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| Edited By: Chaya Unnikrishnan |Source: DNA |Updated: Aug 17, 2018, 06:00 AM IST
Maniesh Paul will be seen in a short film titled Black Briefcase, for the first time. The popular TV host, known for his gift of the gab, has absolutely no dialogues in it. Moreover, he essays the role of a man, who faces a moral dilemma when entrusted with a mission to carry out blasts in the city. Maniesh shares his experience of attempting such an intense role.
I was looking for something to try and reinvent myself. Actually, whatever films I have done till now, I have tried to be different. Even on TV, though I have been hosting shows, I always try to create variety and that’s the reason I’ve been anchoring for so long. My brother Vevek Paul and I have produced Black Briefcase under our banner Cinemaddicts9. We decided ki hum kuchh alag film banayenge where I play a grey character. That’s when my brother met director Kartik on a flight. The latter was the one who came up with the idea of this short.
(Laughs) Initially, my character was supposed to have some dialogues, but we decided against that. We thought that I should just emote without any lines. Frankly, I love to talk, but while shooting, I told people on the sets not to converse with me. If I did, then punches nikal aate and I didn’t want to do that, I wanted to be in character. I didn’t even talk to my wife while filming. I told her I won’t be calling her from the sets. She is always a huge support for me. So, she would just message me asking if all was fine and tell me to focus on my work.
Obviously, it wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t difficult either. I did not prep for four or five months. But, yes, so far, the films that I’ve done have been light and funny. This was in a different zone. First, I had to work on my look. I like to dress dapper and wear suits, etc. And my hair is always in place. But for Black Briefcase, I had to sport a grungy, unkempt look. I shopped for clothes from places like Sadar Bazaar in Delhi. Also, I didn’t take a bath for a few days. My character had to look tired and haggard. I know one can achieve that look with make-up, but I wanted it to be realistic. Even the body language of a person who hasn’t slept is different. So, I napped only for an hour or so for four days. I didn’t use my vanity van and did not want any luxury on the sets. So, I sat on the stairs of shops in the lanes of Delhi where we shot. I just wanted to be in character. And as an actor, I enjoyed the process.
I’m having a really good time and even the show is getting good feedback.
Judges ke saath, I’m having a lot of fun. But the show is all about singing and this time, we have got brilliant singers. They are on another level. What’s more, I sometimes join the participants in singing, too. In fact, recently, Gurdas Maan had visited the sets. I’m his huge fan. I have grown up on his songs and my mom is also a big fan. On the show, he was going to sing Ki Banu Duniya Da. When I told him it’s my favourite song, he said ‘Aap bhi gaao mere saath’. No one in the team knew about it and when I joined him, it was a big surprise for everybody on the sets.
(Cuts in) Yes, all of us on the tour have become like a family. I shared a great rapport with everyone, be it Katrina (Kaif) or Jacqueline (Fernandez). The videos have gone viral. Bhai, of course, has always been a huge support and I’ve learnt a lot from him. I got a call to host his Da-Bangg show when I was anchoring Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. At that time, I had fractured my hand and was using a sling. Naturally, I panicked and told the team about my condition. They said, ‘Don’t worry, this will happen next year, too’. I was overjoyed and decided that if I’ve to go with Salman sir, I’ve to not only be as fit as him but also build my physique in such a way that I’m able to go on the stage shirtless like him! Touch wood, he loves my work and is a major inspiration for me to be fit.
