"Cinema is and always will be an experience and not just content consumption" - says Abhimanyu Dassani

https://ift.tt/3nADPza

After 3-year hiatus, the talented Abhimanyu Dassani has 3 releases to look forward to in 2021. He recently spoke about the road he has chosen for himself.

How did you cope with 2020?
There's been a lot of pain and suffering across the board on different levels. Counting my blessings this year I'm just grateful to be safe and healthy. It’s definitely made me revisit my priorities and also instilled a motivation to focus on things I wouldn't focus on before.

Are you tempted to be part of the digital boom?
Even before the OTT boom in the past year or more, I’ve believed an actor shouldn't be restricted to a medium, if a role challenges me and I feel connected to the character in some way that's what excites me. Cinema is and always will be an experience and not just content consumption.

Which are the web-shows you’ve enjoyed recently?
Scam 1992 is the show I binge-watched the first two nights as soon as it was released and immediately contacted Achint Thakkar, Jai Mehta, Pratik Gandhi and Hemant Kher and a lot of others from the show’s team to congratulate them for the experience. It was close to flawless. I also enjoyed The Family Man, Pataal Lok, Ram Singh Charlie, Raat Akeli Hai. A lot of good cinema and good talent has risen out of the shadows this year. I'm so happy for that.

What about the loss of the stalwarts like Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor?
It was a grave loss to our industry. They were pioneers path breakers and had so much more to offer to teach us. The sudden death of Sushant Singh Rajput was a reminder to be kind to spread love and not take things and people for granted.

How do you cope with the toxicity of the social media?
I try and see the world with curiosity rather than expectations. I face run-ins with compassion or at least I try. Resentment of one's life, arrogance or entitlement and selective listening usually triggers trolls to be trolls. I wish they saw more beauty in the world. I wish they received more love.

Your projects for 2021?
Nikamma directed by Sabbir Khan, Aankh Micholi directed by Umesh Shukla and Meenakshi Sundareshwar directed by Vivek Soni. All very different characters and films.

ALSO READ: Nikamma stars Abhimanyu Dassani and Shirley Setia are riding into 2021 with full enthusiasm