EXCLUSIVE: Karan Hariharan talks about his debut film and much more

Actor Karan Hariharan, son of the legendary singer Hariharan, is all set to foray into movies with writer-director Abhishek Jawkar’s crime thriller ‘Missing On A Weekend‘. Karan plays a crucial character in the film which is an investigating crime story based in Goa.

In an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Karan Hariharan spoke about his debut venture, his singing aspirations and his upcoming projects.

Something about your character in ‘Missing On A Weekend’…
My character in the movie is called Laksh. He is very intelligent, shy and a very respectful person. The thing about the character is that it’s not about his background, but actually what happens in the film. So basically, seven people go to Goa. Laksh gets hit in the head by a rod, he loses his memory, and his one friend is dead, five are missing. Then it’s about how the police officers help him and how he helps them.

In this movie, you get to share screen space with a very senior actor Pawan Malhotra. How was the experience of working with him?
It’s a dream come true. I have watched Pawan Sir’s work before. His English work called ‘Brothers in Trouble’, then movies like ‘Black Friday’, ‘Bagh Bahadur’ and I simply loved him. Since I was a kid, I always admired him and wanted to work with him. He is an amazing actor, very talented and very dedicated to his job. And for someone like me, who is a newcomer, he helped me a lot. Not only on sets, because on set when action happens it’s easy for me to act, because I have to react. It becomes easier for an actor to act when the other actor is at such a higher level. It takes two people to make a scene and take the story ahead.

What made you choose this project as your debut vehicle?
Actually it’s the other way around. This film chose me. I studied in Los Angeles. The director Abhishek Jawkar called me and once I came back, I met him. He called me at his office and I didn’t even know it was for a role in his movie. I thought it must be for assisting him or something. So 15 minutes into the audition, I was welcomed into Bollywood.

Your father, singer Hariharan is indeed a legendary singer. So do you also love singing as much as your father does?

Yes, I love music, I play the guitar, piano, so it’s not like I do not like singing at all.

So then what made you choose acting over singing?
I love acting much more. Even when I’m singing, or playing the guitar, I’m still acting.

You have learnt acting professionally from a renowned institute like ‘Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute’. How did it shape you as an actor? Did it boost your confidence when facing the camera?
Well, learning technicalities is very important for an actor. And I know that there are differences between an actor who is trained and an actor who is not trained. I was lucky enough to be told that when I was working on this project that it doesn’t feel like it’s my first project. When they told me that, it was an amazing feeling. I give all the credit to my teachers in my institute because they prepare you so well for the professional field that it’s not just about confidence, it’s more about not only as an actor, but as a human being they make you grow. They teach you to become a better human being. That itself will make you a better actor. It’s a holistic approach to things rather than specific approach.

Have you ever given a thought to dabble into regional cinema?
Yes, I will. My goal in life is to do all kinds of cinema. Be it Hollywood, Bollywood, European etc. I don’t see industries, I see films. I watch Korean films, Japanese films, Irish films. If you see a well-shot product, even if you don’t get the language, if the acting is good, the writing is good and the film is shot well, you will know what’s happening in it. Language isn’t a barrier for a film, it’s a visual medium.

Your elder brother Akshay Hariharan is also debuting as a music director with your debut film ‘Missing On A Weekend’. How did it feel working on the same movie that he is also a part of?
No, he is not the music director of my debut film, but yes he is a music director. He was too tied up with other projects and the dates were clashing so he couldn’t allot dates for this project.

Since you come from a family of musicians, do you also plan to sing in any of your movies in the near future?
Someday, if an interesting song comes up. It’s not like it is easier for me to sing because I still had to work hard to learn singing. Yes I had easier access to singing. As a kid, I did join Hindustani singing classes. I’m not a brilliant singer but yes I can sing. I did learn classical singing as a kid, but I stopped around the age of 13 and also did shows with dad and my brother till I was 17. And then I said, “Dad I’m done. I can’t do this anymore because I want to focus on my acting career.”

What do you think about theatre as a medium?
I love theatre. I used to do theatre all the time. I love theatre because it’s very different. There are certain advantages and disadvantages in theatre. An advantage in theatre is your character arc. You start and you have an arc at one shot. With films, it always switches around because one day you are shooting in this part of the film and next day some other part. So, it is difficult for an actor to switch around.

What do you enjoy doing more – acting in films or theatre?
I enjoy acting, whether it’s stage or movies, so the medium doesn’t matter. Both are equally close to my heart.

What about television? If you get any good offer there, would you grab it?
I haven’t broached the matter as yet, but if the material is good and the character is strong enough, then I’m not against anything. I’m open to any medium.

Your upcoming projects…
My next film is an action film. It’s still under wraps. I cannot reveal any more details about the film as yet.

ALSO READ: Dishank Arora makes his Bollywood debut with ‘Missing on a Weekend’