We had the pleasure of speaking with Rakesh. He’s an awesome guy with a matching personality! Check out the interview below.
Hi, Rakesh! Thank you for granting the interview. We’re excited to speak with you. Tell us what inspired you to become an actor.
Loneliness. Sadness. Depression – That’s how it all started. When I was a kid, I used to be severely bullied in school. I was facing domestic violence at home. I didn’t have a single friend to talk. But one thing I always loved was watching tv. I used to sit in front of the television almost all the time. When I watched my favorite actors in the movie scenes, I used to portray those scenes in front of the mirror, in my room. And I used to do it very casually. I don’t know why I did it, how I did it, but I could just do it. Strangely, after a while, I started feeling that, when I used to portray those movie characters when I used to be in that moment in that short span of time running those movie lines, I could completely separate myself from all those negative surroundings. I don’t know how to explain this but when I used to portray a character in front of the mirror, I still remember that there was someone else who run the lines; It was never me. I used to have this weird feeling that another person was present inside me, running those lines. It was a strange feeling that I can’t describe in words. I found an escape. As time kept rolling, I got hooked up with this acting thing.
Did you come across any challenges in your career?
My biggest challenge was ‘survival’. It was a wall that stood between me and my dreams. I still remember that day in Sydney, when I was starving for three days straight. I was just living on water for those three days. On the fourth day, I decided to go out in the streets and beg for money because I needed food. But on the footpath, every time I was stepping forward to beg, I couldn’t do it. I just could not ask anyone for money. Later that day, the government came forward and helped me out.
How do you choose a role to play?
I prefer to play roles that people can relate to. But to me, the story comes first. As an actor, I am primarily an entertainer. So if the story carries an entertainment value, I’ll just do it regardless of the role I get.
What do you enjoy most about the industry?
I enjoy the uncertainty of the future, that comes with this profession in this entertainment industry. It keeps me alive and makes me push through the boundaries. Also, getting the opportunity to work with different actors and technicians every time, meeting new people, getting to see different places are some of the peripherals that I love. It’s a privilege to be an actor.
What are some of the projects you have worked on?
I have worked on many short films, feature films, and commercials. But the most important project of my career is my screenplay “SHIVA” – An unfinished love story… A love story the world has never seen or heard before. SHIVA will re-define the word ‘love’ and I can’t wait for the world to see it. The screenplay has received numerous awards from some of the most prestigious film festivals all over the world. One of the most important pursuits of my life now is to give life to SHIVA.
What was your favorite role to play to date?
I have enjoyed every single role I have played. But the one role that I most enjoyed creating is the character SHIVA CHATTERJEE in my screenplay. A role that I have written for myself because no one would be able to justify this character.
Who would you love to collaborate with?
I would like to collaborate with talented actors and filmmakers because that’s always a great learning experience. As a matter of fact, I would love to collaborate more with ‘life’ because life experience is consequential to create art and entertainment.
What has been your favorite experience in making a movie?
It was something weird that I have never experienced before. I could not create SHIVA living in the present life; I had to travel to his world to see the people, relationships and life from his eyes. When I was creating SHIVA, the fact that I could just leave my own self and fly to an unknown state of mind where I have never been before, was an experience I can never forget.
Is there a role you would love to play?
I would love to play the role of Johnny Depp in the movie ‘Tourist’. I would love to play the role of Jon Favreau in the movie ‘Swingers’. But most importantly, I am looking forward to playing the role of Shiva Chatterjee in the project SHIVA.
If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to make acting your career?
Absolutely! Acting is all I can do. Acting is all I want to do. I do not know how to do anything else.
Do you have anything else you would like to share about your career?
I come from nowhere. I would have been lost somewhere in the streets and suburbs of Australia if TCM (my representative in Australia), Therese Clifford, Paloma Bilson, and Rozalin Benlevi Kashani didn’t come forward and support me. I wouldn’t be here in the first place without their help and support. I am thankful to these people more than they would ever know.
I do not have a destination. My life, my career is all a journey where I keep walking in a pitch-black tunnel. I can see a small light on the other end of the tunnel, but the tunnel is so dark that I have no clue how far away that light is. I just keep walking, hoping to come close to that light one day.
I am thankful to the film festivals all around the world who have recognized SHIVA – The most important pursuit of my life.
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