Aamir Dalvi is earning praise for his performance as the prime antagonist in Kennedy. In an exclusive conversation with Midday, the actor opened up about the film’s long journey, its festival acclaim, and his experience working with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap.
Aamir Dalvi reacts to the long wait to premiere
Reflecting on the delayed release, Aamir said, “The wait has certainly been long, but like they say in Hindi, sabr ka phal meetha hota hai. It’s worth it, it’s worth all the wait.” Highlighting the film’s prestigious premiere, he added, “We opened at the Cannes Film Festival. What better an opening could an artist and a film ask for? So, that’s where it all started.” After travelling to multiple festivals and receiving recognition, he feels confident about its homecoming. “It’s been a long journey to get here to the audiences, but I’m sure the audience will really appreciate the wait and appreciate the kind of film that has been made.”
Speaking about his first collaboration with Kashyap, Aamir admitted to being overwhelmed. “Day one was like how every actor goes through being nervous, working with such a director of that caliber and fame.” He described the adrenaline rush and uncertainty: “You’re nervous, you’re scared, you don’t know what to do, whether you will get scolded.” Recalling a memorable moment after his first shot, he shared, “He literally came limping out and just blew a flying kiss. And he was like, ‘f**k you, turn the scene around.’ So, yeah, that was like the biggest moment for me.” After that, he said, “Everything just changed. I got into my comfort zone.”
Aamir Dalvi detailed Kashyap`s unconventional methods
Aamir praised Kashyap’s unconventional approach. “He doesn’t want you to act. And that’s what I love. He’s like, just be it.” He explained, “The reason he will cast you is because you are somewhere very similar or close to the character.” The director offers freedom within boundaries. “He gives you a lot of liberty,” Aamir said, adding that initially he was confused: “There are no instructions given, nothing being told. I’m just being told, come from there and say your line. I’m like, what do I do?”
Kashyap’s spontaneity impressed him. “He doesn’t believe in giving the scripts to the actor. He’d explain a scene and tell you to do it in your own language.” The atmosphere, he said, feels organic. “You don’t come in with a set mindset. He creates that atmosphere which is so beautiful for an actor because he lets you live.” Summing up the experience, Aamir shared, “There’s a different rush. There’s a different freshness and everything happens very spontaneously.”