alternative bollywood movies
Courtesy: IndiaFM
Friday, June 09, 2006
Like many of his contemporaries, Bikram Saluja too took the leap from modeling to acting with Fiza some years back. But somewhere along the way his career began slumping. On the other hand, the careers of fellow models like Arjun Rampal, John Abraham and Dino Morea have progressed by leaps and bounds. But Bikram is not disheartened. He still has a fighting spirit and is determined to give his best.
Also, Bikram might be the only model who doesn't mind putting on weight. But that's for his role in his next film Marathon. IndiaFM had a tÊte-À-tÊte with the actor.
What
have
you
been
up
to
off
late?
Offers
have
been
there.
But
I
have
to
choose
what
I
want
to
do.
It
doesn't
matter
if
the
role
is
small
or
big.
It
just
has
to
be
nice.
Tell
us
something
about
Marathon.
This
is
a
story
about
five
people
from
different
walks
of
life.
The
Marathon
becomes
a
means
for
them
to
prove
a
point
to
themselves
as
well
as
to
others
around
them.
The
characters
range
from
an
industrialist,
a
sportsman,
a
college
student
and
also
a
villager.
What character do you play?
I play an industrialist who is extremely ambitious and focused. He got involved with his family business very early because of the demise of his parents. He took the responsibility of carrying the flagship ahead. Once he joins the business, he realizes that the company is deep in debts. For 10 years, he has single handedly worked to clear the debts. There is a project which has been his dream. He is very close to achieving it. However, because of one circumstance, he is unable to get investors. That's how the Marathon comes into the picture. He takes it up as a challenge to prove a point to the investors. He's extremely overweight. That raises a question in the mind of the investors. It's about how he goes about losing weight and running the 42 kms.
So
did
you
put
on
weight
for
the
role?
I
would
have
loved
to
put
on
weight
for
the
role.
But
they
wanted
me
to
put
on
40
kilos,
in
a
short
time
span
which
wasn't
possible.
From
the
time,
the
script
was
narrated,
to
the
time
the
film
went
on
floors;
I
just
had
about
2
months.
So
we
used
a
body
suit
and
prosthetics
to
make
it
look
as
real
as
possible.
To
add
some
more
authenticity,
I
used
weights
on
my
legs,
which
would
make
my
walk
look
heavier.
So
you
have
experimented
with
a
variety
of
looks
in
the
film..
Yes
one
look
is
the
very
'fat'
look.
Then
there
is
a
medium
sized
look.
Finally,
there
is
the
normal
look.
So
there
are
three
different
looks.
Which
part
of
the
character
did
you
enjoy
playing
most?
I
enjoyed
playing
the
obese
guy.
But
the
make
up
would
really
try
my
patience.
I
had
to
sit
for
hours
to
get
the
make
up
done.
In
the
heat
I
was
made
to
wear
a
body
suit.
Also
the
prosthetic
used
to
be
stuck
to
my
skin.
So
after
a
while,
it
gets
to
you.
I
enjoyed
it,
but
also
wanted
to
get
over
with
it.
What
finally
made
you
accept
the
role?
I
was
out
of
town
when
this
role
was
offered
to
me.
The
director
emailed
the
script
to
me.
The
entire
concept
of
the
film
was
very
appealing.
It's
a
fresh
way
of
looking
at
things.
The
sensibility
is
urban
and
also
rural
because
of
one
the
character's
is
a
villager.
It's
very
real
film
and
doesn't
appear
unbelievable.
I
could
relate
to
the
film.
Do
you
relate
to
the
character
in
the
film?
I
could
relate
to
the
fact
that
he
is
a
workaholic.
He
going
all
out
to
achieve
his
dream
is
similar
to
me.
I
could
not
relate
to
his
ill
health,
though!
Fitness
is
a
way
of
life
for
me.
I
guess
you
have
to
use
your
imagination
to
play
the
character.
Have
you
participated
in
the
Mumbai
Marathon?
The
first
year,
I
was
supposed
to,
but
could
not
because
of
my
work
commitments.
