
If you like watching one man show, you must have probably watched Lights Camera Arjun on The Comic Wallah (Youtube Channel). And Arjun Fauzdar is no new name for you.
Playing 6 characters in the web series is a task. But this ‘self-confessed observer’ brushes it off, saying it is his job. Arjun Fauzdar reveals more in a chat with The Digital Hash.
How did Lights Camera Arjun come to you?
In 2014, I won NDTV Prime reality show Ticket to Bollywood. The show was headed by Vishal Mull. Recently, he along with Prateik Mehta, have started Fabform, which is a digital entertainment platform and Vishal contacted me to check if I was keen on doing a show for Fabform’s The Comic Wallah.
Is a challenge or a bonus to play different characters in the series? How do you make sure every character you play has its own characteristics?
We shoot four episodes in a day and it is a challenge. I have to play a minimum of three characters in each these episodes. Imagine remembering the characteristics, the lines, response rate! But it all comes down to concentration.
My observation skills help in every character I play. I can take references from films, series that I have watched in the past.
Which are your favorite comedians? Do you watch stand-up comedy online?
It has to be Jim Carrey. I also love Abish Mathews. He is also a good friend. We worked together in a film Couching Tiger Mannu, directed by Akshay Choubey in 2012, but it got shelved.
Jimmy Fallon, Ellen De Generes, Russell Peters, and Sunil Grover are also my favorites. I watch a lot of old Jim Carrey videos.
How different is online comedy than film comedy?
I have done theatre for nearly 12-13 years now. I have done about 2,000 stage shows and I am like a ripe apple (giggles).In a theatre you make more loud acting choices so that even the last-bencher can understand you. But the camera, web or film, catches the small detail.
As an actor, what are the advantages/disadvantages of doing a web series?
The biggest advantage is that the freedom to put across your talent for the world to see and self-promote yourself. The only disadvantage, if any, is that you will get the criticism as quickly as the appreciation.
Are you keen on doing a drama web series?
Absolutely. As a person I may prefer comedy, but as an actor it is my job to do different things.
For the already crowded film and TV sectors, is the digital medium a boon?
Yes. It is opening a channel and lessening the load from TV and films.
Catch Arjun Fauzdar on Fridays at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyoG8huhp913IXAWtAiJLmw