Mulk actor Ashrut Jain feels like Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey

Working in two back-to-back courtroom dramas "Mulk" and "Batti Gul Meter Chalu" makes young actor Ashrut Jain feel like Matthew McConaughey, who has done legal dramas like "A Time To Kill" and "The Lincoln Lawyer". Ashrut, excited about both the projects, told IANS over phone from Mumbai: "On both the sets, people have praised me for one thing, and that is my versatility. Both the films happen to be courtroom dramas. So, I feel like Mathew McConnaughey at times that I am doing multiple courtroom dramas at the same time."

He is a fan of McConaughey. "I love his versatility. His grip on the DNA of the characters he plays is amazing. And he is a master of courtroom dramas and dialogues. I admire and connect to his performances," said Ashrut, who finds courtroom dramas interesting for a reason.

"You have lines and words with which you have to be very precise because everything is a decision making line in a courtroom drama. I think whatever maturity an actor develops in the course of his or her career, emerges very well in a courtroom drama," he added. A Jabalpur boy, Ashrut has earlier done bit roles in "Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela" and "M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story". He was also in comedy-drama road film "Sunshine Music Tours & Travels".

In "Mulk", which is about a family fighting for its honour in the court of law, Ashrut plays a central part of the family. The film features acting powerhouses like Rishi Kapoor, Rajat Kapoor, Ashutosh Rana, Taapsee Pannu, Manoj Pahwa, Neena Gupta and Indraneil Sengupta. Ashrut admits "there are some really powerful actors in the film".

"It was an honour to work with them as when you work with such brilliant actors, your performance organically enhances because you're learning from everyone. It had a great environment, great direction and great actors," he said, and mentioned that Rishi Kapoor was particularly encouraging when he used to tell him "Oh puttar, kar de" before a shot.

Acting happened by chance to Ashrut, who had come from Jabalpur to Mumbai to pursue his graduation. He ended up getting modelling assignments, which eventually paved the way for him in showbiz. "I wanted to go to UK for further studies but I lost my father and the entire family's responsibility came on me at that point of time, so I had a question in front of me, 'Do I need to leave everything in Mumbai and go back or do I need to manage both things?. So I took care of my mother and my sister, and also continued acting," he narrated.

He landed in Yash Raj Films' casting department, and actress Bhumi Pednekar was once his colleague. He says it prepared him to face the camera. "I did around eight films in the casting department, and learnt a lot because from behind the camera I was able to judge what looks good or bad in front of the camera. But I never left my passion, and that's what I want to tell people from small towns that whatever the challenge you have got, always work hard and keep the hope alive somewhere. Don't give up," he said.

His first role was a small part in "...Ram-Leela", and auditions led him to one project after another. He says length of a role does not matter. "If you're a good actor, even one scene will take you places... So even if you have one scene, you own it and give it your best."

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