Utkarsh Sharma on Vanvaas: ‘I was emotionally attracted to the story the minute I heard it’

After the blockbuster success of Gadar 2, director Anil Sharma’s next Vanvaas is streaming on ZEE5. The film stars veteran Nana Patekar and the director’s son and actor Utkarsh Sharma who also starred in Gadar 2. We chatted with Utkarsh about Vanvaas, his role, working with Nana Patekar, family, and more.

When did your father (director Anil Sharma) tell you about the story of Vanvaas and how did you react to it?

Utkarsh Sharma: We were in the middle of developing Gadar 2 when Papa told me the story about an old man abandoned by his family. I was emotionally attracted to the story the minute I heard it. He built a dynamic of an old man and a young boy. I was sure that we had to make the film. It is a sad reality of the country that despite being a family-oriented culture many parents are abandoned in their old age. That too at pilgrimages that are an abode of our cultural values and virtues. The poor would still look after their parents but the rich abandon them.

If you go to places such as Mathura and Vrindavan, you’ll see widowed women dying to see their kids. It is a harsh reality. I liked the social and emotional angle of the film. We were conscious about not making the film melodramatic. You can see that in the film’s trailer. It is entertaining and colourful. It’s like Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Anand (1971) which makes you laugh and cry.

I requested the writers that I’d love to play the young boy and that he has to bring some colour to the film. So, they set the film in Banaras where life comes full circle. The character they gave me is very interesting. I was smiling when I heard the scenes. I was on board. We were sure Vanvaas would be our next film after Gadar 2 even before the latter was released. And I was all the more determined when Nana Patekar came on board.

Tell us about the character Veeru Bhaiya that you are playing in Vanvaas.

Utkarsh Sharma: I play Veeru Bhaiya Volunteer. He is a ‘Banaras ka chhora’ who has grown up on the ghats. He does not have a family of his own. He is from the streets so his mindset is also like that. He sees life and death every day so he’s unshaken by it. He seems funny from the outside but he has his internal struggles. He meets the old man played by Nana Patekar and the story starts to unfold. Veeru has his ulterior motifs. He is not innocent. He is a layered character and that’s why I liked him.

What were your references to play a boy from Banaras?

Utkarsh Sharma: Although I had been to Uttar Pradesh, I had never been to Banaras. From Amitabh Bachchan to Govinda, some actors have played memorable Banarasi characters. I wanted Veeru to have an identity different from others. I had less time to prepare. Within a month after Gadar 2, we started working on Vanvaas. The shoot started with Nana sir so I used that time to explore Banaras as a local with guides.

I used to spend 3-4 hours on the ghats and the boats to get the feel of the place and observe people. I used to listen carefully to people to get the right dialect and temperament for the character. Neither did I want to stereotype Veeru. But I didn’t want him to look out of place either. It was quite fun exploring Banaras and gorging on local food. You can’t become a Banarasi until you eat Banarasi food.

Were you nervous while facing Nana Patekar in front of the camera?

Utkarsh Sharma: We have heard stories about Nana Patekar being difficult to work with. But I didn’t find him to be difficult. I found him to be a dedicated and motivated actor. Despite his body of work, on set, he was like it was his first or his last day on set. As a young actor, it was very inspiring to work with Nana Patekar. He would step out of his vanity van as a character. He doesn’t carry the baggage of stardom when he is working. He was very open to improvising and suggestions. He has a way of comforting his co-actors.

You live with your father. You have worked with him. Is there still room for surprises when he’s directing you on set?

Utkarsh Sharma: I have assisted him in his direction. He has directed me in three films. Usually, I know what he wants from his gestures and direction style. But sometimes, if I don’t get something right, he has his way of explaining what he wants from me, for that matter all his actors. His imagination is vivid. Sometimes, he would change the setting of a scene from what was written in the script. Sometimes, if you have read his scripts, you might not be able to fully imagine how a shot or a scene would be shot. You come to know that when you are on the set seeing him construct a scene. So, yeah, sometimes, I still do get surprised.

Every son is looking for validation from his father. Your father is your director too. Was there a moment when you wanted his validation as a father and filmmaker?

Utkarsh Sharma: He is a very relaxed father. He never expected me to get certain grades. As a son, he expects me to be a good human being, that’s all. As an actor, he wants me to push myself. He’s the coach. But ultimately, it’s me who needs to dribble past the coach and score a goal. He lets me be. He guides whenever it’s needed.

I started acting in theatre before my film debut Genius (2018). I used to rehearse in front of him at home. I wanted his validation. What does he think of me? Sometimes, he would say, this is not coming from your heart, this could be better and things like that. Getting a nod from him after I showed him my improved act was a validation for me. He didn’t push me beyond that. He said, “It is your journey”. The acting courses and theatre I did were my choices. He wanted me to fall in love with the work rather than him trying to make me fall.

You are reuniting with Simratt Kaur immediately after Gadar 2. What’s your equation with her like?

Utkarsh Sharma: Simratt is a natural actress. We got her after more than 500 girls who auditioned for Gadar 2. It was like the scene from Om Shanti Om when Deepika Padukone gets cast. Literally, the last girl who auditioned gets selected. We didn’t have much time to groom her. She put a lot of hard work into that film.

With Simratt, communication is very easy. She will deliver what is expected from her. She is very instinctive and I like that about her. She is game for improvisation. She is playing a nautankiwali in Vanvaas. As far as our chemistry is concerned, we are very open with each other. There’s no barrier in our communication. Both of us like being on our toes so the moments when we’re losing light during a shoot or there’s a time crunch are the best times for us.

People liked us in Gadar 2. We cast her in Vanvaas not only because of the Gadar 2 factor but she fit the role. She got her narration and she liked the story. And she was ready to do the film.

As this film is about family, what does family mean to you?

Utkarsh Sharma: Family to me is everything. Especially, during covid, all you had was your family. And many of us realised that we don’t really need anything beyond our family. I was fortunate to have spent a lot of time with my family under one roof. My sister and I are working professionals in the creative field so our work hours are not fixed. So, whenever we get time to spend time together, it’s really precious. My father lost his father after the lockdown. It was saddening because I have my parents but my father lost that hand over his head.

My Nani (maternal grandmother) came to Banaras on the shoot of Vanvaas. That was the last time I met her. I was fortunate to have those moments with her. So, yeah, family is everything to me.