Actor Anuj Saini, who has worked in various advertisements and music videos, makes his film debut in Rajkumar Santoshi’s Gandhi Aur Gosse Ek Yud. In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, he recalls his nervousness when he first met the film director. (Also Read: Tushar Gandhi Reacts to Gandhi Godse – Ek Yudh)
“That was the first time Rajkumar told his film story. When I first met Lord Rajkumar Santoshi, I was meeting a legendary filmmaker, so I was very nervous. What should I say?But as soon as I sat down, he made me feel so comfortable that I felt like I had known him for ten years. made me feel like his son – a mentor and an industry father.”
Anuj also said that Rajkumar is very cool on set, calm and composed and knows exactly what he wants from an actor. “He gives narration and tells you how and what to do. His style of narration is so unique that even the most difficult scenes look like cake. He starves to perfection.” He is also very patient.”
The film also marks the debut of Rajkumar’s daughter Tunisha Santoshi, who is paired with Anuj. Asked about working with the director’s daughter, he said, “Chunisha Santoshi is there, but she was treated like anyone else[on set]. No one could say it was a daughter, and there was never a moment when I remembered that she was the director’s daughter.”
“She was very down-to-earth, down-to-earth, hardworking and didn’t seem like she was working on her first film. She was treated like I was.”
Gandhi Aur Godse Ek Yudh explores the heated debate between two very different ideologies, Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse. The film is set in a world where Gandhi survives Godse’s attack and meets him in prison to discuss ideology.
Anuj was asked about the film’s controversial topic if he was skeptical of backlash or criticism. . It’s a pure, content-oriented movie. I wasn’t skeptical about the topic at all because I knew we were depicting facts. “
Elaborating on his role in the film, Anuj said: It was hard to adjust to their way of speaking, their body language and everything else. Thanks to workshops, rehearsals and the guidance of (Rajkumar) Santoshi sir, I was able to overcome this challenge. It was a good experience where I learned a lot. “
Anuj has also worked with stars such as Janhvi Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in various advertisements. Recalling his experience, he said: She was in a scooty and I was sitting behind her. Throughout, she constantly asked me if I was okay. Then she shot an ad with Janhvi and sat in every corner of the room during breaks. When someone from Dharma (production) came to see her, she introduced me to that person. She didn’t have to, but she did. That’s how well behaved, polite and grounded they are. “
He also recalled that Pankaj Kapoor stood on set for six to seven hours while filming an ad. I did.”
Anuj also shared the difficulties of being an outsider in the film industry. It’s intense, everyone is very talented, and if you don’t know anyone, it can take six months, and sometimes years, to set up a meeting.”
He said, “I don’t blame it, but it’s hard. This was the biggest challenge I faced. Of course, I also learned that I have to keep working hard and improve my skills. If there is, you can’t hide it.”