If TVF Aspirants made you wish for all good things to come Sandeep bhaiya’s way, Milind’s death in The Family Man season 3 broke the audience’s hearts. Sunny Hinduja, who played both these characters, is grateful for the adulation coming his way. The actor, who has been a part of the acting industry for the past 12 years and has done some interesting work in projects such as Ballad of Rustom, Pinky Memsaab, Home and Bhaukaal among others, says his criteria for success has always been a peaceful mind and a good night’s sleep. “So, I think I have been successful even before these shows came my way,” he smiles. He does however add that the impact his characters are leaving reassures him that the path he took was the right one. “More than anything else, I focussed on the craft. That was my mantra from the start,” he says. The actor shares his journey with TMM…

Tell us how the acting bug bit you?
I was enamoured by films in my younger days. In my childhood, I used to think that it is because of the fame attached to them, but in due course of time, I realised it was the experience of sitting in the theatre and getting mesmerized by what’s happening on the screen. It was about being transported with the actors into their journey.

You trained at the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). Why did you feel the need to train as an actor?
I knew that if I want to make a career out of acting, I can’t land up in this vast pool of actors. One needs to have an understanding of the craft to get into it. You have to give time to understand the world you are getting into. Getting into acting is not even the start of it. Even after that, it took me at least ten years to understand a few things because acting is such a vast field. You can keep learning till infinity. I want to keep learning and take a deep dive into acting.

You have been a part of interesting projects before Aspirants happened, but does Aspirants feel like a turning point?
Definitely, it started a little bit with The Family Man season one. I had a smaller part but an interesting one. Sandeep bhaiya from Aspirants was a motivational character. Everyone could relate to him. The show may have been about aspiring UPSC candidates but in life, people do aspire to be something or the other. I have had a similar journey as an actor and I used it fully in my portrayal of this character. I put all my angst, my desires to reach somewhere in this character. Also, I love TVF. We had a great time on the shoot. The credit goes to the director and my co-actors and to the TVF team – the way they have written and executed it.

How was it to be a part of a show like The Family Man and to work with Raj and DK?
I think Raj and DK’s speciality is that they are really quirky. They back themselves with good writing so it’s very difficult to go wrong with it. They never tell you what to do. They tell you what not to do. They are so confident of their writing and they keep evolving their script each day. The foundation of our industry is writing and they focus on it.

Your death scene in the show is so impactful and it becomes even more because of the way Shrikant Tiwari (Manoj Bajpayee) reacts to it. How do you feel about your character’s death in The Family Man?
I think it was done so beautifully and the makers have really celebrated my death. It is rare that a character is given so much importance even after dying. Manoj sir used to keep joking ‘kitne marne ke scene hain iske?’ I would like to give credit to him. If people are feeling that the death was so impactful, then I think a great contribution goes to him. Of course, to Raj and DK as well for the way they have written and created it.

Actors such as you, Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma have been working for so many years but getting the deserved adulation and good work now. Do you feel like declaring ‘apna time aa gaya’?
Jaideep and Vijay are my batchmates from FTII. I have learnt from all of them. We learn from each other, that’s how the journey has been. Also, I would rather say ‘apna time nahi jayega!’ (laughs). There’s the line from 3 Idiots about not running after success but becoming such a good engineer that success follows you. That’s my thinking.

What’s next for you?
I will be seen next in Inside Edge 3. It’s an interesting part. There are some more projects I am in talks with which will be announced soon.