Aparshakti Khurana On His Role In 'Jubilee': There Was Stress Because It's A Tough One To Crack

From being a radio jockey to a singer and an actor, Aparshakti Khurana has proved his versatility in all fields. He made his debut with 'Dangal', and then starred in several movies like 'Stree', 'Luka Chuppi', 'Pati Patni Aur Woh' and more in supporting roles. He was mostly seen in comic roles till 'Dhokha: Round D Corner' where he played a dark character. His recent release was Vikramaditya Motwane's 'Jubilee' where he proved his mettle by playing Binod Das aka Madan Kumar. The character is intense, grey-shaded, and subtle which is totally opposite to what Apar had played earlier and also to his real-life persona. 

Post the release of 10 episodes of 'Jubilee', Garima Das of Outlook spoke to  Aparshakti Khurana where he spoke about the positive response 'Jubilee' has been getting, the feedback he has gotten for his performance, working experience with the auteur Vikramaditya Motwane, his prep for the role and more. 

How does it feel to get such a positive response for 'Jubilee'?

It is beautiful to witness all the love pouring in. When we were shooting, we knew that we were doing something good but didn't know that we will get so much praise and love. Feeling very blessed. We didn't expect that people will like it so much. It's difficult to handle (he laughs). I am feeling very nice.

Any interesting feedback or review you have got for especially your character?

There are many that have come from personal and professional space. If I talk about professional space, most of them have written beautiful things about the show, about me and everything. Among all, my favourite was the review of Freddy Birdy. I loved what he said. Whatever he wrote, I swear I cried after reading that. It was beautiful. The biggest compliment was...mumma started watching the show and when I called her in between the show, she told me it has been 10-15 minutes she was waiting for my entry. My mother couldn't recognise me and imagine how funny and how good is that. I found it funny and also thought that I did something so different that my mother couldn't recognise me.

Talking about Binod Das aka Madan Kumar, your character, he is full of grace and stability. When you were offered the role, was there any apprehension about whether you will be able to pull it off or not?

Instead of using the word, 'apprehension', I will say there was stress. I didn't have any doubt. There was stress on how and what to do. The prep was a bit long and had to concentrate a lot. I had to spend a lot of time with Vikram (Vikramaditya Motwane and Atul (Sabarwal) sir. We had a lot of time due to Covid and it all panned out really well. But yes, there was stress because it is a tough one to crack. I want to specifically mention Vikram sir the way he held my hand to take this journey together was beautiful. And the kind of trust he shows in his actors is in a way unprecedented.

Also, being a Punjabi munda you are, which is totally opposite to your reel life character. So, was there any process to prep for the role?

Honesty, I don't have any process that I will go to a different zone. I love my food, my people, and my music. I love being with them. I don't want to lose myself for the sake of a character. This is my process and I don't want to disrespect anybody who is doing that or goes to a different zone or becomes like the character and it's become difficult for them to come out of it. But it's their process. But for me, I live in present. So, I didn't lose myself and that's my biggest achievement I feel in this process. Despite playing Binod Das aka Madan Kumar, I didn't lose myself.

Any funny incident or anecdote you would like to share with us?

Before going on set, Rajkummar Rao and Ashish Verma who worked with Vikram sir in 'Trapped' and 'Bhavesh Joshi', gave me an overall update that he is a very serious filmmaker, very disciplined, this that and the other. They asked me to be careful and not be jumpy around him. I got a bit scared and made sure not to be myself. And one week into my overall process with him like workshops, filming and everything...after a few days, I got a call from him (Rajkummar) as to how everything was going, and if I am enjoying on set. I then told them that I call Vikram sir pajji and he also calls me pajji. He couldn’t believe that I have turned him (Vikramaditya Motwane) into a half-Punjabi (laughs Aparshakti).