His smile is something that immediately makes him the most likeable boy in tinsel town. He captured the hearts of the women folks and also the men (no pun

intended) with his impeccable and down-to-earth VJ-ing and acting skills. He is none other than Purab Kohli, one of the most prominent faces on TV and now in

films too. If his well-etched role in Onir’s My Brother Nikhil got him accolades by a ton, then, wait for a whirlpool of compliments in the recently

released film Rock On. Bollywood Hungama caught up with the man who is now being referred as ‘Killer Drummer’, thanks to his character in Rock

On. Over to you Purab!

To start with, are you even aware that girls have forgotten as when they smiled the last time considering the fact that you had vanished away from the

scene? Why the long hiatus? What was keeping you busy and occupied?
Ha ha haâ?¦I am sure that people have many reasons to smile beyond me, though I’m glad that I can manage a few. I quit Channel (V) last year, so I have been

off air for a while. I have been focusing on the film work that’s coming my way. And topping the list is Rock On, a film that has become the toast of the

nation! I couldn’t have asked for more!

I quit Channel (V) last year, so I have been off air for a while

What was the basic reason that made you sign Rock On?
I heard that Abhishek Kapoor (Gattu) was casting for Rock On. Hence, I called him for an audition. He, then, auditioned me and then, called me two

days later and re-auditioned. I guess that he was not too sure the first time around. To be very honest, I instantly fell in love with the film’s storyline,

its music and of course my character! Let me also confess that the actor in me could not refuse such a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ kind of role! As far me being a

‘Rock Star’ at heart is concerned, I think that the term ‘Rock Star’ is used more to derive an attitude as compared to its literal meaning. In that sense, I

think all of us are Rock Stars and that we also do have our ‘Rock Star’ moments!

I think all of us are Rock Stars and we also have our ‘Rock Star’ moments

The concept of promoting the film through the medium of organizing rock concerts was really cool. It also must have set your adrenaline levels very high?

Yeah Man! Being on stage in front of a huge audience is quite an exhilarating experience in itself. When we were shooting the concert sequences in the film,

it was so true to life. And in order to avoid any cuts, we started shooting as early as 5am! We shot the songs totally from start to finish and every time it

played, not just the crowd but also we (the crew and actors) used to forget that we are at ‘work’! We used to enjoy every show as a real-life concert in

itself and trust meâ?¦ that clearly shows in the film! The concerts were surely the high points and it definitely set our adrenaline to an all-time high!

Rock On’s promotional concerts were surely set our adrenaline to an all-time high!

Do you feel that in a country like India where the rock scene is still in its nascent stage, a movie like Rock On will act as the much-needed agent

of change?
I hope it does. It’s more than just the mere obvious fact that Bollywood has not just a big, but a hugely massive influence in our country and its people!

And with Rock On, I do hope and feel that this should kick-start a new something in terms of everything pertaining to music, especially Rock.

The look of all the characters in the film is really something to talk about! What all went in the preparation of your look and the character? You also

sport a beard. There was a ‘look test’ before we started shooting. An excellent team of extremely hard working people were put together by Excel

Entertainment. The ‘beard’ was something that Abhishek had come up with and the moment we saw it, we were simply game for it! It used to take 20 minutes and

a whole of 3 people to get it on and plant it. But, at the end of the day, it really looks like the end result was really worth the time and effort!

You are one helluva’ guy who has been equally successful in TV and films. How do you differentiate one medium from the other?
Working in both the mediums have more or less been the same. On TV, one sees you in the frame of 32 inches, whereas in films the same person gets to see you

in 70mm! (laughs).

The person who sees me in 32 inches on TV gets to see in 70mm in cinema!

Now that you have quit Channel (V), does it get translated to you bidding adieu to TV forever?
Everyone knows the fact that whatever I am today; I totally owe it to TV. But, with due respects to this fabulous medium, I would also like to tell that it

will be a ‘No’ to TV for a while, since, I now want to focus on some film work. Here, I remember Luke Kenny’s famous words “Ek frame ka farak hai! ”

I remember Luke’s famous words “Ek frame ka farak hai!”

You have always attributed the success of your films and your roles (read ‘characters’) to your directorsâ?¦
Well, as actors, we look for acceptance and the first one that I need is from my Director. Also, an actor can only build himself on a base that’s provided to

him in the form of a character by the writer or the director. I try and be as malleable as possible and wait to get moulded.

