Got to let go after two years of working on it: Bhuvan Bam

Bhuvan Bam

How will Bhuvan Bam celebrate after Taaza Khabar drops online? The YouTube star-turned-actor plans to catch up on his sleep. The rest is much needed since he has spent the past two years focusing single-mindedly on the upcoming Disney+ Hotstar satire, which marks his web series debut. In a chat with mid-day, Bam of Dhindora fame talks about his first series, learning from his co-stars, and how the show is a tribute to his mother.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

You started your journey lampooning a reporter for insensitively questioning a woman about her child's death. Now, you are playing a reporter of sorts in Taaza Khabar. Life has come a full circle for you.

I didn't think of it that way until you said so. The story of Taaza Khabar was bound to be told to people. We have been working on it relentlessly.

Besides acting, how have you contributed to this series?
I have been a part of every [creative] session. I have sat on the edits as much as the editor. I have been privy to all the music sessions, wherever creative control is required, and even some VFX meetings.

Actors rarely get to be an integral part of the filmmaking process. Is there any department that you'd like to explore?
The one department I haven't explored is marketing. I have always trusted the content I make [to grab eyeballs seamlessly]. Some day, I wish to become a pro in marketing my own [shows]. Dancing is another thing I cannot do. I [also shy away] from photoshoots because I don't know what to do with my hands and legs.

Also Read: Bhuvan Bam juggled different 'roles' in 'Taaza Khabar'

What did you learn during the series' making?
I have done Dhindora all on my own, so I know [the characters] in and out. Taaza Khabar is like a leap of faith. To come from that background [YouTuber] and do something like this is a massive jump for me. As an actor, I have explored [my capabilities] internally and externally. Shooting with these co-stars has been a great learning experience.

You have often relied on yourself to play all the characters. Was it easy to trust your co-stars?
Yes. Shriya Pilgaonkar, Prathamesh [Parab], and Deven sir [Bhojani] have vast experience. Working with them only left me in awe. That is how I was the first five days. Most of the learning happens off camera when you speak to them. When you get to know your co-actors personally, it reflects on screen. I talked to them about everything except work.

What did you find challenging in this series?
[Taking it] from script to screen was a challenge. It is relatively a new project for everyone - from the director to me. The creative decisions that we had to take, especially when shooting in live locations, were [tough]. We cannot stop people from riding their bikes, or stepping out of their houses. Post-production too involves a lot of matha khapchi [laughs]. I have been learning so much that the left side of my brain [has stopped working]. Now, I got to learn to let go since I have spent almost two years working on this project. It is very dear to me, and I had become possessive when the trailer came out.

Taaza Khabar is an ode to your mother. Hence, you wanted to release it on her birth anniversary. How do you think your parents would have reacted?
I think wherever they are, they would be thumping their chest proudly. They would be rejoicing and eating ras malai.