Films I do will create my identity: Harshvardhan

“I want to do new kind of films. I want to create my own identity. I don’t look at it at that way (family legacy). I look at myself and the films that I will be doing, and that films will create my identity,” said Harshvardhan.

Coming from a family that boasts of actors like Anil Kapoor, Sridevi and Arjun Kapoor, the newcomer has a lot to look up to but Harshvardhan does not see it as a burden.When asked if he thinks his actor-father Anil Kapoor’s name is a burden for him, Harshvardhan said, “It depends on how things go. There are pros and cons. I don’t think it is a burden. I don’t see it as a burden.” 

The 25-year-old newcomer’s film, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra will hit the screens October 7 but he has already signed on his next - Vikramaditya Motwane’s Bhavesh Joshi. Written by Gulzar, Mirzya is inspired by Punjabi folklore of ‘Mirza Sahiban’. 

“The youth today is quite mature. Everybody can relate to love, understand the theme of soulmates, music is universal and visuals are young in the film. May be in two-three weeks we will get them excited more through promotions,” Harshvardhan said.

For Mehra’s directorial venture Mirzya, the budding actor transformed himself to play the dual roles of a stable boy and a warrior. 

“I have got dirt on my face. It’s the character which is that way. I let go my vanity for this film. It is attractive in a certain way. I did achieve physical fitness for both parts, but it is raw, athletic and rugged. I had the facial look to carry it off,  that is why I was cast. It may not look good on most people. I think I may not look good as a chocolate boy,” he said. 

“I think if I am looking good then that is Mehra’s magic, it is nothing about me. It’s the director’s medium, so it’s about how they choose to present you. Mehra is the best. Also the prep took 18 months, it was like a film in itself. It helped me a lot to work on my scenes,” he said.

The young actor says he doesn’t enjoy the usual promotional strategies. “We have kept it a little low profile. We have four weeks left for the film to release and it’s a long time and a lot can happen in four weeks. I think it’s better at times not to go beserk in the beginning, put out your content first then step out,” he said. 

Usually actors visit malls, colleges, go to reality shows and daily soaps to promote their films, besides city tours. However, Harshvardhan doesn’t seem to like this way of promoting a film.

“I think we can just put out the trailer, songs, have nice interviews and do things related to our film and then let the marketing team take over,” he said. “Why go to reality shows? We need to figure out different ways to promote a film. It’s my first film so I will do it. If people accept me I will have it my way,” he added.

The romantic-drama also marks the debut of Saiyami Kher, niece of noted actress Tanvi Azmi.