New Innings

As the son of cricketing legend Bishan Singh Bedi, Angad Bedi had big shoes to fill. Things didn’t go the way they were expected to though. He should’ve been a sportsman but destiny brought him to the movies. He spent most of his time with Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan and Virat Kohli but he felt the happiest while watching Amitabh Bachchan’s films. His celluloid aspirations weren’t the only thing that made him leave the sporting field. He says, “I was 19 when I was playing cricket professionally. My father is an honest man and has always spoken against corruption in sports. The Delhi Cricket Association is however a corrupt organisation. They didn’t like the fact that my father was righteous. They made sure they didn’t let me play. I got frustrated. I didn’t want to die on the cricket field struggling. I decided to follow my dreams. People tell me that I could’ve played IPL and made a lot of money but I never do anything for money. I’m happy to be in the movies.”


Angad’s parents had never imagined that their son would leave and choose films over cricket. Nevertheless they supported his decision. But there was something, which touched the wrong chord. “I’m a Sardar and I cut my hair. My father was hurt. I was 13 when he had organised a big pagdi ceremony for me. He, in front 5000 people, had announced that his son would not cut his hair and keep the pride of the turban. My decision to go against his word upset him immensely. That’s why I feel a fire within to justify my decision.” And in just a few years he justified it. After doing several TV shows, Angad debuted with the commercially successful F.A.L.T.U and his second film was the recently released Dharma Productions’ Ungli. The film didn’t do well but his character was the most likeable part of the film. He says, “Every actor wants a Dharma stamp on them. I got it with just my second film. Plus working with a talent like Rensil D’Silva was nothing but amazing.”


As they say, you win some and you lose some. Due to the delay in the film’s shooting and release, Angad had to let go off a few things. “Abhiskek Kapoor had confirmed me for Kai Po Che! I even did a 15 days’ workshop. At the same time, I was offered Ram-leela. Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted 80 days but I couldn’t manage it because my dates were with Dharma. I had no choice but to let go off these two films.”

 Ungli’s release was delayed because its music wasn’t ready and it was the waiting period, which frustrated Angad. “Can you imagine my state my mind? I was in emotional turmoil. My parents don’t come from this background so they couldn’t help me. I became temperamental during this phase. I started having mood swings. I don’t have such traits in me. My father sat me down and told me this is my biggest test and I have to clear it with patience. Every day I would wake up and didn’t know what to do. It was disturbing. I didn’t go to my parents in Delhi during this period. They didn’t deserve my mood swings.” He continues, “I was at peace once Rensil spoke to me. He instilled the faith I was looking for.”

It was not just Rensil who was by Angad’s side during the waiting period. His friends were his support system. “Yuvraj Singh is my closest friend. I’ve chewed his brains in the last two years. Even he says, ‘Tune meri jaan kha li hai.’ I’d made a habit of going to him just to rant. He’s been my strongest support in Mumbai. He understands what I’ve gone through. The best part is that we grew up together, before I got into films. We speak to each other in Punjabi. We train at the same gym, which is owned by Zaheer Khan. We discuss films and cricket in equal measure.”

Though the film’s delay dampened Angad’s spirits, it was nothing compared to the highs he got while shooting the film. “I’ve been a fan of only two people – Sanjay Dutt and Amitabh Bachchan. I was an admirer of Sanjay Dutt’s hair, his walk and attitude. I loved Mr Bachchan’s run and brood. I wanted to be between these two. I remember seeing Sanjay Dutt in a black suit at the Khalnayak premiere in Delhi. Since that day I dreamt of working with him. And when the day actually came, I was on cloud nine. So much so that I changed a scene wherein he was supposed to shake hands with me to him giving me a hug. It was the biggest high I got. He was so nice to me. We spoke in Punjabi too.” He continues, “A mere two days’ were left to shoot when his incarceration was announced. He was on the set when news came in. He had come in happy but when he got to know about the verdict, he went silent. To see him like that was heartbreaking. He asked the court for some time and finished his portions. The film wouldn’t have released without completing his part.”

He recalls that his meeting Amitabh Bachchan left him speechless too. “I met him on the sets of KBC and the next thing I knew was that he had invited me to his house for a Diwali party. He spoke to me with such fondness and I just kept looking at him. This was my moment. All his movies flashed in front of my eyes when
I was talking to my ultimate hero.”


After Ungli’s release, Angad is in a happy space. With the appreciation for his performance, he feels like his efforts have finally paid off. He says, “Randeep Hooda told me that I’m the first actor who made him feel so comfortable. It was a big compliment. Rensil believes I’m a good actor and so does Karan Johar. Having their faith is the best feeling. These are medals much bigger than any man of the match award.” Spoken like a champ!