Actor Hussain Dalal opens up on acting, writing and insecurity
Hussain Dalal candidly discusses combining his acting and writing careers amid industry skepticism. His experience of working with Vishal Bhardwaj in O’Romeo marks an important milestone in his dual career journey.
For Hussain Dalal, it was natural for him to pursue two careers – acting and writing – simultaneously. However, she is surprised by how the industry often looks at artists with hyphenated careers in a different light. Using the analogy of a mother-in-law (mother-in-law), Dalal shared that she is often questioned about where her true loyalties lie.
had an exclusive conversation with India TodayHussain Dalal said that the industry is divided and people are always ready to pull someone down. “I say it as a joke, but the industry is the same Mother in law (Mother in law). When I started acting, filmmakers started sending me messages and saying that now I won’t write because I’m on screen. And when I focus on my writing, many people think I am not interested in acting. But I’m like, ‘Who told you that?’ Why can’t you accept that I can do both and do it well? I want to do both, but the mother-in-law syndrome will always be there. It’s people’s own insecurities; I can’t do anything about this. But I am actively doing both and want to continue.
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The actor also talked openly about this o’romeohis latest film, and shared how he had messaged director Vishal Bhardwaj to express interest in working with him. The filmmaker immediately directed him for a test and, about a month later, he was on board. “I was surprised, because I had really moved on from that idea, even though it had been so long. But I was so grateful to be on that set and work with Vishal ji and Shahid (Kapoor). Nowadays, everyone is trying to make a film like someone else’s film, and it’s beautiful to be on the set of an original film. It was like a masterclass for me, and I can confidently say that I came out of this film a slightly better actor.”
We further discussed whether it is normal for an actor in the industry to approach a filmmaker for work. Hussain Dalal admitted that this was a first for him both as an actor and writer. He elaborated, “But because I’m such a die-hard fan of Vishal, I couldn’t resist. And also because, in a way, he gave me that opening. I had worked on a project with Ali Fazal, which Vishal ji really liked, and he told us that he wanted to work with us. He had worked with Ali in Intelligence, so I felt like I got in there based on the little license I had. But I never had the courage to call people. – i feel so ashamed (I feel really embarrassed).
What if they think I’m a bad actor or a bad writer? To be honest, I do not carry my ability like a medal. I also think that if they don’t want to work with me, they may feel pressured after I messaged them. This is my nature and I believe that work gets done. But once your work has helped you connect with someone, you can reach out to them. “I feel weird messaging strangers, but that’s okay too – whatever works for you.”
Next number is of Hussain Dalal fake 2 more Trumpet 2 writing projects, while he’ll also star in a Netflix show Talaash.