Introducing Tushar Jalota

By: Reshma Kelkar, Mid-Day
Friday, September 08, 2006
The Bhatts have been instrumental in introducing new young talents in Bollywood. Emraan Hashmi, Kunal Khemu and Kangana Ranaut are a few names from their recent list. Tushar Jalota is the latest add-on. This 23 year old plays the lead role in Vishesh Films next venture Showbiz.

Tushar plays a drummer and singer in Showbiz, which is to be directed by the choreographer-turned-director Raju Khan. Speaking about the film he says, "Showbiz is about a middle class boy, who becomes a star overnight. It depicts the dark side of the showbiz world in which media plays an important role. It's a take on media. It shows how media makes money through making a star and gets even more by ruining them."

Talking about his role he says, "I play a middle class guy, who is a drummer and becomes a star overnight. He is today's youth, who respects his values. It's about how his life changes after achieving stardom. The movie also talks about the dark side of the fame. It's an issue based film. This is an interesting character and a perfect role to start my career with."

Being launched by Vishesh films is a big thing for Tushar as he shares a special bond with the banner and Bhatts. He says, "I had never thought of becoming an actor as I started off in very young age. After completing my 12th I wanted to utilize my vacations so my best friend Vishesh Bhatt suggested me to assist Mahesh Bhatt. I joined him just to get an experience. I started with films like Gunaah, Saaya, Murder, Zeher and then Kalyug. I started enjoying my work and I was paid well for the same too. So I became more dedicated towards it."

Apparently, Tushar landed up becoming an actor which was unplanned. Talking about his journey from behind the camera to in front of camera he reveals, "It was Mahesh Bhatt who suggested launching me through his banner. He appreciates my potential and thought that I should be in films. He had suggested this during the shoot of Zeher but subsequently Kalyug and other films happened and he got busy. Now they are all set to start shooting Showbiz by the end of this month."

Tushar doesn't have any experience of acting. Coming from a non filmy background he feels, "Acting is something that I have never done before. It was new to me. Mr Bhatt thought that I should be trained in acting so I was enrolled in Anupam Kher's acting school and I did a three months acting course. It was a fantastic experience. I have also worked with Mr. Kher during the making of Tumsa Nahi Dekha."

When asked about his association with Bhatts he quickly replies "It's been a great experience of four years now. They have created stars like Aftab Shivdasani, Emraan Hashmi, Kunal Khemu and Kangana Ranaut. Now it's my turn to live up to their expectations. Both are great to work with. They are extremely helpful to newcomers. They give you entire freedom to learn and grow. I wouldn't be here without their support. It's been a great learning experience. I have learned everything from the pre-production to post production of a movie through Bhatts."

Coming back to Showbiz he says, "I have worked with Raju Khan and we know each other quite well. I am involved in scripting and casting of the film as well. Since I know filmmaking, it's quite easy for me to understand technicalities of a film. I am very excited and nervous as well. I was behind the camera for years but facing camera would be a different experience. I am on a different high now. I would like to continue with acting and am open to different kinds of role that interests me as an actor. I haven't signed any other movie yet as I want to concentrate only on Showbiz now", he signs off.

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