How was it working with Farhan Akhtar, Luke Kenny, Prachi Desai, and Shahana Goswami as your co-stars?
I think that the casting of the film is one of the best things about the film. And I am sure that many would simply agree on this. All of us formed such an

interesting group in unison! All of us hail from completely different spaces and the whole film was like different people being put together and made to

perform. So being on the sets was quite something in itself. And as co-stars, the whole cast and crew of Rock On were, are and will ever remain true

Rock Stars!

The whole cast and crew of Rock On are true Rock Stars!

How identifiable is your character of Rock On with that of your real life?
Every character that I play has a little of the real-life me and every character leaves a little in me. So, depending on what I enjoy of the character, I

unknowingly pick it up!

Do you carry yourself in ‘two looks’ the way Farhan does?
Yes, not just Farhan and me, all of us carry 2 looks. The reason being that the film spans over 10 years and with the looks, even the character goes through

some changes. It’s the time factor that puts people through change. And you can see that in ‘KD’ (my character) over ten years.

Has your role in Rock On shaped up the exactly the way you wanted it?
The role has shaped up more than what I expected to be like. Frankly speaking, I didn’t expect the character of KD to come out so much. The viewers would

really love him when they see the film. I always like to view myself (on the big screen) as a layman and my character as one of the characters in the film,

and not me playing it.

Was there any reference point for your character in Rock On?
I did watch a few drummers performing but I didn’t really base KD on anyone.

If you were to describe KD in one word, what will that be?
I really cannot describe KD in one word. Still, if I had to describe him, then, I would say that he is someone who was happy before 10 years, and someone who

is finding happiness ten years ahead.

Can you recall any of the memorable moments during the shoot of the film?
It has to be the scene that we had shot in Karjat. The scene required all of us to jump in to the lake. It was such a lovely feeling, just lovely. We just

kept jumping in the water all day long, feeling like a 15 year old kid all over again!

The music of Rock On has taken to the masses like a fish to water. So, which song do you repeatedly play on your I-pod?
I keep changing my favourite every week. But, overall, I think, its ‘Sinbad The Sailor’ that does it for me.

Talking about the film’s music, one does notice that its music is definitely something that is very unlike any typical Bollywood film. What’s your take on

the evolvement of the film’s music?
Bollywood has surely witnessed a rock influence in the past, but I think it’s been in Pakistani- Sufi space. In that way, I would surely say that Rock

On is the first album with a western influence. The trio of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is just fantastic and mind blowing to say the least.

Farhan and Prachi have sung songs in the film. What about you?
Well, if you see the film, you’ll surely realize that I’ve sung too.

If you see the film, you’ll surely realize that I’ve sung too.

A news article recently reported that your Rock On’s co-star Koel Poorie pinched your butts. Is it true?
Slapped was more like it! (laughs)

How was it working with Luke Kenny? Since both of you trace your roots to Channel (V) and a film too, it surely must have been nostalgia time â?¦
I’ve not known Luke merely as a VJ. For me, he’s always been the brains behind Channel (V)’s programming. He had even directed me in a film 3-4 yrs ago

(13th Floor). Overall, it was really wonderful to have him on the film as a co-star.

Don’t you feel that for girls, it’s the Miss India pageants while for the guys it’s VJ-ing that forms as easiest way to get into Bollywood, (with the

latest one being Neil Bhoopalan). What say?
I don’t think you can really put it down that way. Mahima (Chaudhary) used to be a VJ, and then, John happens to be a Gladrags winner! So it’s really

contradicting the question itself. The fact remains that many of us try and cross over. And one just can’t really put a tag to it.

Which are the real-life rock bands that you look up to?
Well, I am not really aiming to be a musician. So, I don’t look up to any band or musicians. But, I do enjoy music and some of my favourite bands are U2,

Radiohead and Indian Ocean. I’ve also been enjoying Shair and Funk! I was introduced to them and Radiohead through the making Rock On and you can even

see them performing in the final concert.

What are your forthcoming projects?
I have a really good film called Rectangular Love Story coming up, that’s directed by the very talented Rajat Kapoor. As for the rest, I will ‘unveil’

as and when the time is right! Till then, Live Your Dream and yesâ?¦Rock On!

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