MUMBAI: Darsheel Safary, the breakout star of "Taare Zameen Par", says director of the film and superstar Aamir Khan has been his guiding force. Darsheel was applauded by both the audience and critics for his moving portrayal of a child with dyslexia Ishaan Awasthi in the film.
"He has been by a guiding force. My dad often speaks to him. It has been a long time since I spoke to him. We keep consulting about should we do this, what is happening, he replies, he responds till date. And it is very nice of him. I would love to talk about cinema, industry (with him). He will be quite shocked as the last time he left me I was this 10-year-old naughty, mischievous kid, who did not know what he is supposed to do. Now I am getting my way right, I have developed a passion for films. I would love to have a conversation with him about that someday," Darsheel told PTI.
After "Taare Zameen Par" he did act in a few films like Priyadarshan's "Bumm Bumm Bole", Disney's "Zokkomon" and Deepa Mehta's "Midnight's Children". The 22-year-old has been auditioning for ad films, features and for the digital platform. "People call me because I have acted in 'Taare....' they ask me what are your plans. I do go for auditions. I am being choosy, I don't want to do random stuff, want to do something that appeals to me."
He said whatever interesting work comes his way he tries to make the most of it. "For me the key lies in working towards my passion. I am sure it will work out one day."
He is busy with his latest play "Kaise Karenge?" which premiered on Saturday. It is a story of two brothers, played by Darsheel and Abhishek Pattnaik, and how the latter, who happens to be the elder brother with multiple personality disorder.
From the age of 19, Darsheel has been doing theatre and since then he has three plays to his credit - "Can I Help You", in which he played the role of a suicidal, aggressive fast bowler, "Two Adorable Losers" addressed the question about 'If a person speaks fluent English, why is he considered knowledgeable?' through student-teacher relationship and the third being "Kaise Karenge?". "Once the script is ready it takes about three-four months to put the show. Theatre enhances you as an actor. It is fun to perform live for audience, it also helps you as an actor. One has to be more observant, alert as there is very little room for error."
Citing example of his play, "Two Adorable Losers", which has had 90 plus shows, Darsheel said theatre is all about good content. "Today the generation says that theatre is a dying form, I strongly disagree. It all depends on the content you get more people to watch it if the story is good." He said even when he starts doing films he will continue to do theatre just like veteran actors like Paresh Rawal and Naseeruddin Shah.