Rajesh Jais calls Boney Kapoor a walking directory of the film industry: ‘He has so many inside stories about films that you have never heard of’ – Exclusive – Times of India

Rajesh Jais, who has been a part of films like ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’, ‘Raazi’, ‘Airlift’ and others in his three-decade-old career, has successfully made a mark with his performances. The actor was last seen in Luv Ranjan’s ‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’ which has received positive reviews from the audience and critics alike. It has also done some good business at the box office. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, Rajesh opened up about working with Ranbir Kapoor and Boney Kapoor, recalled his initial days in the industry, and more. Excerpts…
Your last film, ‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’ has been doing well at the box office. How does it feel?

Yes the film is doing really well at the box office. It is really exciting to see this after a few years of lull because of the pandemic and no hits for a long span of time. I am happy that I was a part of the project.

How was your experience shooting for the movie?
It is always a treat to work for Luv Ranjan and associates. It’s like blind card for all the actors to rejoice, get pampered and be taken care of. I personally feel the need for such projects just to chill out and feel good to be part of something good. However, make no mistake, he is a strict director too.

How was it working with Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor?

I have worked with Ranbir Kapoor in the past too. I did ‘Rocket Singh: Salesman Of The Year’ in 2008 with him. So I knew him and he too remembered me well. He is a thorough professional and a very hard working actor. He respects his co-stars and gives them space to perform.

Boney Kapoor made his full-fledged acting debut in the movie. We all know him as the producer. How was it seeing him act?
I have worked with him on many projects in the past. I was a part of his 2004 film ‘Malini Iyer’ starring his late wife Sridevi. I also worked with him in ‘Mili’. However, this time, I actually got to know him more closely. He is a super cool person to spend time with. He is a walking directory of our film industry. He has so many interesting inside stories about many films that you have never heard of. Boney Kapoor is an institution. He is always jovial and has a very good sense of humour.

How and when did you decide that you wanted to make your career in acting?
Like many adolescents, I was also trying to do something meaningful with my life. I was trying to find an identity of my own. During my college years, I tried a variety of activities, including joining NCC Airwing and participating in gliding, aeromodelling, and shooting guns for 5 years. I specialised in shooting with a 12-bore rifle. I did journalism, learnt classical music, cleared exams for assistant commandant in the Coast Guard, and lieutenant in the Territorial Army, and finally found theatre as the most satisfying career, which subsequently led to acting. I joined the National School of Drama to hone my skills as an actor.

Tell us about your initial days in the industry…
After I passed out of the National School of Drama, my theatre friends from Delhi brought me to Mumbai. I shared one fully furnished apartment in Mumbai with Saurabh Shukla, director Vijay Krishna Acharya, director-actor Anil Choudhary, and late actor Jeetu Shastri.

It was Manoj Bajpayee who recommended me for my first job in Adi Pocha’s ‘Main Bhi Detective’. He was approached first, but he was unable to do it so he gave my name. Subsequently, I did Adi Pocha’s 1st daily soap of India, ‘Shanti’ where I played Nanu Jasoos, which incidentally became quite popular.

You have been in this industry for over three decades now. How do you look back at your journey so far?

My journey has been satisfying in many senses. I was someone who came from a small place like Ranchi, with no back up or place to go back to, and was dreaming to be an actor. Except for theatre, film industry, and Doordarshan, there was no other option available. It was very daring, but it paid off at the end of the day.

From amongst all the new generation of actors you have worked with, who do you think has a great potential?

I can’t displease many who will be left out then. But certainly, these new generation actors are very talented. They come prepared as professionals before venturing into acting. Many are well trained and educated to complement their passion for their jobs.

You have been a part of some very interesting and big banner films. Which is the one film or project that changed your career or is extremely close to your heart?

Yash Raj Films’ ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ with Shah Rukh Khan has impacted my life very positively. I also worked with SRK in an eight-series ad commercial for an OTT platform. Subject wise, it has to be Junglee Pictures’ and Dharma Productions’ ‘Raazi’ and Nikhil Advani’s ‘Airlift’.

Has nepotism, groupism and things like these ever posed as a hindrance in your career? How have you dealt with it?

Firstly, if at all these exist, it is closed room decisions charted by big bosses, so how would I know being an outsider? Secondly, nowadays there is plenty of work happening in Mumbai so it doesn’t matter at all to me. Tu nahi toh koi aur sahi, aur nahi koi aur sahi.

OTT has levelled the playing field for everyone. What are your thoughts on the same as an actor?

My latest projects, ‘Rana Naidu’, ‘Jehanabad’, ‘SK Sir Ki Class’ and ‘Tanaav’ all released on OTT platforms. The emergence of OTT has indeed changed the entire dynamics of industry. Writers, directors, actors, producers, technicians all are rocking with their share of job exposure, talent exploration and economics. It’s unprecedented in my lifetime. Employment, transparency, fair practise, content, quality is like never seen before. Actors working in OTT are more satisfied in terms of roles, exposure, quality and of course the economics complimented with fair practices. Albeit, at times it requires to be ready to do bold stuff and utter expletives too.

Do you have a genre or a kind of role that you haven’t done before and want to do in the future?

Absolutely, I have not given my best as yet or one can say I have not been offered anything of that level. There are so many different kinds of roles I want to essay. It ranges from wanting to do slapstick comedy to playing the role of an ultra soft and kind hearted soul to ruthless psycho killer to a street urchin.

What have been the lowest points of your career till now?

Post Kargil War, I was a little agitated. I had the guilt of not joining the Army even though I got selected earlier. During this time, I was unemployed for a few months. It was just after my marriage. So all these were adding on to my guilt and frustration. This is when I applied for the post of Lieutenant in the Territorial Army and once again cleared the written exam and interview but before I could proceed further to join the Army, I started shooting again like before.

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