EXCLUSIVE: Anil Grover talks about working in Dunki; says that he had a ‘Thank God jaisa experience’ of doing readings in Shah Rukh Khan’s bungalow Mannat: “It was like raja praja ka dhyaan rakh raha hai. We had the best coffee and cake that day”

Anil Grover came into the limelight thanks to the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dunki. The actor played the crucial role of Balli and rocked the show. Viewers also found him resembling Sunil Grover and it soon came to light that Anil is his younger brother. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, the talented actor spoke about his experience of working on Dunki and a lot more.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Anil Grover talks about working in Dunki; says that he had a ‘Thank God jaisa experience’ of doing readings in Shah Rukh Khan’s bungalow Mannat: “It was like raja praja ka dhyaan rakh raha hai. We had the best coffee and cake that day”

 

It was interesting to see all of you getting equal prominence on the poster of Dunki. Usually, a superstar would prefer a solo poster. But that didn’t happen with this film. It must have given you a high, right?

 

Absolutely. Being with Shah Rukh sir on the poster elevates the sense of achievement to a whole new level. You wonder, ‘Yeh kya ho gaya’! Aap hard work toh karte hi ho, woh toh aapka job hai. And then it feels great when you feature in the poster along with Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal and Vikram Kochhar that too for a film directed by Rajkumar Hirani. It can’t get bigger or better than that.

 

What’s the feedback been like?

 

I have got a lot of messages. A lot of people have liked my work. Things have changed a bit (since Dunki’s release) and I am enjoying these moments.

 

Has anybody from the film industry shared feedback with you?

 

Sunil bhaiya has got some good reactions. He told me that Atlee sir liked my work. Bhaiya also informed me that Manoj Bajpayee, who was also my senior in my college, praised me.

 

How did you bag the role?

 

The process was very organic. I was at home when I got a message to send me a picture of my current look. This was the time of lockdown when we had all grown our beards. Saare aadi manav bane hue the! Maine himmat karke meri picture bhej di. I got a reply that I might have to audition for a role in a Rajkumar Hirani film. That itself gave me goosebumps. By then, I knew that Raju sir was making a film with Shah Rukh sir. I was called to audition for the role of Buggu Lakhanpal, which was ultimately played by Vikram Kochhar. Later, they told me that want to audition me without a beard for Balli’s character. There were a series of auditions and look tests. Then one fine day, Raju sir told me that he had locked me for the part and he gave me a jadoo ki jhappi!

 

Did you ever meet Shah Rukh before or did you meet him directly at Mannat for Dunki’s readings?

 

I have been in the space where Shah Rukh sir used to be around. Life ne ek-do baar aisa mauka diya hai mujhe. But I had never had the opportunity where I got a chance to meet him personally.

 

How was the experience at Mannat?

 

Bada ‘Thank God’ jaisa experience hota tha! I have clicked many pictures outside Mannat. For the first time, life gave me an opportunity to go inside. We did a lot of script readings in his house. The first time, we went inside, we were all a little nervous. He knew we were nervous and he shared anecdotes to make us comfortable and also so that we can come to a level where we can also contribute to the script and be a part of the discussions. It was a lovely experience. It was like raja praja ka dhyaan rakh raha hai! Waise waali feeling thi. We had the best coffee and cake that day.

 

He’s such a big star that it became an added job for him that saamne waale ko comfortable karna padta hoga.

 

And Shah Rukh Khan didn’t need to do so…

 

Bilkul zaroorat bhi nahin thi lekin woh karte hai. All this ultimately helps the film at large.

 

How was it directed by Rajkumar Hirani?

 

Raju sir is like a different breed altogether. I don’t think they make people like him anymore. He operates on a different frequency of goodness, humbleness, kind heartedness. His dedication towards his craft is commendable. Though I did a lot of theatre and rehearsals to become an actor, I would still say that he’s been my institute. Mere liye woh margdarshak reh chuke hai. He fine-tuned my skills.

