In an exclusive interaction with mid-day, Vipin Sharma, who plays Siddhant Chaturvedi’s father in Dhadak 2, opens up on playing a 'launda dancer', his humiliation scene, and more
Vipin Sharma
After his stint as a transgender in Dev Patel’s Monkey Man, seasoned actor Vipin Sharma was initially hesitant to come on board Dhadak 2, assuming the role would be similar, but agreed when it turned out to be different. In an exclusive interaction with mid-day, Vipin, who plays Siddhant Chaturvedi’s father in the film, said, “They are called launda dancers. I was excited because it would require me to lip-sync to a song. I love dancing. It was a part that I had never done before. To dress up as a girl and dance! I mean, what else can a man ask for? (Laughs).”
Vipin Sharma on his ‘humiliation scene’ in Dhadak 2
For those who haven’t watched the film, Vipin’s character is subjected to public humiliation where he is stripped of his clothes. When asked how he reacted to the idea of doing the scene, Vipin asserts, “I wanted to go all out. I shaved my legs because I wanted to look vulnerable. You know, the skinny legs of a person being humiliated. I wanted to go more than that. I wanted to do anything for that scene. I told Shazia (Iqbal), throw me in a ditch or do whatever you want. But this scene must make that kind of impact.”
Drawing similarities with Siddhant’s character Neelesh, he states, “I grew up in a slum. My upbringing was similar to the one shown in the film.”
A young Vipin wanted to participate in a guest anchoring gig for Akashvani (now All India Radio), but was hesitant just to enter the premises. He recalls, “It took me a couple of hours to just have enough courage to go inside this big Akashvani building. I felt so small. I kept walking around the gate. I entered a few times and then got scared and came out. It took me a huge amount of time to go and say that I wanted to do it.”
Vipin Sharma did 8 films for free
As a veteran actor who has been a part of showbiz for years, one would assume Vipin’s got a plethora of options to choose from, but he begs to differ. “There’s a certain idea of filmmaking in Mumbai. These days, they ask how many followers you have. I am fortunate that my own work has created work for me. I’ve never had any substantial encouragement or help from anybody. I make sure whatever I do makes sense to me and gives something in return. I always find a way to do a small role with a big heart.”
He adds, “It’s not been easy. I would love to do way more than what I am doing right now. I’ve done about 8 films for free. The reason is that these films were difficult to make when they were being made. Not that I am a very rich man. I also try to survive in this big city like any other actor who is really committed to their work. But the idea was to contribute. Have these films made.”
After Taare Zameen Par, Vipin’s second shot at fame was Monkey Man, which was never released in India. “I would have been thrilled if it did, because a lot of people get to see your work. We get work from filmmakers, not the audience,” he signs off.
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