I have had over a dozen trips to Lucknow - for work or personal visits.
— Vikrant Massey
I don't consider Mumbai-Delhi as India. The grass-rooted diversity of U.P.-Bihar is the real India.
It's been a very long journey, and people have been immensely kind. They're not tired of watching me on television for a decade; they want to see more of me.
I just want people to respect me as an actor. Now, whether that makes me a star or not doesn't really matter.
When I realised that TV would be my playground, I decided to be content with what I had. I gave it my all.
I am proud to have played so many non-urban characters because I feel the heart of real India beats in the non-urban areas.
I want to remove the curtain of pretence from all of my characters.
I love playing the common man.
Unfortunately, my dancing skills never came to the fore, as I got involved in acting on television, where an actor doesn't get too many opportunities to dance.
There is no denying that TV pays really well.
I was out with my friends when a casting agent came up and asked me if I was interested in acting.
I'll be honest and say that looks are important for me. But ultimately, it all boils down to how much a girl loves.
I don't hover over the thought of only playing a protagonist.
When people watch my movies and web series, I want them to either see themselves in those characters or something they can relate to.
Anything that's good and has a certain amount of quality, slowly but surely, it will be accepted.
One thing is for sure: that women are far more compassionate, empathetic, sensitive, and emotional in comparison to men.
'Lootera' happened nearly 10 years after television. It was the first film I auditioned for.
I have a complaint with regressive shows. The kind of stories I want to be a part of are not happening. I can't underutilise myself.
I'm really grateful to God for whatever I have.
Every project I got, whether I was playing a friend or doing television, I just wanted to prove myself: every single take, cue, and rehearsal is an audition. That's my approach.
People ask me if I am going to leave TV, but my answer is a big 'no.'
There is unlimited scope for a film to expand and grow on the Internet.
I've hardly ever played urban characters.
As an actor, it's important to feel for the character, as you will be watched by audience, and when you start feeling your character, you share a sense of happiness and achievement.
Every character has its priorities, its path, its trajectory. So you prepare differently for each.
I was associated with Shaimak Davar for three and a half years and learnt a lot from him.
Television has an unparalleled reach.
Growing up with Koli boys is a different experience. It teaches you survival.
I don't see midgets as abnormal people.
I don't like repeating things and look out for work that could challenge me.
I think what I look for in a script, it's the relatability quotient that matters the most.
I always believed in curating content, and the only way to do in our country is by turning producer. So then, I thought, lets turn producer and see how it goes.
From my experience, I can affirm that I don't really know how the women see the world like, but it seems to be quite different from how men do.
I have seen ups and downs. When my chips are down, I remind myself of the time when Aamir Khan spoke to me over the phone and praised my work in 'Dil Dhadakne Do.' What big a validation that is, someone of Aamir Khan's stature to be initiating a call with someone like me. It's a confidence boost!
People loving my performances give me a kick.
I'm not a trained actor. I have neither read acting books nor gone to acting school. But I have certain fundamentals on how I approach a character; the basic skeleton of my preparation is based on observations from real life.
I will continue to do TV so long as I get to prove my acting prowess.
People have started consuming very privatised content. Initially, it used to be community viewing at the cinema, where you look forward to ice cream in the interval and then on to your dressing and dining rooms. Today, it's gotten so privatised that you're watching things on your mobile phone. That is a massive amount of change.
The MeToo movement has made everyone more professional. The trashy aspects of filmmaking are now eliminated. There is certainly fear and caution among those men who think they can get away with any behaviour. At the same time, we have to be careful about not overdoing the enthusiasm of the MeToo movement.
Those who talk to themselves are the truest actors.
We generally pretend to be something to survive in a society. So the characters I play, I want them to be wholesome characters. They are not necessarily the most wise people, but they do have a heart and soul.
In 2008, while I was shooting a TV show, a woman came all the way from Odisha to Baroda to meet me. It turned out she was newly married; she said she had run away and wanted to marry me! We had to call the local police, and it turned out her family had filed a missing person's report.
I agree when people say TV is regressive. I would go back to TV only for the money.
I grew up watching English films and listening to The Doors and The Beatles.
Had I not been in a relationship, I would have no issues falling in love with a midget. I wouldn't mind as long as she loves me and takes care of me and my family.
If you do a brilliant work and if the audience don't like it, what's the point.
Traveling is not just a pleasure, but it also gets you to meet so many people, experience new things in life and, in return, expand your horizon so much.
It feels really grateful, thankful, and happy when your work is appreciated.
I would be lying if I would say that I never wanted to be a lead actor. But at the same time, I would say it's a lot of responsibility also; it's too much responsibility.
I never thought the media would be interested in me - this is very surreal.
