‘All izz well.’ That is indeed the one statement that Sharman Joshi can make with supreme assurance at the moment. For, in a short span of four months, the unassuming actor has seen the release of two of his films – the serio-comic student socio-drama 3 Idiots and the groom-hunting circus of a rom-com Toh Baat Pakki that released last month. To add to his joy, he is looking forward to the release of a third, Allah Ke Bande – in a different genre – later this year.

Catch him on a breezy afternoon, in between the breathless rush of events that nowadays dot any film’s appearance and the actor is cresting the wave that has taken over these weeks of his life. He is willing to indulge in a leisured conversation, although he is known to be one to normally shrug off any kind of unwanted attention. Even when seen at art events – or on stage in music programmes for the mandatory film promotions – Sharman does not seek to unnecessarily grab the spotlight. Recently, one saw him, jacketed and all, his spectacles scarcely covering the smile in his eyes, going through the motions. The actor laughs out loud at the comment, saying, “It feels great having releases. But, it is not in an actor’s hand to stagger one’s work or club it together. One acts in a film and one’s work is done when the shooting is over. Over the years I have given my films my all because I expect a lot from myself. Then one trusts the producers and believes that they are doing what is best for the film. I step out when the film is up for release and I do my bit to promote it and myself. But I find it trying to talk about myself and the work I do. I know a lot of people who feel the same way.”

Sharman’s fans will remember that he is often seen in the comic mode... in roles that have a hint of mischief that underline the fact that he is to the funny bone born. Yet, he denies his propensity to laugh riots like Golmaal Returns stating philosophically, “After Godmother it was a break for quite some time for me. Then Style happened and was followed by a series of comedies. It was just the demand of the character, but with movies like Life in a Metro and Hello, I have displayed another facet of my acting to the audience. At the moment, I am very happy with my position in the industry. The choice of the film is not dictated by what I want to do. It is dictated by what I am offered and what excites me in the script, or about the role. It is completely a different matter then that the character belongs to a particular genre. The luxury of making a choice is not with me. I do it if it is a good film. I do not go into calculations about what genre it belongs to. I would have to say that everything has happened by chance.”

Circumstances have dictated that Sharman has been a part of many multi-starrer films, mostly with big stars like Golmaal, Rang De Basanti and Life in a Metro. When asked about the butterflies that must have gripped his genius when sharing screen space with established stalwarts, Sharman had earlier said, “All the characters were well etched out. I have no issues doing multi-starrers. It does impact you to a certain extent because these are actors you admire and love. You have seen them in movie halls many times and when you get a chance to share screen space with them and be on the same sets with them, it throws you off a bit. But once you realise that it’s your job, and it is your dream to be an actor, you start performing with the best of your abilities, not really worrying about who you are working with.”

So, when 3 Idiots released to a Behemothian response, he – like the others in the film – was naturally excited and happy. He recalls, “We were hooked when we read the script. But the kind of affection 3 Idiots drew was overwhelming. We did not expect the kind of love that the film has evoked. One expected it to be grand, but not of this cult level. Raj Kumar Hirani and Aamir Khan coming together was bound to work magic – these men take their work beyond a certain level every time.”

Raising the bar, the former theatre actor is capable of holding his own on screen and has come up with bravura performances both in Rang De Basanti and 3 Idiots when sharing billing with a seasoned star-performer like Aamir Khan. Yet, one gets the feeling that his contributions have been given a subtle ignore. Sharman would have us believe otherwise for he avers, “I am getting my due as an actor and the fact that I am in the industry’s biggest grosser is proof of the fact. I am aware that expectations have gone up after 3 Idiots. I have given my films my all. I have worked to the best of the ability. Right now I am pretty happy with myself. I am in a karmic frame of mind. I am only fighting with myself to up the quotient every time.”

No wonder then that director Raju Hirani says of one of his ‘3 Idiots’, “Sharman is a like Hollywood star because he underplays his roles. He is a complete natural. He is not the type to go out there and be in your face. He makes it all seem very real and that is his strength. As a person, he is very quiet, doesn’t actually take up many roles. He is soft-spoken and an easy guy to work with. He chooses to do a few films and is very careful about what he picks.”

