I don’t want to be Shah Rukh Khan, I’d rather be Boman Irani, says Satyadeep Misra

Satyadeep Misra’s name may not be as familiar as his face. He is, however, a man who has made the industry sit up and take notice. Last seen as Shaan in Phobia, Satyadeep has also been a part of Bombay Velvet and No One Killed Jessica. In a candid conversation, Satyadeep talks about how the lack of movie offers suits him just fine.

The actor says that the mad pace associated with the film industry does not affect him. “I am happy with the pace at which I’m going and I believe that things will happen when they have to,” says Satyadeep, who has a special love for movie sets. “It’s not the cinema that I’m passionate about. It’s being on the sets is that gives me a high. The end product is just incidental to me.”

Satyadeep is considered to be a fine actor despite the fact that he has not been seen in too many movies. “I don’t get offered too much film work, probably because casting directors have a pre-conceived notion of what I might or might not be able to pull off on screen,” he groans. “There are also times when people think that I won’t do something even before they approach me, especially in case of TV commercials. This is probably because I ask to read TVC scripts before I go for the audition. I don’t want to waste my time and theirs if I don’t see myself as a part of the project. This tends to piss people off as they see it as an insult!”

Lounging in his Versova apartment, the actor says, “I don’t want to be a Shah Rukh Khan; I’d much rather be a Boman Irani.” He quickly adds to this, “There’s a certain amount of stress associated with being a Shah Rukh Khan. I want to have an innings like Boman’s; he works across the board, can choose different types of roles, and is highly respected. This would be a comfortable space—where one is free to be one’s self, and is not constantly battling an army trying to pull one down.”

When prodded further, the actor reveals, “I’m not insecure about the usual questions about age. I believe the quality of work that comes my way will improve, as I grow older. I started off late and it has worked to my advantage. I dabbled in many fields before acting and haven’t led a closed, blinkered existence that most people around me lead. This is also why I don’t look to get a sense of affirmation solely from my roles. I get it from the life I’ve lived. I just have to focus on staying patient and keep at it.”

Satyadeep is also unperturbed by the lack of focus on him during movie promotions. “If you talk about Phobia, it is clearly Radhika’s film. I don’t think my presence during promotions would result in more people watching it,” he says. In fact, he prefers using the backdoor during events. “I think everyone enjoys getting attention but I have a problem if that becomes the motivating factor being your work. I always try and slip in through the backdoor at film screenings, especially if I’m not part of that film, because I enjoy the freedom the relative anonymity gives you.”

Besides films, Satyadeep is passionate about yoga and nature. “They’re a very important part of my life and help me recharge. Ideally, I’d like to work just eight or nine months a year and spend the remaining time in the mountains or by the sea.” The actor, however, will have to wait a while before he takes that trip, since he’s slated to shoot for a new TV series in the coming months.