DNA Exclusive - Kumud Mishra: Acting pulled me out of depression

Actor Kumud Mishra, who has been working in theatre since a long time, has also given some memorable performances in Bollywood. The actor was last seen in 'Ram Singh Charlie', where he impersonated the legendary comedian of all time, Charlie Chaplin.

In a fun, hearty and elated mood, Kumud Mishra spoke to DNA about his love for theatre, the reaction on Bollywood as a whole under the radar, and many other topics.

He shared details about his phase of depression and how it was the very profession he loves - acting - that snapped him out of the phase. He said that it was actually his father, also a veteran theatre artist (who worked in the play Ram-Leela), who asked him to attend an acting workshop. The day changed Kumud Mishra's life.

Here are some excerpts from the interview:

How has the lockdown been for you?

It was good for me actually. I love being at home so the lockdown didn't affect me much. In general and economically, many have struggled.

What was your first reaction on hearing that you would play Charlie Chaplin in Ram Singh Charlie?

It is difficult for any actor actually. We have all copied him casually at some point in our lives, but it difficult to impersonate him. It was a great part for me as an actor, but of course, it was difficult. I was worried until the scenes were shot. Even after the film released, I felt that so much more could have been done.

When were you offered the script?

Long back. It was after we finished filming Filmistaan. I happened to actually learn about it at a kids' birthday party. I had a great experience working with him, so when he offered me the script I was anyway considering it. And then when I read the script, I got to know that no actor could refuse.

In an interview, you said that like Ram Singh Charlie was relatable to you in real life. Did that also play an important role in you picking the film?

Not really. Every actor tries to relate to a script, so that's what happened with me also. Honestly, my father was also a theatre artist who actually brought me back from depression. I was in a military school in Bhopal. I didn't have any friends at that time, so I wouldn't get out of the room. My father would want me to get out of the room. The first time that I came out of the house was during an acting workshop. So, what I want to say is that real and reel life are inter-connected in the sense that you take your experience both ways.

Will it be right to say that acting pulled you out of depression?

It does. Acting has helped me a lot. I was compassionate for it and it was my choice so naturally, it took me to better places.

With cinema halls opening, do you also see people go and watch movies in the theatre?

The situation will only get better if we as a society become more responsible. It is important to open theatres and cinema halls because the profession indirectly helps many people. Only when people behave responsibly, we can see the condition improving. I'm also going back on sets from 15th.

You also switched from theatres to Bollywood. Now you have also been part of the industry for a very long time. There have been many allegations on it recently. What was your reaction when that happened?

Every day, there are new allegations. What can I even say? People have been generalizing. If somebody says that the country is bad, it is not anybody's problem and yet everybody's problem. It is very easy to generalize but if you have to solve a problem then hit the problem. I personally don't think the whole industry should be blamed. Lakhs of people work in the industry. Even with cigarettes, 10 people could smoke, but 90 might not, so blaming the whole society is not fair. There should be debate and discussion, but there needs to be a right intention for it. If you go to court and randomly scream that the industry is bad then nobody would take that person seriously. You are actually being unfair to people who are trying not to be bad. There are many cases from a particular state every day, but you cannot blame the whole state for it, right? I think there should be a healthy discussion on these topics rather than abusive behaviour. People who have influence are doing more harm to society.

Did you actively pursue projects or they come to you?

I'm not that ambitious actually. I love theatre and thus I have stuck to that. I would work on TV for the money. The only contribution for all the work that came my way, was that I was prepared for it because of the works I had been working a lot. I am very bad at auditions like probably one out of five auditions might have been selected.

Now that you have explored acting at large, are you ready to take the next step like direction or production?

I have not achieved anything as an actor. I still have a long way to go. It's a myth that you have achieved something. You cannot live on your past glory. Every character brings a new challenge. I find direction very difficult so I don't think I would want to take that up. I feel like my journey as an actor has just begun.

Have you been offered new projects during the lockdown?

I have a film with Yash Raj and a web series.