A small town boy who had a dream of acting, studied aviation & hospitality and from being rejected multiple times to working in feature film Hardik Abhi Nandan as a lead role, Navjot Singh Chauhan shares bits from his life. Have a look at the excerpts from our conversation with Navjot.
Tell us something about you.
I was born in Ukai (Songhad, Maharashtra) and brought up in a small village named Umarpada which near Surat. Once I completed my 12th grade, I moved to Surat and did a course in Aviation and Hospitality from Frankfinn Institute of Air hostess Training.
How does your childhood look like?
I was stubborn, shy and introvert as a child. I had a laid back attitude and always made excuses from studying. But I had an amazing time playing with my brother. Those were the days!
You have studied aviation. How did you decide becoming an actor?
Well, somewhere I knew that I want to become a model. I wanted to do modeling but never imagined myself as an actor. While I was working in a hotel in Surat, a very well-known Bollywood writer told me about his acting & modeling institute. I decided to enroll in his institute while working. That same writer was about to start his Hindi film in Mumbai and he also promised to give me a small role in his movie. To perform well, I started working on my acting skills and realized I was doing good and so I moved to Mumbai.
Who has been your support throughout?
My parents have been my constant support. Being from a middle class family, one can only DREAM of being an actor. But my parents have always been by my side and always supported my decision. I am nothing without them.
How do you spend your family time?
I am lucky to have a crazy family. We always have a good time joking, laughing and doing pranks. “I do not spend time; time spends when I am with them”.
How does it feel to be a part of Hardik Abhi Nandan?
I made my debut with Romeo and Radhika. But as a lead, this is my first film. I am on cloud nine seeing myself on the posters of Hardik Abhi Nandan. I do not have words to explain how I feel. My family and friends are so proud of me.
What did you do before you got into Gujarati cinema?
Before I made it to the Gujarati film industry, I have acted in serials such as Veera, Yeh Hai Aashiqui and Tujhse Naraz Nahi Zindagi. I have also worked in a Marathi feature film.
Tell us something about your character in Hardik Abhi Nandan.
Nandan is miser, coward and mumma’s boy. He has never gone against his mother’s wishes. He wears what his mother gives him and also does what she tells him to do. He has never seen the real world.
Are there any similarities between Nandan and Navjot?
This reminds me of my childhood days. Nandan spots the same hair cut that I had as a child! Haha, we call this hair cut as Superman Cut.
Share some fun moments you had on the sets while shooting the movie.
We have had a lot of fun time while shooting. You can go see the khurafati we did behind the cameras on YouTube.
Who do you admire in Bollywood and Hollywood?
I admire King Khan and Ranbir Kapoor from Bollywood and Jonny Depp and Jim Carrey from Hollywood.
How do you keep in touch with your fans?
Social media is always there for this. I try to reply to everyone who sends me a message regarding appreciation for my work. I will always keep in touch. But sometimes things get critical when too much personal information is asked.
Tell us 3 things about you that not many people know.
1. I failed in 9th grade.
2. I have been rejected more than 10 times before getting my first job.
3. To get a break in television serials, I have attended 50+ auditions.
I believe rejections make you stronger in life.
Agar haroge nahi to jitney ka maza nahi aayega!
Anything you would like to say about BuddyBits.
I really appreciated what you guys are doing. BuddyBits is doing an amazing job by focusing on Gujarati cinema despite being a national player.
Wishing you all the best for your future endeavors. Readers, if you haven’t watched Hardik Abhi Nandan yet, go and catch it in the theatres near you.
[Featured photo courtesy: Zenith Banker]
