BIRD ON A WIRE

SIKANDAR KHER GETS INTO AN INTROSPECTIVE MOOD WITH TANZIM PARDIWALLA, WHO DILIGENTLY JOTS DOWN HER FINDINGS

“You’re not easing into it, you’re Jumping into the deep end. This conversation will become about mental health,”

Sikandar Kher mock-complains as I ask him the simplest question: How is life treating you? He goes on to tell me that life treats him the way it treats everyone – it has its day. It’s not all good or all bad. And I have to agree. The actor began his career as Yash Chopra’s third assistant director on Dil Toh Pagal Hai before he served as Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s second assistant director on Devdas. He went on to make his acting debut with Woodstock Villa and that’s how he started creating a universe of intense, occasionally funny, and endearing men. It wasn’t always a smooth ride, but it has had its highlights. In his latest show, Chidiya Udd, he plays a bad guy – the son of a local kingpin (played by Jackie Shroff) in Mumbai’s red-light district. On our leisurely phone call after the show's release, Kher, in a particularly chatty mood, talks about his process, his upbringing, and being in the company of the industry's finest.

What was your first reaction to Chidiya Udd’s script?

It was a little dark and hectic, to be honest. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do another dark character. I like doing light stuff sometimes. But the script was good. The producers are people I’ve known. The director, Ravi Jadhav, is someone whose work I’ve admired. And Jackie Shroff was playing my father. I’ve known him since I was young. I liked the character. I was lucky that we all came together. The journey of filming was good. I’m happy they thought of me for it.

What was your experience of working with Jackie Shroff?