In an exclusive interview with Zoom, Tejas Gaikwad opened up about his exciting journey from content creation to landing an important role in Visfot. He shared his experience of working alongside Bollywood legends like Riteish Deshmukh and Fardeen Khan, preparing for his character and his future goals in the film industry. Keep reading!
Unfiltered Tejas Gaikwad!
How does it feel to share the screen with Bollywood stars including Riteish Deshmukh and Fardeen Khan?
Sharing the screen with Bollywood stars such as Riteish Deshmukh and Fardeen Khan was both inspiring and challenging, pushing me to uplift my performance.
Can you share your journey from content creation to landing a role in Visfot?
My journey began with content creation, where I honed my skills and built my craft. Through dedication and networking, I landed a role in Visfot.
What drew you to the script ofVisfot, and how did it happen for you?
My friend received a call asking him to recommend someone for this role. He suggested my name, so I auditioned from home. Later, they asked me to come to their office for another audition. Two weeks later, I got a call from Mukesh Chhabra Casting, informing me I had been selected for the role. I was happy.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Tejas Deepak Deepti Gaikwad (@tejust_asach)
What was your first impression of working with Riteish Deshmukh and Fardeen Khan, and how did they help you during shooting?
Unfortunately, I didn’t get many scenes with Riteish sir, but I had a memorable one-day shoot with him. He was super generous, and Fardeen Khan sir introduced me to him, which was a pleasant surprise. I spent most of my time with Fardeen sir, who was always open to improvising. He’s a true actor. I’m so grateful for the opportunity!
Can you share any memorable moments or anecdotes from your time on set with these actors?
One day on set, I had to give a scared expression, but mid-take, I coughed out of nowhere and lost focus. The director called 'cut,' brought me to the monitor room, and scolded me. Just as I started feeling genuinely scared, he smiled and said, 'That’s the reaction I want!' Everyone burst out laughing, and it turned into a fun memory!
Tell us about your character, Peter in Visfot
The Peter I played is a Christian from Dongri, immersed in the city's dark underworld. Surrounded by drug addicts, he becomes the right-hand man of the gang leader, Manya.
How did you prepare for the role, and what research did you conduct to get into character?
Visfot is actually a remake of the Venezuelan film Rock! Paper! Scissors, with a twist in the climax to keep it intriguing. The associate producer narrated the story and my character to me, and once I got the script, I dove into character study and crafted Peter’s look. This experience taught me a lot about the importance of observation for an actor.
Can you share any interesting behind-the-scenes stories or challenges you faced during shooting?
Honestly, the toughest part was sitting in the vanity van for hours, doing nothing. But being on set was pure magic. It made me realise this is exactly where I belong. I’d even arrive before the call time because I loved it so much. Nothing else felt like a challenge.
What's next for you after Visfot? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you're excited about?
After Visfot, there’s nothing lined up yet, but I’m manifesting the next project with the same energy that broughtVisfot to me.
How do you see your content creation background influencing your future film projects?
On a film set, there’s the camera where I want to act, and in content creation, I get to do the same on my own terms. I’m refining my acting skills, aiming for more feature films to keep learning and growing.
Who are your biggest inspirations in the film industry, and how have they influenced your work?
I don’t have just one idol. I learn from all actors, regardless of their role or screen time. I believe observing each actor offers valuable lessons for my future in film. However, if I had to name a few, they’d be Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ashok Saraf and Pankaj Tripathi. Currently, I’m inspired by Rajkummar Rao, Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor.
Did you like our chat with Tejas? Let us know by tweeting at @TimesNow!