Exclusive: Utkarsh Sharma recalls being hard on himself during Gadar 2

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Utkarsh Sharma debuted as a baby actor in father Anil Sharma’s cult-classic Gadar (2001). In Gadar 2 (2023), he took on a lead role and with the recently released Vanvaas, the actor has further proven his versatility. Despite being born right into a film family, Utkarsh doesn’t take his position as a right and pushes himself to extremes to excel in his craft. In a freewheeling conversation with Filmfare, the actor opens up about Vanvaas, his belief in his craft, and his relationship together with his filmmaker father. Excerpts:

What did you consider the reactions to Vanvaas?

I’m feeling overwhelmed since the feedback has been quite positive. People loved the emotional core of the film they usually are quite surprised that it’s wrapped in such entertainment.

How was the experience of working with someone so unorthodox like Nana Patekar?

The experience was truly unforgettable for me not simply because of Nana sir, but in addition due to our supporting forged, which had so many experienced actors. They’ve achieved a lot of their fields, whether it’s on OTT and even in cinema. It was plenty of fun working with all of them. We were like a family. Though the film is on Vanvaas, on set we were like a family. Nana sir used to cook food for 200 people on set. He fed me Misal pav together with his hands.

At what point in your life did you realize that you simply desired to be an actor? Did being the son of a director help?

Yes, definitely. Being the son of a filmmaker helped me get a job behind the cameras. I got a job assisting on Veer (2010). And I got to see acting from really close quarters. I worked as a baby artiste also. So, I have been watching movies since my childhood. As I used to be growing up, I desired to be related to movies. Whether it was in writing or editing, I desired to be related to it. Then I got a likelihood to do theatre and went abroad to learn more in regards to the craft. From then on, I felt that that is what I desired to do. That is where I’m capable of express myself. That mask, of being an actor, gives you plenty of power to talk the reality.

You furthermore mght had formal training in acting. How did that show you how to shape your approach to your craft?

Plenty of the formal training comes from individuals who explored acting themselves. They didn’t learn it from a book. Then they became teachers. So the very best method to learn acting is by doing it. I did formal training each in India and the West. Then I did theatre and short movies. I attempted to strengthen myself as much as I could possibly because this career is hard. I have been hard on myself to receive the proper education for this field.

How have you ever been hard on yourself?

I’ve pushed myself. I actually have forgone sleep, food and plenty of luxuries in life that somebody in my position could have easily had. I actually have forgone plenty of things to simply give attention to my craft and develop it.

What was probably the most difficult thing you needed to do up to now?

During Gadar 2, there was a scene where I used to be about to get executed. My character had been a prisoner for a couple of month. You could have a natural look about yourself and it is tough to realize it just through makeup, VFX or prosthetics. We shot that sequence for 12 days. I used to be just eating one slice of bread within the morning. That is it. I attempted to remain as hungry as I could. In order that I get to feel that anger. We were shooting at irregular hours anyway. So all of that took a toll on my face. And by the top of it, we were about to shoot motion scenes where I needed to run lots in the warmth of Lucknow. It took a toll on my health. I also tried to do my stunts and broke my leg twice during Gadar 2.

How was the experience of working together with your father and the way does he direct you on sets?

I’m very near him and he discusses lots about movies. We each are cinephiles so every time we see a movie, we are likely to break it down and analyse it. We have now a friendly relationship where I can discuss work and my personal life with him openly. But he’s a workaholic by nature so sometimes at home also, he’s wearing the director’s hat. I have been his assistant so every time he has a story idea, he asks me to start out working on it immediately. We have now that boss and worker relationship as well even at home. On set, all the opposite actors get a van but I do not often. But I understand what he wants so it is simple to work with him.

So who’re the administrators, besides your father you’ll need to work with?

Rajkumar Hirani sir, Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir and Imtiaz Ali. These are all directors whose work I’ve admired lots. Particularly from the brand new generation, I might say Amar Kaushik. His work is superb. I saw Stree 2 and he’s a rooted director. Even Sukumar ji (director of Pushpa) from South. I also liked Aditya Dhar’s Uri: The Surgical Strike.