 

 

How was it working with Vicky Kaushal, Taapsee Pannu and Vikram Kochhar?

 

The common factor in all of us was that we were all Punjabis. Shah Rukh sir bhi acchi Punjabi bol dete hai. With these three actors, my bond was on a different level. Taapsee is a bundle of energy. She is just vivacious and her dedication to her craft is unparalleled. I learned a lot from her, especially jis tarah se woh bedhadak aur bindaas hoke baat karti hai. Vicky is a true Punjabi and a brilliant human being. We all know what an actor he is. There’s a lot to learn from his journey. As for Vikram, the best quality about him is that woh samay aur jagah ka mohtaj nahin hai. Unko kahin bhi sula do, woh so jaate hai!

 

How was your experience of playing the ‘living statue’ for a crucial scene in the film?

 

I have a newfound respect for these living statues. Their job is very hard. I met a lot of them before we shot for the scene. If you travel in a local train on a Sunday, you’ll find them travelling all the way from Mira Road to Bandra or Churchgate in the statue get-up. It’s a challenge for them because they have to avoid distractions in these public places. Also, several people harass them so that they come out of their character. It’s almost like a meditation to go into the zone and stand like a statue. They do it with such finesse that it’s commendable.

 

I remember when I was doing the scene, some of the locals presumed I was a street performer and they offered me a few pounds. Maine apne khaane peene ka kharcha unhi paison se nikala! On a serious note, my work was made easy by the make-up team of Tarannum Khan. I had to wake up early in the morning at around 2 am for the make-up since we had to reach the location at 6:00 am.

 

Which was the toughest scene for you in Dunki?

 

The confrontation scene between Shah Rukh sir and I was quite an emotional one. You need to take a different approach depending on the scene like method acting, research etc. But you need to get certain things from inside yourself as well. I had to depict the plight and the emotional baggage of the illegal immigrant. It was a challenge. Thankfully, we had a great team and my co-actor was a legend. He encouraged me to make sure I was on the top of my game.

 

Both you and Sunil Grover worked with Shah Rukh Khan this year, you in Dunki and he in Jawan…

 

Bhaiya was telling me the day before yesterday that this year, he and I both worked with Shah Rukh Khan. Next year, hopefully, our father will work with him! Bhaiya revealed that Shah Rukh told him ‘Tere brother ke saath kaam kar raha hoon. Woh wahan iss tarah se kuch kar raha hai. Tu yahaan yeh kar raha hai’. Sir casually remarked about it to me as well on the sets of Dunki.

 

What was Sunil Grover’s feedback for your role in Dunki?

 

He now plays a dual role (laughs). He is an elder sibling, a role which anyway was difficult for him. Now he’s also playing the role of a senior actor with me. I discuss with him as he has far more experience. But he’s always encouraging and constructive with his feedback. Baaki hamare sapnon ka size same hai (smiles). His journey inspired me. The amount of hard work he puts into each and everything he does is commendable.

 

During your growing-up years, did you ever think of taking a ‘Dunki’ flight?

 

Dunki maarne ki naubat kabhi aayi nahin. Since the beginning, I have been used to travelling. Mujhe visa de dete the woh log! Hence, I never felt the need or the urge. When we researched the issue and realized how big it is and how many people take donkey flights, we were stunned.

 

Where are you from?

 

I was born in a very small place called Mandi Dabwali. It is situated on the border of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. My dad was in a government job and was transfered frequently. So, we kept on switching places. I did my initial education in Delhi. Then, we returned to Mandi Dabwali for 6 years. I graduated from Delhi University and I also did a lot of theatre. Then I did my master's in mass communication from Chandigarh.

 

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Prithviraj Sukumaran talks about Salaar’s success; also says, “I have neither watched Dunki nor Salaar! I am a big fan of Rajkumar Hirani and Shah Rukh Khan sir. I am very happy that both the films are doing well”

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