Rendezvous with Simi Garewal - Akshaye Khanna

Summary

In this heartfelt interview, a sensitive and accomplished Bollywood actor opens up about his journey in the film industry, his struggles with stardom, and his personal life. He discusses his natural talent for acting, his belief in self-expression, and the importance of being true to oneself. The actor reveals his vulnerable side, talking about his shy, introspective nature and his challenges in forming deep relationships. He reflects on his childhood, family dynamics, and his evolving perspective on love and commitment, all while navigating the complexities of fame and personal growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 The actor expresses modesty about his acting skills, saying he doesn’t think he’s a great actor and compares himself to the best in the world.
• 😀 He finds acting to be natural for him and does not have to work hard to get into character, emphasizing spontaneity over planning.
• 😀 The actor never had formal grooming for stardom and believes acting can’t truly be taught; his experience was more instinctual.
• 😀 His mother was initially surprised when he wanted to pursue acting but now feels proud of his achievements.
• 😀 At the age of 19, he found the sudden fame overwhelming and struggled with the expectations that came with it.
• 😀 The actor acknowledges having walls built around him for protection, which remain, though they have become more transparent over time.
• 😀 He describes himself as shy, often keeping his emotions bottled up, and admits to being more expressive on screen than in real life.
• 😀 The actor's parents' divorce at a young age shaped his understanding of relationships, and he believes in living for oneself rather than sacrificing happiness for others.
• 😀 Despite a privileged childhood, he often feels misunderstood and attributes this to the different perceptions people have of him.
• 😀 Love is important to him, but he has never been in a serious relationship and is wary of commitment, potentially due to his parents' experiences.
• 😀 He values authenticity and independence, preferring to find a partner who can make him laugh, as opposed to succumbing to the charms of his co-stars.

Q & A

Why does the actor believe he is not a good actor?

The actor feels that he is not a very good actor because he compares himself to the very best, both in Bollywood and globally. He believes his acting does not even come close to that level, although he tries to make it look natural.

How does the actor view acting in terms of effort and training?

The actor feels that acting comes naturally to him, and he does not need to work hard or undergo training to do it. He finds it spontaneous and not something that requires much effort or planning.

How does the actor describe his early career and stardom?

The actor describes his early career as overwhelming, especially at the young age of 19. He was not ready for the fame and the demands of the profession, and it felt like a blur to him.

What was the actor's relationship with his parents when he pursued acting?

The actor's mother was initially surprised and agitated when he expressed his desire to act, fearing it would be a repeat of a cycle. However, she later supported him and is now very proud of his career. His father did not seem surprised by his decision.

Did the actor face any challenges or criticisms when entering the industry?

Yes, the actor faced criticisms, including from Rishi Kapoor, who mentioned that the actor had an attitude problem despite being a talented actor. However, the actor does not deny having some attitude, though he values his relationships with people.

How does the actor handle his emotions in personal life?

The actor admits that he is very shy and tends to keep his feelings inside. He is not expressive with his emotions in his personal life, though he would like to change that.

How did the actor handle his parents' divorce at a young age?

The actor was very young when his parents divorced, and he didn’t fully understand what was happening. He did not remember being explained the situation but accepted it as it was. He believes that children often accept such changes quickly and later come to understand the deeper implications.

What is the actor’s view on relationships and love?

The actor views love as extremely important but is cautious when it comes to relationships. He believes in finding the right person and has a strong belief that people should live for themselves to be happy, which reflects in his cautious approach to love.

Why does the actor seem wary of making a commitment?

The actor has strong views on commitments, especially in marriage, where he believes that vows made about eternal love cannot be taken honestly. He feels conflicted about such lifelong commitments and prefers to avoid making promises that cannot be guaranteed.

How does the actor perceive his vulnerability?

The actor admits to being vulnerable and sensitive, particularly towards people close to him. He tries to be conscious of not hurting others but sometimes regrets his actions when he does. Despite this, he finds it freeing to apologize and move on.