''Miles to go before I sleep'', quoting this popular line from the poem 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' by Robert Frost, actor Naveen Kasturia expresses his desire to do more good and quality work. He is one of the OGs of the web shows much before it became a trend. Currently, everyone's favourite, Naveen has got lots of accolades and love for his portrayal of Abhilash in 'Aspirants'. Being an outsider and making a name for himself in the industry, he has come a long way in his career. Though he started his acting career with films; his debut film being 'Sulemaani Keeda', it was TVF's 'Pitchers' that made him an overnight sensation. He became a household name with the show.
Recently, Garima Das of Outlook India had a freewheeling conversation with Naveen Kasturia where he spoke about doing quality work rather than quantity, expressed his desire to work in big productions, opened up about his past struggles and not losing hope and a lot more. Here are the excerpts from the interview:
With season one of 'Aspirants', the bar is already set high. Did you feel the pressure of doing better in 'Aspirants 2'?
There is pressure when you don't read the script. Once you read the script, you know that you have to shoot and there is nothing you can do about it. The only thing is how truthfully you can do with the material that is provided to you. There is no pressure or curiosity because all the task is of the makers. Once we are on set we are just trying to work on independence scenes and there is pressure only to give the best.
Do you feel with 'Aspirants' more people have recognised you now?
I am very happy with people recognising me but what I am seeking and what I would want is to be part of more good scripts. That's what I have always strived for. There is no formula for it and you have to be consistent at what you are doing. I just hope if I keep delivering good work maybe the industry will take notice of me and maybe good scripts will come to me. I appreciate those who've provided me with these opportunities and while recognition has always been there, it's not my only priority. I've received it for a while. Right now, I'm focused on finding meaningful projects. When you do good work it garners attention and I believe I'm in the category of actors where quality work will get me more good work.
I don't have lots of connections and I don't know lots of people who make films. I have been here since long time and honestly, I haven't really met big people. I want people should take notice of me as an actor. I would want that to happen and now there are miles to go before I sleep.
Are you someone who asks for work or do you want filmmakers to approach you?
People who I know and with whom I worked in the past, I approach them whenever I connect with them. Whenever I know they are going to start something, I approach them. People who are not friends I feel it very awkward to approach. There are a lot of people with whom I want to work. I met Anurag Kashyap a lot of times and I have known him for a long time. So, whenever I meet him I always ask him work. I even asked Sudhir Mishra for work.
Now, I don't feel hesitant to ask for work and it's not difficult for me to do it. But you don't get work by asking. This is a luck-driven profession also. I think luck is an important part. My acting career started with Pitchers. If it hadn't come to me I don't know what I would have done now. It became a successful show and my journey started. To get a hit show being an outsider is all about luck. And I don't even look like a conventional protagonist.
Are you feeling safe in this space or are you planning to return to films in the future?
Many films now premiere directly on OTT platforms, and even theatrical releases eventually transition to streaming services. Everyone seems to be exploring OTT. While I receive many offers for independent film scripts, I'm more hesitant about projects aimed at theatrical releases. I've had experiences with ambitious independent films that faced challenges.
Currently, I'm seeking strong scripts. Collaborating with established production houses is crucial to ensure a successful release. After Aspirants and Breathe, I'm looking to work with major productions. My focus is on exceptional scripts with big production houses.
You have seen struggles in the earlier phase of your career. Now, when you look back, do you feel it has been paid off?
First of all, I don't think my struggles have ended. Finding work is a struggle and still, I am not in that category who can say, 'I am getting lots of offers or great scripts'. I am choosing work that I like to be part of and I don't think in these two years, I have done work that you can say 'this is stupid'. You might not like them but they are not stupid. I am serving something new or the other. Earlier, I was looking for the direction and I was never disappointed or lost hope. I thought once I get the direction things would become easier. Now, I have found the direction but things are not easier still. Things have changed but an actor is always hungry and looks for good work. So, I don't see my past as like those were my bad times because I was always hopeful and positive about the future. I have always been optimistic and there was no goal in my head honestly. I used to feel this was the process and I was enjoying it even when I was in the direction. When my first film happened and I shot in 2012, I didn't lose hope till it released in 2014 in December. Because I always could see that there was an opportunity. Then Pitchers happened and I started looking forward to it. The only difference between then and now is that there is financial stability now. Mentally I used to be cool back then as I am now.