For the Mumbai management student who graduated in commerce from NM College and studied earlier at Maneckji Cooper School, acting was always the first option – and naturally so for he is the offspring of veteran theatre actor Arvind Joshi. (His elder sister Manasi is married to actor Rohit Roy). As the youngest in his family, while growing up Sharman revelled in all the culture discussions that filled their family space. “I was the baby of the family. Though I was naughty and in a way notorious, my parents say I was the obedient child and easy to raise. Manasi was the more difficult one. At school I was above average at studies, was the house captain, played cricket and volleyball and was hardly ever at home. I was completely the outdoors sort. My father influenced me the most,” he remembers. “He has let me be the person I am. He encouraged me to do what I wanted to. Even though I was the youngest, my opinion was always asked and taken into account – and that helped my growth.”

Prod him about his early tryst with all things theatrical, “I was testing the waters. Even though my heart and mind had always been in acting, I wanted to be sure about what I was getting into. One of the early plays I remember doing was in college on Independence Day. I did not have a leading role but was part of a group.” Right now the magic of the marquee is keeping him busy. “I don’t really miss theatre at the moment,” he admits. “I don’t feel the urge to get back to the stage. I intend to eventually, even though it is unlikely that I will ever get bored with films.”

Today, the by-his-own-confession playful child has grown up and is father to three kids. He and his wife Prerna have a four-year-old girl, Khyana, and twin baby boys, Rehan and Varryan, who will complete a year in July. Considering he could pass off easily as a student himself, this comes as a pleasant surprise. Sharman chortles, “I am 36 years old. My cute looks make me appear much younger. In the early stages of my career I was considered too young for the many parts that would have been offered to me and I lost out on those. But my looks are a boon to me now!”

Interestingly, the actor-son is the proud son-in-law of another actor, Prem Chopra. Although he does not like to talk about it much, he says his courtship was the highlight of his youth: “It was the most exciting time of my life. It was very complicated, filmi and dramatic. The period of courtship lasted for eight years. My parents were very happy, hers needed some convincing. It took me five years to convince Prerna’s parents and then I wanted three years for myself before I took the plunge. At that time, I was finding my space as an actor. It is a dicey line of work. But, once they realised that our relationship was for keeps, they accepted me and showered love on me. Now, that I am the father of a girl, I understand their point of view better. If Khyana did anything like that I would probably lock her up in a room!”

Life in a sense has come full circle, for Sharman reiterates, “All is well. I am completely at peace with myself. I don’t feel the pressure of being a parent. I know that whatever Khyanashe learns and understands at school, Prerna and I will keep the balance at home. We are being careful about the way we lead our lives in front of her.”

The turning point for the star of many films perhaps came with Rang De Basanti, Rakeysh Mehra’s flick, that like Raj Kumar Hirani’s, had turned into the nation’s mantra. In Aamir’s company – and that time with Madhavan (too) and Siddharth – Sharman had been the flavour of the year. Not undermining its importance on his curriculum vitae, Sharman believes, “That could have been my turning point in the popular imagination. But for me each and every film has been a turning point. Every project has gone into making what I am in a positive way. In fact, I have learnt more from the films that did not do well.”

His learning lessons, by his own admission, began with his first movie with Shabana Azmi, Godmother. She had gone out of her way to explain to him, ‘In theatre, you can get the flow and feel of the character. Cinema is all about that one line and getting the right degree of emotion at that point of time’.”

Over the years, he has carefully learned how to get that right. For, even though he comes from a family of performers, and each would offer their own opinion on each of his acts, Sharman is, in his own words, “my biggest critic. Everybody in my family tells me what they feel about my performance. But I don’t allow their opinions to put pressure on me. Yet at the same time, I am always eager to find out what they feel about my performance in a particular movie. I am quite ruthless with myself. I don’t mince words. I don’t pull my punches. It is all about me and myself!”

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