes suggestions from spot boys.

Ram Gopal Varma’s films are known for their action scenes. I had a close shave with death. In one underwater scene, I had to hold a jet ski in one hand while my other hand was occupied. Suddenly, the current pulled me in the opposite direction and I found myself being sucked into the water in mid-ocean. That is when I realised that action scenes are not about how strong you are. These have more to do with your guts.

I am a greedy person. I want to have the best of everybody — Aamir Khan’s perfection, Shahrukh Khan’s energy, Abhishek Bachchan’s intensity and Hrithik Roshan’s physique and style.