Politics not for me, acting is my life: ‘Banaras’ star Zaid

S Shyam Prasad | NT

Bengaluru: Debutant Zaid Khan’s Banaras was released across India over the weekend and received a good response from the critics and the audience alike. Though he is the first from his family to don the greasepaint, Zaid is known as the son of politician Zameer Ahmed Khan. Due to this reason, the film also made news for this connection before its release.

But after the film’s release, director Jayathirtha’s unique story and Zaid’s impactful debut have become the talk of the town. He spoke to News Trail about Banaras and the plans he has for his career.

NT: Why did you become an actor?

A. I have always been interested in acting. I can remember how I would participate in acting and dancing competitions even as a child. But my family did not expect my desire to become a professional actor. It was almost ten years ago that I told them about it. My father, as you know, is from politics.

He may have expected me to follow in his footsteps. But when he heard I wanted to become an actor, he became very angry. In 2016, I ran away to Mumbai to try my luck. My dad came for me.

Five years after I first told him I wanted to be an actor, I managed to convince him. He enrolled me in the Anupam Kher’s Acting Institute.

NT: Debutants choose safe subjects like romance or family dramas for their first fi lm. Why did you choose something so different?

A. I have literally heard a hundred scripts before this. As a newcomer I had to show the audience that I can do difficult roles and succeed with a film that had fresh ideas and thoughts.

Audiences are very discerning. They will only watch films which are special. Banaras is a film which is special in every aspect; the story, location and the way it is narrated. These are the kind of unique films I want to do. Even depicting Banaras is very different from how you depict any city or place in a film.

Banaras is the soul of the story. Many films have shown Banaras but you will find details and information as part of the narrative that will surprise you. I will certainly do films and roles that are challenging. Our director Jayathirta is an amazing storyteller.

He did not spare anything and made me do everything as per his vision. I am thankful for him for being so thorough. I hope I have fulfilled his vision.

NT: The fi lm is released in multiple languages including Hindi. Would you do fi lms in other languages too?

A. I wanted my debut to be in Kannada as I am a Kannadiga. I had offers from other languages too. But I chose Banaras to b e my first . Originally we had planned Banaras to be a Kannada film only. We had no plans for dubbing it in other languages.

When the film was made, we realised that this film set almost entirely in Kashi, the holy city, would interest every audience in India. The film, as you know has sci-fi concepts and a romantic story to go with it.

The eternal city was the great backdrop for what we conceived as a time-travel concept. Varanasi is an universal place for everyone, so it connects with everyone in India.

NT: Have you lined up your future projects?

A. In fact, I have four more films after this. But right now, the promotions of Banaras are all that I am concentrating on. I will take one project at a time and see that it gets the attention and devotion it deserves. I do not want to drop names. It is only Banaras for the time being.

NT: Did your political background make it easy for you?

A. As I said, my family was for years opposed to me becoming an actor. I met literally hundreds of directors, and there were a few who were hoping to capitalise on my father’s political background. Politics is not for me and I am here to become an actor. My background or religion should not matter. I am here to entertain people and will do it to the best of my ability.

NT: How unique was the experience of shooting in Banaras

A. I thought I knew so many things growing up with so many Hindu friends, celebrating religious festivals in public like Holi and Ganesha Chaturti and also in the homes of my friends. But Banaras was a totally different experience. It really is like time-travel. What you witness there will surely change you as a person. I have a new perspective on life after visiting Banaras and soaking in all the experiences of life there.

NT: What if films don’t work out?

A. I always have my family’s business to look after. But I really have no interest in politics, if that is what you are hinting at. A still from ‘Banaras’ me in the Anupam Kher’s Acting Institute.