“I Stopped Carrying My Mobile Phone to Shoots After Working With Amitabh Bachchan…”: Raashul Tandon

Raashul Tandon, popularly known for his roles in Heropanti, Pink and Aladdin, shared insights into his acting career in an exclusive interview with Spotlite Now. He answered our call with a warm greeting and was full of energy for the interview session.

First Step Into The World of Acting

Raashul’s parents were supportive of his passion. Once he graduated, they allowed him to move out to Mumbai to explore his passion towards acting. There, he joined Anupam Kher's Actor Prepares. 

Post completion of the course, the whole group presented a play. Raashul took over the stage as Vasant, a rebellious hosteller. “This was the turning point of my life because I caught the eyes of Abhimanyu Ray, the casting director of Yash Raj Films back in 2009, who was sitting amongst the audience.” 

He was casted for Seven, a TV serial by YRF, which marked his debut in the television world. 

Raashul Tandon about his father

He is deeply rooted in his family (a common trait of any Punjaban), born and brought up in Lucknow. While discussing his initial projects, Raashul has told us about a valuable piece of advice his father once gave him, “He asked me to enjoy my early days in this field because later, work would become more income-oriented. So, he told me to enjoy the process and stay dedicated.” Raashul’s dad, a retired banker, is someone he describes as his role model.

People’s Negative Perception About The Industry

We wanted to know if outsiders are accepted in the industry with open arms, to which he replies, “I still remember waking up to Jaggu Dada’s (Jackie Shroff) call on the day Heropanti released. He called to praise my performance in the movie. It felt surreal when he started appreciating me, saying, ‘Tumhara kaam pasand aaya. Bohot accha laga, bhidu!’ I couldn’t believe my ears.” 

Every coin has two sides, and so does the industry. According to Raashul, the industry isn’t as bad as people assume it to be. “If someone has true talent and is hard working enough, they’re bound to be accepted. I did a commercial for Fiat Punto, and although the pay was quite low initially, the production team later raised it because they were intrigued by my performance and skills. I cried tears of joy that day—ki chalo logon ko mera kaam pasand aaya,” he recalls, narrating one of the most ‘unexpected yet happy’ moments from the early years of his career. 

“I realised the seriousness of my work…”

Raashul Tandon broke away from his usual charm to slip into the skin of a negative character, Dumpy, in Pink, leaving audiences baffled by his dark portrayal. The film made him realise the seriousness of being an actor and how such movies can be powerful tools for spreading awareness in society.

“I stopped carrying my mobile phone to shoots after working with Amitabh Bachchan because I learnt the true meaning of commitment towards work from him. I used to think that a legendary actor like him wouldn’t need to rehearse, but to my surprise, Mr. Bachchan takes ample time to rehearse and that’s the beauty of his perfection,” he narrates with a respectful tone while speaking about his experience of working with Big B.

Ginu: The Cute, Human-like Genie of Aladdin

He worked alongside Siddharth Nigam and Avneet Kaur in Aladdin - Naam Toh Suna Hoga, portraying Aladdin’s loyal friend, Ginu, the genie of the lamp. It was one of the most unique experiences of his career, and he describes it as “physically challenging.” Bringing this character to life demanded immense effort and dedication on his part.

“Ginu, the genie, was meant to float around, so to create that effect on screen, I had to move around on a hoverboard,” he shares with nostalgia in his voice. “It was quite challenging and exhausting. There were moments when I even fell during scenes. After shoot days, I’d be so drained that all I wanted was to crash straight onto the bed.” Through this role, Raashul won both fame and the affection of a younger audience.

Different Shades of Raashul Tandon: Admirer, Lover and More! 

Raashul is someone who loves watching movies and is a die-hard admirer of other actors. During our conversation, we asked him about a recent film that struck a chord in his heart. “I just watched Aap Jaisa Koi last night, and I found R. Madhavan to be extremely commendable. He has taught our generation the meaning of love through his films like Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, and he’s still carrying that aura with such sensibility.” 

In 2018, Raashul tied the knot with the love of his life, Manisha Mehrotra. Their story began in the most unexpected yet heartwarming way, Manisha was a friend of his cousin, and that simple connection led to a beautiful arranged marriage. Sharing more about his partner, Raashul opens up, “We’re both Punjabis, so we instantly clicked. Even though it was an arranged marriage, our love blossomed naturally. I had always wanted someone outside the industry who could make me feel the warmth of a home, not just the comfort of a house.”

Raashul has just wrapped up a shoot before this interview and mentions that he is looking forward to a well-deserved day of relaxation at home. One of his favourite ways to unwind? Audiobooks. He finds them both enriching and incredibly convenient. “I simply listen to an audiobook during the ride back home from work,” he shares. “That’s my way of killing time and gaining some knowledge at the same time.” 

Once he’s back home, his attention shifts solely to his wife and their little fur babies. “In a metropolitan city like Mumbai, where everyone is caught up in the relentless race of life, time is something no one truly has.” That’s why he turns into a compassionate family man the moment he steps into his humble abode, leaving his contrasting characters behind on the set.