His caller tune is still vizhiyile en vizhiyile from his last movie Ainthu Ainthu Ainthu that was released in August. Ask Bharath, of Boys fame, why has he not changed it to a song from his upcoming maiden Bollywood movie Jackpot and he cites his busy schedule as the reason. After returning from his honeymoon in Europe, he got busy shooting for the Malayalam movie Koothara in Kochi, which stars veteran Mohanlal in a guest role. He recently signed two Tamil movies to be directed by Senthil Kumar and Ravi. Bharath talks about his debut Bollywood film Jackpot that released this Friday and life after marriage.
How did Jackpot happen?
The director Kaizad Gustad saw my work in Ainthu Ainthu Ainthu and liked it. He told me that he was looking for a guy with Goan looks and thought that I would fit the bill. I really did not know who he was and when I spoke to people in the industry and googled his work, I got to know his last movie, Boom , was done ten years ago and I liked it as well. I also agreed to do Jackpot because it was an opportunity to do a movie on the national platform alongside veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, whom I have admired since childhood.
What is your role in Jackpot ?
The movie is about four people who try to con one another for money. I am one of them and I play the role of a Goan — Anthony D’souza from Puducherry. I suggested to the director to have Tamil and English words to make it sound more realistic , which he agreed to.
How did you manage with Hindi? It was said that Dhanush gave you some tips on spoken Hindi.
I am not new to Hindi but it is different when you have to mouth dialogues. So I underwent ten days training in spoken Hindi. Yes, I also contacted Dhanush as he had just done the necessary homework for Raanjhanaa. He did give me tips on improvisation of dialogues and how to go about the lines.
Any challenges you faced during the shoot?
Not really, except in delivering the lines in Hindi initially. There was some pressure working with Naseeruddin sir. Having a theatre background, his method and approach to acting is very different. I learnt a lot from him. I used to watch his movies when I was not shooting.
How has life been after marriage?
I knew Jeshley for a couple of years before tying the knot. I have now become a responsible family man. Both of us respect our careers and give each other space. I have now signed on for two tamil movies that should release next year and talks are on for some Bollywood movies. Jeshley is my lucky charm. She accompanied me to the shoot at Kochi for my upcoming Malyalam movie — Koothara . Being a Malayalee, she helped me with pronunciation. Jeshley is very excited about Jackpot .
Five years from now, where do you plan to be?
I wish to keep doing more movies — at least three in a year.
