Actor Anant Vidhaat is well known for his works in films like Sultan, Gunday, and Tiger Zinda Hai. The Kolkata Mail correspondent caught up with the actor in an exclusive chat. Excerpts..

When did you develop a passion for acting?

Anant Vidhaat- Since my childhood, I was always interested in stories. I always loved listening and telling stories and I also had this very habit in me where I used to mimic people around me. So if I have gone somewhere with my family or have visited a place where I saw someone talking in a particular manner or behaving in a particular manner I always used to come back home and used to enact it and tell that how that person was talking.

So I had this thing in me but at that point in time, I did not realize my potential. But looking back at it I feel I was always interested in telling stories, not just verbally but I would also enjoy enacting that story.

I was in the 4th standard when my school teacher came and asked me to participate in the school play. I agreed to it. I found my acceptance within my teachers and social circle at that point in time.

I carried on and then slowly and gradually I really pursued it very seriously. I started watching a lot of movies and a lot of stage plays, theatre and I started training myself, and then I really got that taste of it. This is how I started up as an actor.

Since you are from a nonfilm background, how has the journey been so far?

Anant Vidhaat- I think it is similar to anybody who is changing their city, who is changing their line, or who is not doing traditional work which their family has been into. The biggest challenge is you don’t have that cultural capital with you, so you have to really start that thing from scratch. You have to meet new people, and start everything from zero.

I always knew it will take time, it will not be easy and nobody is waiting in Mumbai to launch you. So it has taken that amount of time and it has really taught me a lot of patience.

The biggest thing is that you have to actually earn that place where you want to be. So I am still earning that and I am still chasing what I began with. But overall I think I am very lucky because I got brilliant teachers in my formative years who taught me brilliant things and I have continued to teach myself and update myself. This journey has been very enriching in terms of my learning.

You have been part of hit films. How has that enriched you as an actor?

Anant Vidhaat-  The grammar of these mainstream movies is different and you have to actually understand how this grammar works. That is what my biggest learning is.

I have been lucky enough to be associated with the biggest names in this industry and I have worked on such big movies. This is also gratifying. As a kid, you see such big movies and stars and then the day comes when you are acting in one of those movies. So I think it is very enriching and I am so very happy.

Tell us a bit about Tiger 3.

Anant Vidhaat- Tiger 3 is the third installment of the Tiger franchise. So Tiger is what he is, a Spy from India from RAW. I am playing the same character of RAW agent Karan Rao in this movie who is in the team of Tiger and we are helping him in solving this new mission.

What are your upcoming projects apart from Tiger?

Anant Vidhaat- There are a couple of projects I am talking on and it is nearly finalized. But it’s not officially fixed so I am waiting for them to get finalized.

Any dream role? If so what is it?

Anant Vidhaat- I understand the intention of the question and I understand that everybody has their dream role but I think that there is no such one dream role for me.

I think for me character is important. You do not know which character will end up being that landmark character. So this is what I am waiting for and this is the dream that I am finally looking forward to.

How was the experience of working with Sakshi Tanwar?

Anant Vidhaat- I think in Mai it was very intense work throughout Mai. I think with Sakshi ma’am it was such an easy way. She used to come to the sets and never made us feel that she was such an experienced and talented actress.

I could only see her as the character that she portrayed in Mai. It became very easy for us and for me in particular to just react to her and not to think much. She is very calming and she really makes you very comfortable. She is lovely to work with.

Films or web series-what do you enjoy more?

Anant Vidhaat- Well I think both formats have their merits and demerits. But I feel that more than any film or web series or anything, I think that a story is very important.

The major difference is in the technical department. As far as from a perspective of an actor, I feel that the process is more or less the same because you have to be sincere enough and truthful. But if you ask me what I love more, I love a brilliant story.