Exclusive! Industry Actor Lakshya Kochhar On Nepotism, "You Have To Fight The Odds"

Lakshya Kochhar, who has been a part of multiple OTT shows, was recently seen in the series Industry which started streaming on Amazon mini TV. The show revolves around the film industry, and Lakshya plays the role of Rocky Wadhwani, a star kid. Filmibeat recently spoke to Lakshya about the response he is getting for the show, nepotism in the industry, and more...

Industry has started streaming, so what response are you getting for your performance in the show?

The response has been really warm. People are saying great things about the show and my character. Everyone is finding it really funny and heart-breaking at the end. There's a certain journey and arch; people are relating to his struggles and empathizing with the character which is actually not very likable in the beginning, so that's a victory for the writers and the director. I am very excited and happy with the kind of response I am getting. Bambai Meri Jaan also received great reviews, but here because of the length of my role and the impact, the reviews are even nicer and bigger which is very exciting. I am very happy and the team is very happy.

How was the experience of playing a star kid?

It was great, but playing a star kid it has its own challenges. I am working in an industry where I have seen star kids all around me. I have seen what privileges and disadvantages they come with. So, it was nice to channel that, and challenge myself as an actor to portray something that is so different from my own life and experiences.

Did you take any reference of a star kid while preparing for your role?

No specific reference, but there's so much content over the years on social media, on Twitter, YouTube, and their lives are very public. So, it's an amalgamation of everything that I have seen growing up over generations. So, I picked up a little bit from wherever I felt it was easy and comfortable, and made a character of my own.

Do you feel nepotism exists in the industry?

Of course, it does, but it's not just in the film industry specifically, it exists in all the industries. I don't think there's a problem with that, it is absolutely okay. You know the rules of the game before you start playing it, so you know about the advantages that people within the industry get. Nobody forced me to become an actor, you become an actor by your choice. I cannot sit an say that 'Oh this is not happening because of this'. You have to fight the odds and make it happen if you love what you do.

A lot of actors have spoken up about how they were replaced by a star kid or by another famous actor in a project, have you faced something like that?

Yes, that's the most common practice. It's in our show also, you get replaced by A-listers a lot, you get replaced by people who have done projects more than you. But, I only find it fair because there's a reasoning to it. They have done more work, so they can shoulder a project, there's more trust value there. Also, they come with a certain audience that they have build for themselves, so there's a logic as to why they are preferred over newcomers. I have faced the same, but luckily or sadly for that guy, that project never got made. But, yes I was replaced from a project and it was heart-breaking at that point.

Tell us something about your upcoming projects?

I am contemplating to shoot a film in October, and there's a show which is also lined up around the same time. I can't talk too much about it, but there are some interesting things that are coming. In a industry like this, the success and failure of your last project, defines your next. So, I am quite excited about Industry and what it will do for me.