Sparsh Shrivastava On Making His Mark With Both Movies And Music
The Laapataa Ladies actor gets candid on his new single, Ji Hazoor, his acting journey and balancing his two passions
Versatile is how Sparsh Shrivastava describes himself as an artist.
The actor who won hearts for his turn as the groom whose bride goes missing in Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies is now set to embark on a new career. Srivastava has a new single out, Ji Hazoor, and he’s headed for a multi-city tour to promote it.
The 25-year-old actor talks to us about hitting the high notes both as a singer and an actor, his journey from Jamtara – Sabka Number Ayega to Laapataa Ladies and what is he planning on next.
How and when did your musical journey begin?
It began when I first arrived in Mumbai in 2017, seeking a career in films. Being an actor is chaotic – auditions and rejections can take a toll. It was in that phase that music came to be as a sort of a stress buster for me. Writing songs felt like catharsis. I then started working with a studio which composed music for reality shows. In the last five years, I have written several songs and developed my expression. I now feel confident about my skills, and Ji Hazoor is the first of my many tracks.
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You found success as an actor early in life. Was it hard to make it in the industry as an outsider?
I have enjoyed the journey I have had, and the struggle never felt like one. I came to Mumbai at a very young age, barely out of my teens. I had the privilege of observing and experiencing the industry up close and personal. I don’t think any Godfather or an illustrious family background can ever give you the grounding that practical experience does.
Is it true that it was Aamir Khan who called you to be part of Laapataa Ladies, and you thought you were being scammed?
He sent me a message on WhatsApp saying he loved my work in Jamtara and wanted to discuss a new project with me. I thought my friends were playing a prank on me until he came on the video call, and I realised it was THE Aamir Khan. I had always thought if I ever met a big star, I wouldn’t get star-struck or tongue-tied. Yet, I was shivering and fumbling.
How has life changed post Laapataa Ladies?
Before the film, I had done Jamtara, which was appreciated by all. But the love and acceptance an actor seeks from the audience, where people want to know your name and applaud you, that of course came with Laapataa Ladies. It gave me the recognition I was craving.
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We’ve heard your acting process includes writing songs around your characters.
Yes, for every project, I take my character, as well as what the show is all about, and work on a song around the same. The piece is usually around 4 minutes, and helps me delve into the depths of the plot and unravel the many layers of the character, and the situation they are in. This makes it more personal for me.
Going forward, how do you plan to strike a balance between music and acting?
I love both equally and can’t choose between the two. Acting is my wife, and music is what you may call my external affair.