Bhuvan Arora: Shahid Kapoor would video call his kids everyday after pack-up on Farzi sets, it taught me the value of family – Exclusive – Times of India

Shahid Kapoor’s bromance with Bhuvan Arora in ‘Farzi’ left the audience looking out for their own BFFs! Their candid camaraderie while casually counterfeiting Indian currency was one of the highlights of the series. Having landed in Mumbai in 2012, Bhuvan has worked his way to the top with cameos, supporting acts and promising performances. In a tête-à-tête with ETimes, Bhuvan spilled the beans on life after ‘Farzi’, playing Firoz, brotherhood with Shahid and much more. Excerpts:

What has changed after the success of ‘Farzi’?

I haven’t had the time to sit and reflect since the show was released. Life has been on autopilot because there is so much happening around me, so much love is pouring in. And it is very new for me. I am loving this phase but after a few months, when this madness will settle down, I will sit by myself and see how I exactly felt.

What kind of response have you received from the industry?
A lot of people have messaged me, filmmakers, producers have been kind enough to call me for meetings and congratulated me. Karan (Johar) sir, Ramesh Taurani ji and a lot of directors have also messaged me.

How would you describe Sunny and Firoz beyond the camera?
I have a very brotherly bond with Shahid bhai. If you spend 60 days of your life with somebody, that too when you are confined during COVID, you are bound to create a bond with them. We were all working out, eating, and hanging out together. Shahid bhai has been very accommodating and welcoming all the time.

How close are you to your character Firoz in real life?
Any actor doing any role, always amplifies a bit of his personality in the character he is playing on screen. I am not going to say that I am extremely different from Firoz in real life, but there is a part of me that relates to him. The bond that I have with Sunny in the show, is the kind of bond I have with my friends in real life. I am definitely good with investments and so was Firoz. So there are a few traits, so I would say I am 30 percent Firoz and 70 percent me.

Can you shed some light on your decade-long journey in front of the camera?
I have been a hustler all my life and I don’t think that will change. I am very restless as a person and would dress up and go for auditions every single day. I would stand in queues for hours and hours, with 70-80 others, waiting to know if I would fit or not. I did this for over a year. I had a small role in my first film Shuddh Desi Romance, but people noticed me and it has been pretty smooth after that. Everybody who saw, called me for something else and the stone has been rolling since then.

How did you dodge the feeling of failure?
I have faced a lot of failures and rejections, I think it is a part of every actor’s journey. The day I decided to become an actor, I knew this was happening. Honesty, there is no use abusing the industry if I don’t get any work, it is not going to bring any work to me. I still have to go out and hustle, so there is no point feeling negative. And I have enjoyed the process till date. I never thought of quitting, I have strong commitment issues (laughs). But I have never liked the word struggle either, I prefer the word aspiring.

Please share which movies did you audition for?
I have auditioned for a lot of movies. In my journey of nine years, I have easily given 5000 auditions, because I would step out every single day for multiple auditions. I would do back to back auditions and forget about them. Even if I don’t make it, I didn’t have time to mull over it. I remember ‘Kai Po Che’ was one of the first few films that I auditioned for. I also auditioned for ‘Fukrey’ and I also met the director for ‘Victoria & Abdul’. I had auditioned for ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’, but I didn’t get the movie, but casting director Shanoo Sharma loved my audition and she straight away offered me ‘Shuddh Desi Romance’.

What has been the biggest takeaway after working with Shahid?
He is like an elder brother to me now. I love the way he is with his family. He is so caring and giving. To go back while shooting for ‘Farzi’, I remember we would wrap the day and come back to the hotel, Shahid would immediately sit by the pool and video call his kids. He has given a lot of time and effort to his family, that is something which I have learnt from him. As much as we prioritize our work, we shouldn’t neglect our families. He is also very secure as a person and always thinks about the betterment of his team. When you think from that point of view, there is no question of the camaraderie not working. And he constantly thinks of the betterment of a scene. I have told him many times that the little gestures he did as Sunny, helped me bring out the Firoz that I did. And today, all the love that I am getting, I have to share it with Raj & DK and Shahid bhai.

What is the final word on the ‘Farzi’ sequel?
I am hoping it happens soon and I need it badly too. There is going to be season two of ‘Farzi’, but it will take time. Raj and DK will not start shooting until they are 100 percent sure of the script. The sequel is being developed and Raj and DK are also busy with their other work like ‘Citadel’ and ‘The Family Man’, so ‘Farzi 2’ will take time.

After the success of ‘Farzi’, are you being discerning about your projects?
Thankfully, I am being approached by a lot of people but I am being careful in terms of what I choose. So I am extensively reading a lot of stuff and meeting a lot of people. And whatever I choose next, it has to be something very cool and better than what I have done before.