A chat with newbie actor ANKUSH GANDHI who will soon make his debut with a hard-hitting political film, “Mumbai Tiger’

Ankush Gandhi is not a name you would recall now. But that’s because his first film is yet to release. And he promises things will change once his debut film, “Mumbai Tiger’, releases. A drama inspired by the political scenario of Maharashtra, “Mumbai Tiger’ will see him playing a common guy who turns the tables when pushed against the wall.

This is Ankush’s debut film. But he has been one of the better known models in the country, having walked the ramp for quite a few designers. And that’s not all, he is an accomplished dancer having trained at Shiamak Davar’s institute. “I have done a lot of modelling, ramp and print shoots. I have also trained under Shiamak Davar. I have won the best dancer award at the Indo-Russian youth festival 2009. And then I prepared myself for an acting career by doing a course with Kishore Namit acting agency,” says the young actor. Plus, he says he has years of experience as a stage actor to back him up.

With such dancing skills and acting experience he would be deemed material enough for the regular fluffy song and dance Bollywood fare. But then he waited for a proper script rather than running after the ordinary. “When I read the role of Bandya mama I was sure this is the character which will help me show my calibre as an actor. It is a very good character. I play a pivotal role despite the fact that the film has a stalwart like Anupam Kher,” he says talking about “Mumbai Tiger’. The film is loosely based on politicos like Bal Thackeray and Raj Thackeray. It is also rumoured that Urmila Matondkar will be playing a key role in the film but the actor denies commenting on any casting related queries. “I guess it’s best to talk to the producers about anything you need to know about the movie,” says Ankush keeping the plot a secret. He is also cool about the fact that the film could end up generating quite a lot of controversies – something not many actors look for from their first film at least. But this Delhi boy, who calls himself a Mumbaikar now, says he has nothing to worry about. “All I know is, it is a good script,” he says.

Without a doubt he is quite focused on his work. Interestingly, Shiamak Davar’s institute seems to be quite proficient in bringing out stars. We had got Shahid Kapoor and Darsheel Safary from the same institute and now Ankush is ready to set the beats racing. “I want to be an actor and if I am good at my work people will make me a star too. I admire actors like Anupam Kher and Manoj Bajpayee but I am sure I don’t want to be like anyone else but create my own identity,” he concludes, ruling out any comparison with Shahid.

–Sampurn Wire