IF SHAH RUKH KHAN CAN DO IT, I CAN TOO

My family are the mainstream audience and think I am wasting my time. Until I make a Rs 100 crore film, they won't be convinced.

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Coming from humble beginnings without any ties with the movie industry, Sohum Shah lives by the philosophy: ‘Jahan chah wahan raah (Where there’s a will, there’s a way).’

That’s how he made his way from Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan to Mumbai to pursue his acting dreams. Years later, he established himself as a notable actor and producer in Bollywood with titles like Ship of Theseus, Tumbbad, Maharani and Dahaad under his belt.

His latest film Crazxy sees him in experimental mode as he plays Dr Abhimanyu in a one-character suspense thriller. Sohum reflects on his journey as he tells “I started from zero, when we did not have any money at home. I left home to explore something new. But my mother thought I was going on vanvaas.”

Crazxy is getting positive reception.

A lot of love is coming our way. People say it is such a gutsy movie, how did you make it? A one-character movie must have been challenging... People also talk about the tyre-changing scene. They loved it. Somebody told me, I was with you in that Range Rover. In Tumbbad also, we tried to achieve that the audience should feel the incessant rain once they step out of the cinema hall.

Your production house is responsible for backing unique content. What’s the creative strategy?

I grew up watching Hindi cinema. I never had exposure to world cinema or literature. I came here, met a few people, liked their stories and thought I should make films. Slowly, it’s becoming our brand with Sohum Shah Films. People now expect something atrangi with the films we make.

VIDEO: Why the English dialogue in Crazxy was ‘very tough’ for Sohum Shah.

You came to Mumbai from Rajasthan, without any prior experience in acting. What gave you confidence to take this leap?