Toofaan Actor Darshan Kumaar: 'Many People Are Unable To Recognize Me In The Film Due To My Clean Shaven Look' - EXCLUSIVE
Darshan Kumaar, who was recently seen in the Farhan Akhtar and Mrunal Thakur-starrer Toofaan, talks about the response his is getting for the film, his training as a boxer, working with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, The Family Man 3 and more
Darshan Kumaar is having a good year professionally till now as earlier he tasted success with The Family Man 2 and now, he is getting appreciation for his portrayal of a boxer in Farhan Akhtar and Mrunal Thakur-starrer Toofaan.
In an exclusive conversation with Spotboye.com, the actor gets candid about the response he is getting for the film, his training as a boxer, working with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, The Family Man 3 and more. Read excerpts from the interview:
Darshan, how has the response been from the audience till now for your portrayal in Toofaan?
The response is amazing and many people are unable to recognize me due to my clean-shaven look. As an actor, that’s a good sign and I feel lucky to be able to pull it off. My story in the film is about this boxer’s journey of coming back to boxing for revenge and how it unfolds. It explores the fire inside of a sportsperson and even people within the industry are messaging me to compliment me. A big director of our time messaged me that my eyes speak when I act and it’s magical, and that is a big compliment. ALSO READ: Farhan Akhtar's Fitness Coach Samir Jaura On Training The Actor For Toofan: 'It Was A Challenge As It Involved 3 Transitions'- EXCLUSIVE
So, how was the process of training for the role of a boxer in the film?
It was very tough. We started with a local trainer first but then came Darrell Foster sir in our life who has trained Will Smith and eight pro-champions before. The first thing he said to us was that he was going to teach us how to take a punch. And he clarified that he will train us as pro-boxers and we will get hurt and we should know how to take it. We were trained with national and international boxers who didn’t know how to act, so they would hit us for real thinking like we were their punching bags. Every night I would have blue and black marks on my body and even my nose would bleed a lot of times. ALSO READ: Darshan Kumaar On Why He Doesn’t Do Much Leading Roles: Unless You Do Films With A Big Producer Or Director, It Gets Lost - EXCLUSIVE
Rakeysh sir is one of those directors who is on every actor’s wish list. How was your experience being moulded by him?
I have always wanted to work with Rakeysh sir and when I got the call that he wanted to meet me, I was so excited. The way he narrated the script, I was in from the word go. I always wanted to do a film on boxing as I love that sport. In Mary Kom, I was the spectator, here I got to play. Rakeysh ji is the first director that I have met, who comes to you first and asks how would you like to play any scene. It’s a treat for an actor to get such treatment and liberty.
And how was Farhan as a co-star?
Farhan bhai is a sweetheart. He is a powerhouse of talent and a wonderful and kind human being. He always treated me as a younger brother, and not just me but all the boxers on the set. He would ask us if we needed any help and if we were doing okay. Being an athlete, I know how much hard work goes into maintaining a body that he had. He has really worked hard for this film putting his heart, blood and sweat into it and that made the morale of the entire unit very high.
Do you feel you are in a very good space professionally at the moment?
I am in a good space and I am getting good and diverse projects. I just finished two films as a lead, one with Zee Studios and the other is an edge-of-the-seat thriller with R Madhavan and Khushali Kumar. After that we started shooting for Aashram followed by The Family Man 3. I have also signed two more films. Things are shaping up in a good way.
So, has there been an update on The Family Man 3 shoot?
We were to start it in May-June but Raj and DK sir like to be in sync with the time, so they are rewriting it and once done, we’ll start with that.
Image source: instagram/darshankumaar/bollywood.posters.news/Youtube/AmazonPrimeVideoIndia/Focus PR
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