By Rachel Astarte Piccione

THE SOUL SESSIONS: SOUTH ASIAN ARTISTS SPEAK ABOUT THEIR CRAFT

PRASHANT KUMAR, Actor
I first met actor Prashant Kumar last winter at a business dinner with a couple of film associates. What I remember most was Prashant’s infectious positivity...and also the fact that we both really dug the goat cheese and walnut salad we were sharing. Our mutual adoration for appetizers aside, since that time I’ve discovered that at only 24, Prashant has studied at some of the best places in New York -- Weist-Barron, TVI Studios, and the Atlantic Theatre Company. He’s done print modeling for Shaadi.com, Indian Express, Goldman Sachs, and Vonage. This spring, he completed his first starring role in a feature film, “Rainbow Raani,” directed by Mickey Nivelli.

RAP: Tell me a bit about “Rainbow Raani.”
PK: It’s a multi-dimensional English feature film shot in Guyana and New York. You must be wondering what I mean be by multi-dimensional. It’s a genre of its own: true to life. The film revolves around a small time music band with dreams of making it to the global music scene. For starters, the music band comprises four young guys, all different ethnicities -- Indian, Chinese, Caucasian, and Black.

No prizes for guessing, I play the Indian guy and I also happen to be the lead player of the band. The film explores many facets of people and life -- love, lust, tragedy, comedy, passion and even homosexuality and hypocrisy. On top of all that, “Rainbow Raani” is really exciting for me, since it’s my first international feature film.

RAP: How did the project come about?
PK:In May 2005 -- a year before the movie was completed -- I was visiting the Chairman of Bollywood Group, Mr. Kamal Dandona. I live in Long Island, and he happens to live there, too. I met him through a friend of mine, Mr. Willie Sharma. Kamal-ji casually mentioned that his friend Mickey Nivelli [right] was on his way to direct a movie called “Rainbow Raani.” He was about to give me the script, but instead of going that route, he called Mickey-ji right in front of me and recommended me. When I got home, I called Mickey-ji myself and his first words to me were, “any friend of Kamal Dandona is a friend of mine.” That statement immediately melted every fear and inhibition inside of me.

I had to go to India, and we met a month later when I got back. But now there was a different producer attached, and he was not interested in meeting me for some yet unsolved mysterious reason...! So here I was, possibly embarking upon what may have been my first break, but this producer comes in as an obstacle. About month later I just called up Kamal-ji again to say hello and much to my delight, he told me that the producer who was doing the film was no longer doing it! Immediately, I called up Mickey-ji and went to meet him. By the time I had my fourth meeting with him, I was cast as the lead role of Raaj Kumar.

RAP: Whether it’s this role of Raaj or any other, can you say a little about how do you prepare to play a part?
PK: Acting is about discovery, a combination of preparation and spontaneity. I am very inspired by Aamir Khan, he’s one of my all time favorite actors. Much like him, my preparation for a role involves numerous discussions with the director about the story, underlying essence, the character and overall message of the subject.

My prep work includes trying my level best to get into the physicality of the character which involves language, vocal modulation, hair, clothes. Most actors would refrain from intensive rehearsal, and I do, too, but it really helps to close my eyes, imagine myself on location and perform mentally. I also work hard on the other side of the process, discipline with fellow artists/technicians, strengthening relationships with the director and producer...and being punctual!

RAP: Do you find yourself drawn to particular themes/messages in the work you do?
PK: As an actor, genre is really not all that important to me, but I would hope that everything I do has some kind of a message. And it’s not necessary that I be the one delivering the message, I just want to be a part of an entire work of art that has a message, and messages of good and evil, and so on can be delivered through drama, comedy, romance...

RAP: So, what kind of genres speak most deeply to you?
PK:: I will say that I do have a stronger personal liking towards intense drama and romance and I hope I can live up to these kinds of films very well.

RAP: Heavy question, here: What’s your obligation as an artist? As a human being? Do you think they’re connected in any way?
PK: I surely think they are connected in many ways. As an artist and human being, I have to be true to myself and responsible towards my duties and commitments. So, what I’m basically saying is I have a responsibility to fulfill my duties towards my director, producer, film as well towards my health and my family. Being an artist is not entirely about how I am in front of the camera. How I am with people around me everywhere is very important to me and I pray that I can always keep a fine balance between my personal life and professional life.

RAP: Who are your heroes...or heroines?
PK: Personally, my parents are my respective hero and heroine. They have given me my culture, my health, my values, my security, everything, much more, still are giving and always will. They have come up from the villages of Rajasthan to where they are today. They’ve seen every stage of life and have walked their children through very gracefully.

Cinematically, I idolize Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. Believe me, somewhere deep inside of me there is this sentiment that in order for my life to be complete, I must once share screen space with him. I feel that I can go as far as humanly possible, but if I don’t get to work with him, my career, my life will be incomplete. I don’t expect to have the same amount of opportunities that Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, or many other senior actors have had to work with him, but even one will forever be cherished.

RAP: Thinking about South Asian and South Asian-American cinema for a minute, what would you like to see change, if anything?
PK: I’d like to see these filmmakers move away from stereotypes. I mean, if we can’t move ourselves out of a closed box, how can we blame American casting directors when they simply see us as a taxi-driver, 7-11 owner or anything non-substantial. I don’t mind being a taxi-driver in a Hollywood film. But the film better be about the taxi driver!

Besides stereotypes, the filmmakers need to make a quality product that has festival, theatrical potential. This means seeking financial or development interest of film companies. It means making a film on 35, 16 or HD, not [low-quality] video. It means casting actors, not relatives. It means making films with believable performances, original and gripping stories, and especially films in which the color of your skin or your last name doesn’t dictate the essence of the role.

RAP: Since this interview series is called “The Soul Sessions,” can you talk about what “soul” means to you? It can be a soul, the soul, or the concept of soul in general...
PK: Right off the top, I can certainly say that without the soul, a human being is lifeless. I guess I can describe it as the central organ of our body that keeps account of not only our physicality, but our karma, deeds, thoughts, feelings, emotions -- our complete existence. To us it is invisible, but to it we are too visible.

RAP: What do you love?
PK: So many things! The concept of love itself and how it gives us a reason and desire to live.

RAP: In one sentence, name one thing about yourself that is true.
PK: Prashant Kumar is a very passionate human being.

Images courtesy Prashant Kumar

Published July 22, 2006