Silchar boy Rajdeep Choudhury on his Bollywood debut Jack & Dil: I am nervous and excited

Silchar boy Rajdeep Choudhury is about to make his big debut in Bollywood with Jack and Dil. Directed by Sachin Karande, the film will release on November 2. Rajdeep will share the screen with some big names in the Indian film industry such as Arbaaz Khan, Amit Sadh, Sonal Chauhan, and Evelyn Sharma. Rajdeep has been seen promoting the film with Arbaaz in Mumbai and Pune and has received a lot of attention from the media for his fresh style statement, great shape and fantastic sense of humour.

Rajdeep plays a pivotal role in the film as a mystery man and features in the trailer of the film. The trailer got millions of views soon after it was released by Zee Music company and it does make you want to go to the theatre with your family this Diwali to have a great time.

Rajdeep opens up about his fascinating journey, elaborating his dreams and aspirations, in this exclusive conversation with his school friend Dr Himabrata Das.

Q. Congratulations Rajdeep on your debut in the Indian film industry. It must be a very emotional moment for you. How do you feel days ahead from the big release?

Rajdeep: Excited, nervous and at the same time I’m trying to let the feeling sink in. This moment reminds me of my exam results. You know you have done well and worked hard but did the examiner find it good enough….?

Q. What is Jack and Dil about? And what’s your role in the film? The buzz is that you play a mystery man.

Rajdeep: It is a light-hearted comedy film about a husband and wife’s relationship. As the relationship dips, after few years of marriage, the husband wonders if his wife is having an affair with someone and hires a detective to find out. However, things turn funny when the detective tells him he is now in love with his wife!!! I could be one of the reasons why a detective is hired! Basically, I am the troublemaker. It’s not a massive role but it’s one of the key characters in the story and you would see me with all the stars in the film.

Q. How has been your experience being part of the film? Could you share some memorable moments from the journey.

Rajdeep: It was pretty cool. All experiences are good but some are just amazing. I mean sharing my first ever dialogue on Indian cinema with Arbaaz Khan was just brilliant. Can clearly remember him telling me “Yeh accha tha (This was good).”

Q. Who are your idols and inspirations in the film industry?

Rajdeep: I have always loved the work of the legendary Utpal Dutt Sir. I mean you could remember his scenes long after you have watched the film. That’s what is acting for me. Apart from that, I think Ranbir Kapoor is just phenomenal and so is Nawazuddin Sir, who I used to work out with. When it comes to actresses, it’s got to be Sharmila Tagore, Madhuri Dixit and Hema Malini. You just can’t take your eyes off the screen when you watch them perform.

Q. How do you train and motivate yourself from the grueling world of celluloid?

Rajdeep: I love my work so I don’t need a great deal of motivation because I am happy and lucky, that I’m doing something that I always wanted. On some days I work on my voice, record myself on the phone, post my performances at times on social media to see the reactions. And yes, I am quite serious about my fitness. To survive in this world, you got to have a lot of patience. Be cool as a cucumber as Sidhu says, and learn to ignore things that are not positive. These three things have helped me a lot to survive.

Q. What are the types of roles that you have enjoyed doing in the past? What do you perceive are your strengths as an actor?

Rajdeep: Comedy! I always enjoy watching comedy and performing in a comedy role. I did work in a comedy film with Krushna Abhishek but sadly the project got shelved. I also enjoyed working in a documentary film as The Face of Wales Tourism promoting Wales to the World. There again, I got the opportunity to give it a light comedy flavour than usual presentation stuff and it was a big hit. It’s too early to talk about or understand my strengths as an actor because I have not been challenged enough but I think I have the ability to understand and communicate with the director’s vision.

Q. Which upcoming projects are you currently working on?

Rajdeep: Good question. I am working on a film called Aadat which is directed by Bhushan Patel and produced by the one and only Mika Singh starring Bipasha Basu, Karan Singh Grover, Miss India Natasha Suri and Nitin Arora

Q. Finally tell our readers a little bit about the time you spent in Silchar and the fond memories you have of your birthplace

Rajdeep: Well I keep visiting the place almost every Durga Puja and my best memories have always happened during Puja. I mean it’s so amazing back home…everyone comes home and you suddenly see someone you haven’t seen for years. I also love Pandal Hopping and eating jalebis…yum!!! I am glad I was born in Silchar because I have enjoyed some important relationships that are really special to me and rare these days. That you could have a great bonding, so unusual in most towns and cities these days. I am sure most people reading this will agree that the best gossips have happened in that corner of the street with all the friends from your para.

This interview was done by Dr. Himabrata Das on our request. He is the Registrar, Department of Psychiatry, Silchar Medical College and Hospital.