The
second
year
I
was
present
at
the
event
but
did
not
run
because
of
my
injured
knee.
Luckily
I
had
finished
my
running
portions
of
the
film.
I
hope
to
participate
next
year.
It
is
such
an
experience
because
of
the
excitement
in
the
air.
It
feels
like
a
carnival
and
reflects
the
spirit
of
the
city.
How
was
it
working
with
Nausheen?
I
didn't
have
too
many
scenes
with
her.
But
it
was
very
comfortable
because
she
is
very
easy
going.
We
worked
out
the
scenes
together,
because
ultimately
teamwork
shows.
We
kept
on
giving
each
other
suggestions.
So
there
were
no
hassles.
How
is
it
that
you
are
so
choosy
about
your
work?
Even
I
want
to
do
a
lot
of
work.
But
unfortunately
a
lot
of
work
offered
to
me
is
not
so
good
in
terms
of
the
banner
and
also
the
sensibilities.
I
could
be
working
365
days
a
year!
But
then
the
kind
of
films
would
spoil
my
name
which
has
taken
so
long
to
build.
Also
I
was
not
proud
enough
to
do
a
lot
of
the
films
offered.
I
don't
want
to
do
films
on
the
cost
of
compromising
what
I
believe
in.
It's
not
like
Marathon
is
a
big
film.
But
at
least
the
endeavor
to
make
something
fresh
is
there.
At
least
it
will
get
promoted
and
the
artists
will
get
their
due.
What
product
you
are
associated
with
is
important.
Have
you
seen
yourself
grow
as
an
actor,
over
the
years?
Growth
is
definitely
there.
Your
experiences
add
to
the
actor
in
you.
I
have
done
theatres.
I
think
I
have
the
basic
grounding
for
an
actor.
It's
for
the
audience
to
say
how
much
I
have
grown.
But
I
think
I
have
improved
in
terms
of
my
confidence.
My
approach
is
also
different
in
the
sense
that
I
believe
in
what
I'm
doing.
I
am
not
insecure
to
do
anything
offered
to
me.
I
always
work
towards
being
as
natural
as
possible.
Improvement
is
showing
in
my
work.
Hopefully,
I
will
be
able
to
expand
my
horizons.
Tell
us
about
the
music
of
the
film.
Unfortunately,
I
haven't
heard
all
the
songs.
My
story
does
not
intersect
with
any
other
story.
My
part
is
the
love
song,
which
is
nice.
It
grows
on
you.
But
I
know
there
are
variations
in
the
music.
The
title
track
is
very
inspirational.
Then
there
is
a
hip
hop
track
and
an
emotional
track
as
well.
What
is
the
USP
of
the
film?
I
think
it
is
freshness.
It
does
not
use
the
tried
and
tested
formula.
Although
it
does
not
have
a
big
banner
or
big
stars,
it
is
trying
to
say
something
in
a
new
way.
What
are
your
expectations
from
the
film?
I
don't
expect
anything.
Why?
I
only
expect
myself
to
work
hard
and
do
justice
to
the
role.
The
films
release
and
promotions
are
not
in
my
hands.
The
final
decision
is
in
the
hands
of
the
audience.
I
hope
people
go
and
see
it
because
it
is
not
a
pirated
film
from
a
Hollywood
production.
It's
not
like
someone
picked
up
a
Hollywood
DVD,
copied
it
scene
to
scene
and
then
claimed
to
have
made
a
great
film.
Somebody
has
used
her
brains
and
imagination.
What
kind
of
films
do
you
want
to
do?
Anything
that
is
good.
I
like
intense
stuff.
Unfortunately,
I
haven't
been
offered
anything
like
that.
I
guess
here
people
frame
you
with
what
work
you
have
done.
Unfortunately
for
me,
there
was
a
three
year
gap
between
my
first
and
second
film
because
of
my
films
being
stuck.
I
have
done
simple
kind
of
roles.
So
people
judge
me
by
that.
I
think
I
have
the
potential.
Hopefully,
one
role
might
just
show
what
I
have.
I
just
have
to
hang
in
there
till
then
and
do
the
stuff
that
is
offered.