Response to my character Krane, the bounty hunter in Kalki 2898 AD has been very positive. - Humhu
– By Farhad Dalal
Humhu’s journey embodies a unique fusion of discipline and innate talent, shaped significantly by his upbringing in various parts of India due to his army background. Originally hailing from Bihar, he now resides in Bombay.
A versatile artist, Humhu’s expertise spans multiple creative disciplines, notably in theatre and screen performances. Since relocating to Bombay in 2011, he has flourished as both a photographer and actor.
It has been almost a week since Kalki 2898 AD has released. How has the response been to the film and your character Krane(The Bounty Hunter)?
The response has been magnificent to say the least. The film is said to have revived the Indian box office and bring crowds back to the theatres in overwhelming numbers. Response to my character Krane the bounty hunter has also been very positive. I’m being spotted on the streets by strangers, people are coming up to me randomly and appreciating my work, I have never experienced anything like this, it all seems surreal.
What was your process of auditioning for your character and how did you prepare for it?
The process was pretty swift and simple, i was given a script with a villainous character to prepare. From Gabbar in Bollywood to the Joker in Hollywood, ‘the antagonist’ is something that has always intrigued me. The villain offers the much needed contrast against which one understands and appreciates the protagonist. It was with this understanding I approached the audition and I remember getting the confirmation call within hardly an hour of me sending the audition tape.
What was the environment on the sets of the film and how was it like working with veteran director Nag Ashwin?
The environment on the sets was very inspriring and uplifting. On an average day there were atleast a few hundred people actively working to realise the smallest of scenes. The action team, the art department, the vfx team, mua and costumes team, the production team, the extras to name a few. I often felt nervous and unconfident because of the burden of getting it right in such a high pressure scenario but I derived my confidence and self belief from my director Nag Ashwin who always maintained a calmness and a saintly quality amidst all the noise. The way he spoke to me made me feel like he trusted me 100% to go out there and kill it with my performance. I would say to myself – if he believes in me so much perhaps I should too haha. I feel very fortunate to have worked with someone like him.
How has your journey been as an actor leading up to Kalki 2898 AD?
My journey as an actor leading up to KALKI 2898 AD has been beautiful, I have gone from doubting myself to believing in myself. Being a part of such a major franchise alongside legendary artists like Amitabh Bachhan, Prabhas, Kamala Hasan, Deepika Padukone and others has lent a lot of legitimacy to my career.
How important is the role of social media in your life, given the pressures of it in showbiz.
Social media is of great importance because it gives an artist autonomy over curating their public image. It gets a lot of flak for being addictive and negatively affecting one’s mental health but in my opinion it really comes down to an individual – you can use it to your advantage or your detriment – you’ve got to be conscious.
What does the year 2024 have in store for you and your wellwishers?
2024 has wonderful things in store for me. I’m actively working on an ongoing theatrical production called ‘Boys will be Toys’ and we plan to stage it in different cities across the country. I have also started work on an exciting new film project which is perhaps too early to speak about.
