5 minutes with Gurfateh Pirzada

His performance in the Kiara Advani-starrer, Guilty brought him into the limelight as his acting chops, even as a negative character were appreciated. Gurfateh Pirzada was recently seen in Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra, alongside a power-packed star-cast. And recently, he joined the enviable bandwagon of Karan Johar’s Dharma Cornerstone Agency! 

In a conversation with Cosmo India, Pirzada spoke about becoming an actor, relationships and his personal style.  

Cosmo: What were you doing right before this call?

Gurfateh Pirzada: “I just woke up and I am a little jet-lagged because I returned from the US this morning.” 

C: What does a regular day in your life look like?

GP: “My day usually starts with me prepping for a film that I am working on. I also sift through various scripts, and audition for roles if required. My evenings are reserved for the gym, and post-workout, I like to spend time with my family and my dog, Berlin. However, the one thing I do religiously, every day, is watching a new movie. I like to observe other actors’ performances...it helps me hone my craft.”

C: Did you always want to be an actor?

GP: “You know, it’s funny... If a few years ago, someone had told me that I’d be an actor one day, I wouldn’t have believed them. I participated in a theatre production in the 12th grade—I didn’t want to study, and it was the perfect way to skip classes. But by the time the production came to an end, I knew that I wanted to pursue acting.”

C: How did you bag your first role?

GP: “It was certainly not easy. Right after my schooling finished, my family moved to Canada, and my dream to become an actor took a backseat. I took up menial jobs there—I worked at a meat shop and then at an auto repair centre—but after a few months, it was clear to me that I could only be an actor and do nothing else. I convinced my family to move to Mumbai in 2014, and things started falling into place. I vividly remember my first audition...it was a disaster. Someone on set told my mother, ‘Isse nahi ho paayega’ [he won’t be able to make it]. But I didn’t give up and took up an acting course. And after a few years of consistently working on my craft, and auditioning for a tonne of films, I bagged my first role in Brahmastra. By then, Guilty was also in works.”

C: Who has been the biggest influence in your life?

GP: “My mother—she’s a real fighter. She had very little emotional and financial support, but she managed to raise my sister and me against all odds. My mum always pushed us to follow our dreams, and I’ll be eternally grateful to her for her support.”

C: What is your biggest pet peeve?

GP: “I often have friends over at my place and once they leave, I go on a cleaning spree. I can’t stand a messy room.”

C: How would you describe your personal style?

GP: “If I had to define it in a word, it would be relaxed. I feel confident when I’m comfortable with what I’m wearing. You’ll often see me in a pair of ripped jeans paired with a T-shirt—it’s my go-to look because it’s fuss-free.” 

C: What’s the most prized possession in your wardrobe?

GP: “My Jordon sneakers.”

C: And is there something on your wishlist?

GP: “I cannot wait to get my hands on the sneakers from the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 collaboration.”

C: What qualities would you want in a partner?

GP: “It’s amazing when you meet someone who is incredibly understanding and gets your world—an actor’s life is not always glitz and glamour. There are days when you don’t want to leave your room because you want to be alone; if your partner gets that, then you are lucky.”

C: On that note, are you dating anyone currently?

GP: “No, I am not.”

C: Lastly, which shows and movies will we be seeing you in, soon?

GP: “Brahmastra just released a few weeks ago, and post that I have a Netflix show releasing this December. Then there is Bedhadak with Shanaya [Kapoor] and Lakshya [Lalwani], and I will also begin shooting for an untitled project.”