I had forgotten I acted in ‘Slumdog…’: Anjum Sharma

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NEW DELHI - After playing a miniscule role in “Slumdog Millionaire”, Anjum Sharma is set to make a mark with “Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai”. He admits Danny Boyle’s multi-oscar winning film gave him visibility but says the role was so small that he even forgot about it.

“I got a call from Loveleen Sharma for the small role. I agreed to do it as a friend. But frankly speaking, I had forgotten about it and later came to know that the film is being widely appreciated,” Anjum told IANS on phone from Mumbai.

Anjum, who played a call centre operator in the film, insists he had auditioned for the main role of Jamal Malik.

“I had actually auditioned for the main role in the film but later came to know that everything has been re-scripted and Dev Patel was doing the role,” he says.

But the actor admits the film has indeed made him approachable.

“I wouldn’t say that ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ was a benchmark film. I was there for just one scene, but yes it has indeed made me more approachable,” said the actor.

Anjum will now be seen in forthcoming underworld drama “Once Upon…” that has Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut and Prachi Desai in the lead roles.

The film follows the rise and eventual fall of Sultan (Ajay Devgn) when his protege Shoaib (Emraan Hashmi) challenges his supremacy and usurps power to rule the murky underbelly of Mumbai. The film is due for a July 30 release.

“My character’s name is Khichadi and I play the confidant of Shoaib. I wouldn’t say that I have a very crucial or a very important role in the film. I appear at regular intervals and the way it has been shot, you would certainly not miss it,” said Anjum.

“For someone like me, who is new to the industry, working with such a star cast and a director like Milan Lutharia is a big thing in itself. It’s very rare that a fresher gets to work in a project like this.

“I had a really good time shooting and also learnt a lot as an actor. I am quite happy with my stint in the film,” he added.

Anjum is also excited about the look he’s sporting in the film.

“Since the film is set in the era of 1970s, all the characters sport a retro-look. I have a complete salt and pepper look with long hair and beard. You would see me wearing knotted shirts and bell bottoms. Even the dialogues are written in a typical filmi language of that era. I would say my look is the USP of my role,” he said.

When asked about his expectations from the film, Anjum said: “I hope it helps me move ahead in my career. But I really don’t think much about it as I have just started and I have nothing to lose. I would definitely say that it is indeed better than what I have done so far and wish to do even better than this in the future.”

Apart from “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Once Upon…”, Anjum has acted in Yash Raj’s television show “Rishta.com” and has also been actively involved in theatre.