Sushant Singh Rajput opens up about his plans for 2017

Sushant Singh Rajput made it to the big league in 2016. His outstanding performance in and as MS Dhoni: The Untold Story stunned everyone and silenced the critics. 2016 also saw him split with his girlfriend of seven years, Ankita Lokhande.
He opens up about his plans in 2017 and we can’t wait to watch him in another stellar performance. Here are some excerpts from his interview with a leading daily.

How do you look back on the Dhoni experience?
It was a special experience and I really enjoyed living that character.2016 was also the year you went through a painful separation with your companion of seven years.

How much has that experience changed your life?
I lack skills to think about past and future in a deep sense. I don’t reflect and anticipate. I like sticking to what it is at this point of time.

Dhoni fetched you immense praise. But some of the Best Actor awards are going to other actors. Does that disappoint you?
I won’t lie. If I’m there to witness the awards, I do feel slightly awkward when I don’t win. A bit of acknowledgment from you folks could be a nice feeling. Having said that, me getting or not getting an award does not in any manner affect the way I go about my next project or my equation with my work.

Which performances in the past year did you like?
As far as performances are concerned, I think Manoj Bajpayee in Aligarh and Swara Bhaskar in Nil Battey Sannata are my favourites of 2016.

You are now doing Raabta. What do you expect from yourself in this film?
I am almost done with the shooting of Raabta. We have tried to attempt a new grammar of romance and it’s looking damn good of what I’ve heard. I hope it gets a warm response from everyone who watched it.

You learnt to play the guitar for this film. Do you plan to pursue a career in music?
I was learning it for Homi Adjania’s film called Takkadum, and I still am. Although music had been a part of my life but I never had any first-hand experience of playing an instrument. It’s a strangely wonderful experience and I intend to continue and explore more.

Tell me about your plans to go on stage?
I have fond memories and immense respect for stage acting. I am trying to put one play together and am looking forward to experiencing going on stage very soon.

You also intend to turn producer. What kind of films will you produce?
Films that excite me on some level and need my support in getting made. I’m also thinking of a different startup that will do the same. Filmmakers looking for funding could get benefited. I always feel money flowing from irrelevance to relevance is a good thing.

What should the audience expect from you in 2017 and what do you expect from yourself in the coming year?
People should expect that whatever films I do, I will strive to be original and provide entertainment value.