Raghav Juyal he’s as tough on screen as most of his on-screen characters, especially his character-stealer in ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’. Bursting with wit and an effortless sense of humor, she comes across as witty, spontaneous and refreshingly unfiltered. But beneath the fun-loving exterior is a player determined not to stick to one genre.From creating his own dance show to becoming a popular television host and making a place for himself as an actor, Raghav’s journey has not been easy. However, he has faced every challenge with fearlessness and determination. Today, she stands strong, confident and ready to push her limits with every new project. Like his latest film, ‘Bhai Tera Star Hai‘, which releases in theaters today, Raghav sits down to talk candidly about the film, his evolution as an actor, the transition from television to the big screen, and why he believes the show deserves a comeback. Read on…
‘Bhai Tera Star Hai’ is your first film with you as the main lead if one can say, one also feels that this film is a comedy with a lot of humor, how was it doing this?
It was amazing. I read the script and, at that moment, I said, “I have to do this.” I knew I couldn’t leave it because it was new. It’s not a joke; it’s something new. There is a place in comics that has been around for a while now. The same kind of drama Govinda and some of those who used to perform are missing, and the audience is much smaller today. The environment everywhere is so strong that there must be a wave of comedy. People will come to the theater, laugh, have fun, and go home feeling good. So I said, “Let’s do this.” It was very interesting.
Do you think this film will fill that gap?
Yes, it should. After this, I have a lot of work coming up, so I wanted to tell the audience that I’m still the same kid, the same guy. Come, enjoy, laugh, and go home in peace.
Do you feel that after ‘The Killing’, there has been a change in the way people see you or the type of content you started to receive? The critical acclaim the film received was seen as a turning point. Then ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’ happened again. Do you feel that the work changed things for you?
Yes, absolutely. After ‘The Killing’, the whole industry’s perception of me changed, and that was very important. After that came ‘Gyaarah Gyaarah’, ‘Yudhra’, and ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’. Now, as an actor and as a star, you have to give variety to the audience. The audience has changed. They can discern what is good and what is not. So you have to work for yourself and stay at that level.
What has been the hardest part of your journey so far?
The only difficult part has been the transition from television to reinventing myself as an actress. We are successful. I know I have talent. But creating that image where people come to theaters to see you, where audiences want to see you on the big screen—is a completely different game.
So were there any challenges to being a theater director?
I am sure.
Have you always had this confidence, or is it something you had to work on?
I don’t know if it’s confidence or not.
What do you mean by this?
You have to be your own teacher. You have to motivate yourself. If I’m going to do it, then I’m going to do it. You must continue to tell yourself consciously. Now it’s my turn to take the lead. People want someone like me to do big so they can dream big too.
Do you think it is still difficult to avoid emotions? Paresh Rawal he recently said that he does not want to be portrayed as Baburao after ‘Hera Pheri’. Does this still happen—that as soon as you play one character well, you start getting similar notes?
Yes, it happens that you find similar articles and become stereotyped. But it is up to you to decide whether to do it or not.
Finally, what would you like to say about ‘Bhai Tera Superstar’ and all the upcoming projects, including ‘Vikram Maalik’?
Before I start the big projects, I want to bring comics to theaters for people to enjoy. Nature is very complex. Everyone has problems in their daily life. At least come to the theater and enjoy. I want to give people that level. Before any medication, the doctor prescribes an antacid. If you feel good, you can see the rest.
You said it very well in a recent interview, when you were asked about being self-protective Shehnaaz Gill in the viral video, that you will always be a protector of every woman and that your parents forbade you to be such a man. In general, what do you do with people who write about your life? Also, do you think men are changing their attitude these days when it comes to being a protector, a caretaker?
It’s up to you. You have to do what you think is right. I guess I’m old school. I was raised to be protective and nurturing. This is how I have been. My mother and aunt raised me very well. I believe that women should be respected, and if they are in a group like that, they should be protected. People can say different things, but whatever I did there, I did it for self-defense.