A Story of Persistence - JATIN SARNA

INTERVIEW

A STORY OF PERSISTENCE

JATINSARNA

Interview By Armin S.

JATIN SARNA STARTED HIS JOURNEY IN 2008, AFTER HIS ACTING COURSE COMPLETED AT THE SHRI RAM CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. HE HAD BEEN AN EXTRA IN FILMS AND SLOWLY MADE HIS MARK IN PLAYS, AND THEN GARNERED ACCOLADES FOR HIS ACTING IN PROJECTS SUCH AS ‘MEERUTHIYA GANG- STERS’, ‘SACRED GAMES’, AND NOW ’83’, IN WHICH HE ESSAYS THE ROLE OF THE LATE YASHPAL SHARMA.

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INTERVIEW

WHEN OR HOW DID THE ACTING BUG FIRST BITE YOU?

It started off with the idea that I do something which would make the people around me happy. Entertainment was the most important thing to me. I wanted the people around me to feel happy, and then if I can make money doing that, that’s even better. So that was the idea. That’s where the journey started.

“I STARTED OFF MY CAREER AS AN EXTRA”

YOU STARTED YOUR CAREER AS AN EXTRA, RIGHT?

Yes, I started off my career as an extra, part of the crowd. I was part of some films which were shot in Delhi because that’s where I was living. I did Milenge Milenge Shahid Kapoor, Ahista Ahista with Abhay Deol, then I had Rang De Basanti. Slowly and steadily, I was just trying to gain some knowledge of acting. I met a few people including the late Irrfan Khan at the National School of Drama, which only took graduates, so I talked to them about joining acting school. They told me to try for Shri Ram House at Mandi Centre – luckily, I got my chance even though I forgot so many lines during my auditions. I was so disheartened. But as I was walking away, I went up to the teacher and did a scene from Khakee with Amitabh Bachchan. I don’t know whether they liked it or not, but I became a part of that acting institution. From 2008 then, when I left, that’s when my journey started. I got my first television serial, Kyunki Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, and then my first movie. I realized I wanted to conquer Delhi first. I was then featured in films in small roles, thinking one day they will cast me in a big role. I got recognition for my role as Sanjay ‘Foreigner in Meeruthiya Gangsters. And one day, I got a call from a casting company that they want to audition me for the role of Bunty – did that, they loved it, and that’s how Sacred Games happened. My friends and family have just been so supportive throughout my journey. My audience has also made me believe in myself. There was a struggle, some good and bad days, but I’m here to stay.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT BEFORE ’83 OR SACRED GAMES, WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST LEARNING LESSON DURING THAT TIME?

My thought was always to look at the film or the project through the lens of my character, so it becomes my story to me. So if I’m not in that situation, the film cannot move. I also watched how the main characters were portraying themselves and what I could and could not do. That was the basic learning in all of those films. I also wanted to make sure I had to be different.

WHAT DID IT TAKE FOR ALL OF YOU TO BECOME A TEAM – BECAUSE ’83 IS SUCH AN EMOTION?

A large part of the credit goes to our trainer, our crew, but also the actors. We were all traveling together, hanging out together. It looked like we were the original team. That was the idea. It started off with training camp – we practiced together early in the morning, which helped us bond. The original team is so simply, so closely knitted together, they still have a group where they chat – so many years later. We had to start acting like that too. We were all fond of each other and we helped each other out.

WHAT WAS RANVEER SINGH LIKE?

Ranveer Singh was so supportive. He was like a brother. He would tell us that we were re-creating history so we knew we had to be on point. We had to understand the importance of the project.

WHAT’S THE MESSAGE TO YOUR FANS THEN?

A big thank you to each one of you, for loving me and appreciating me. You give me a lot of strength to stand and work hard and give the best of myself.

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