I have always felt that my journey has been painfully slow: Ayush Sharma

Ayush Sharma’s third film ‘Ruslaan’ marks the debut of Sushrii Mishraa on the big screen. The movie also stars Jagapathi Babu, Vidya Malvade and Suniel Shetty in a special appearance. The film is releasing on April 26 and is directed by Karan L Butani, and produced by K K Radhamohan of Sri Sathya Sai Arts.

During the trailer launch of the film, Ayush revealed that he was keen to do an action film, saying, “I have always loved doing action films. I had a dream when I was in North India, watching movies where actors would shoot song sequences abroad – I used to see Shah Rukh bhai and Salman bhai doing that and I used to enjoy that. It was my wish to do that as well as action. I could fulfill that wish with ‘Loveyatri’. But I had never chosen a career thinking that I want to do action. ‘Antim’ happened and I thought I should take up action, where I play a character with shades of gray. For ‘Ruslaan’, Yunus Sajawal, the writer of this film who is like an elder brother to me, came to me and narrated this idea to me. On listening to the story, I felt that it was not just an action film, the action is like a forefront, there is an emotional story behind it. It is not just about fighting, there is a reason behind it, plus I got a chance to do something which I could not do in my previous two films, that is, offer an entire entertainment package – where there is action, comedy, romance, emotions, it is like a complete meal. It is a script where you get everything in the right doses. I love action, but I am sure I will drop the gun which I am holding in this film.”

In ‘Loveyatri’, Arbaaz and Sohail Khan had made guest appearances and in ‘Antim’, Salman Khan had played a special part. Now Ayush’s latest film ‘Ruslaan’ will have Suniel Shetty playing a special role. Talking about that Ayush said, “I am getting a chance to work with my heroes and share screen space with them, so I am just fulfilling my dreams. In ‘Loveyatri’, I wanted to share the screen with Sohail and Arbaaz Bhai. I got lucky when Salman Bhai came with me on screen in the next film. It was a mesmerizing feeling for me. I’d always looked up to Suniel Sir. I’ve always feel he is very dynamic and I love his charisma. For so many years I have known him off camera, he has always been the most wonderful man I have known in the industry and it was my desire to share the screen with Suniel Sir as well. When we approached Suniel Sir, he was gracious enough to say “I am coming”. When he came on set, I started thanking him and then he stopped me and said, “I will go back home if you will do that!”

Continuing further, he said, “Suniel Sir always adds value to the screenplay. I would say his role is not just a cameo, it was placed very smartly in the screenplay. His role was required to elevate the film.”

This is for the first time that Ayush is working outside Salman Khan Film’s production company. Speaking about it, he said, “I have been in this industry for five years, I have always felt that my journey has been painfully slow. But I also enjoy this journey a lot, because I am involved in every film of mine very passionately. After ‘Loveyatri’, when I came to know that I have to do ‘Antim,’ it took me three years to prepare for my role – to work on my body and to understand my character. That film was very important for me. Around the same time Karan and I were discussing ‘Ruslaan’, which, for me, was a great opportunity. I think when you get to work outside of your family, you get to learn a lot of new things. ‘Ruslaan’ is the result of everything I have learnt so far.”

He added, “If one thinks I was spoilt, Karan and Radhamohan sir have fixed me! When they made me stand bare chested in minus six degrees celsius weather in Azerbaijan, the spoilt brat in me vanished. But honestly, it is not about the intention that I didn’t want to do films outside of SFK. I am an actor first, I am hungry, and I would want to do as many good films as I can that are offered to me, and that too passionately. It doesn’t matter who is producing the film, I would love to work. My journey has just started and I don’t think I have the liberty to stay in a comfort zone. I have realised one thing with ‘Ruslaan’ – that when you step out of your comfort zone and come out of your protective world, there is a lot of risk, but with risk comes a lot of experience too. I am ready to go out there, I was ready from the first film, but how my career has panned out and how films were taking time, but now that I am here. I am grateful that Radhamohan sir chose me for this film. I will keep working in outside banners, but whenever SKF asks me to do a film with them, it will be an honour to work with them again.”