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'I'm an actor'

Finally, at 40 plus, it seems like Kumar Gaurav's second innings has actually started. In the news because of his performance in the late Mazhar Khan's much belated Gang, he has also acted in two rather slick telefilms -- Sikander and Chocolate, both directed by Vivek Agnihotri -- which are due for release soon.

He speaks of the experience in rather staccato bursts, as if unwilling to discuss a career noted, more than anything else, for its massive run of ill luck. For Bunty, as he is fondly known, is acknowledged as a fine actor. His very first film, Love Story, brought him adulation and bouquets in no mean measure. The industry pundits predicted that a star worth watching had been born.

Challenging roles like Janam and Naam followed, but he was unable to reactivate the audience's response to successful stars. Though everyone acknowledged his acting capabilities, his career petered out almost completely.

Life couldn't have been easy for this only son of jubilee star Rajendra Kumar. Bunty, who is also Sunil Dutt's son-in-law, also had to witness close friend and brother-in-law, Sunjay Dutt, succeed as a star despite his exploits and personal transgressions. Even as Gaurav, the actor, didn't quite take.

Kumar Gaurav spoke to Lata Khubchandani about the strange twists and turns in his life.

Tell us about Gang.

It's taken too long -- almost nine years to make -- but we've all believed in the film and we were all friends of Mazhar's, so it was a coming together of like-minded people. At the end of the day, I don't quite know how it'll work for the audiences, but we've had great team spirit during the making of the film.

It is not a typical formula film?

Well, it's not an art film. But if you mean has it got six songs and dances, no it doesn't. It's a commercial film though.

Did the fact that it was hanging fire for almost a decade act as a deterrent?

I can't say at this point. You have to see the film. I don't think it looks dated.

And your role?

It's about four friends, their life and times and what happens to them in a city like Bombay. It's a film about bonding.

You've also done two telefilms. How did that happen?

See, I'm an actor. It doesn't matter whether I perform for the small screen or the big one. As long as the script is inspiring and it motivates you to perform, what more can one want?

Sikander is based on history. How difficult was it?

It was exciting for me because I'm playing a grey character for the first time. The role is based on the character of Carlos. It's a film on terrorism.

Is working in a telefilm a different kind of experience?

The only problem is that the budgets are small so you're sort of doing work that fits into those production values -- as far as the acting is concerned, it's the same. It's a great effort to make something look cinematic despite it being on television, especially since it is not a soap. It's a telefilm; it follows the modus operandi of a film really.

And Chocolate?

That's a thriller too, but doesn't have as much action as Sikander. It's about four friends who go to Switzerland. A crime is committed there and you try to find out who's done it. Working with Vivek Agnihotri was fun because, unlike serial makers, he wants to make something slick-looking and different. Since there were no constraints of trying to please distributors, etc, he was able to cater to a niche, rather upmarket audience rather than an entire audience full of middle class values.

Your production company Chakra's first film was shelved. Why?

Everyone was not happy with the way it was working out so we decided to shelve it.

And now?

I'm working on some new scripts. I've realised I'm bad as a producer, so let's see what we'll do. I might be acting in a film -- it's in a state of consideration, but I am working on a production of my own. I might direct. I don't know yet.

And you advertising outfit, Colosseus?

It's doing very well. We're shooting music videos majorly. We've done almost 45 music videos.