Dream, dream, dreamz
A mechanical engineer by qualification and an actor by profession! Rishi Deepak, a popular face in the Kiwi Entertainment Industry gets candid with Indian Weekender. The charismatic young heartthrob tells us about his love for cinema and acting.
When did you start acting?
Acting was my passion from early childhood; I wanted to become an actor. I used to get fascinated by the movies I would see. I got serious about acting when I was 14. Initially I starred in a Kashmiri soap, Detective Karan, Anmol Rishte and few other TV serials. It gave me exposure as an actor in small roles, and it is there that I realised the importance of every character in a story.
What was your 1st break?
I was already doing TV shows back in India and when I moved to New Zealand in 2006, I auditioned at Dreamz Production and got selected for their TV show called Bollywood Hungama. Bollywood Hungama was a show about songs and cinema news and gossip; I was the host and it was my first break into the entertainment industry in New Zealand.
What was your turning point?
I think moving from television to movies was my first turning point here. As an actor I needed to evolve with my performance and try new things. In 2011, my first film ‘Mr Singh Wants PR’ came out and I played one of the three parallel leads in the film. It was a small budget film and it was screened at the Sydney Film Festival.
Did you do get any formal training in acting?
I did a 2 year course in acting from Studio 111, I completed 4 level course in 2008 simultaneously to my TV shows here. Since I have been acting from a very young age, I have been learning more from observing actors, watching movies and of course directors have moulded me into the roles I was cast in. Every film has been a learning process for me.
Tell us about your journey this far.
The journey as an actor has been like a roller coaster ride. It has tested my patience at times but my hard work paid off eventually. After my first film ‘Urban Turban’ in which I played the role of a Sikh, then came ‘Highway to Suva’ I played the role of a Fijian, in ‘Ek Ka Do Aur Dhoka Ek’ I was cast in a negative character. So far I have been able to do a diverse range of roles in my films. I am a partner at Dreamz Production now and with their upcoming film ‘Twisted Families’ that will hit the theatres this year, I have taken a new role as an Executive Producer. As an EP you learn every tiny aspect of movie making; from getting the funds, casting, being behind the camera and see the director’s point of view, post production etc. which is once again amazing.
Who do you idolize in acting?
I look up to Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan for the way they have evolved and done their films. They are an inspiration to not just me but millions around the world.
What fascinates you about acting?
Acting is like living hundreds of lives in one life. You step into the shoes of different people from various walks of life; you perceive different feelings every time you undertake a new role.
What are the Projects you have done so far?
I have done around 1250 episodes of different TV shows like Bollywood Hungama, Star Buzz, Kaun Banega Superstar etc. that were telecast on Sky TV (Face TV), 4 Indian films in Fiji and NZ, the shooting for two more films will start soon and two Bollywood films are in the pipeline. I have done commercials for Lotto, ANZ Bank, Nintendo and Auckland Transport Accident Prevention.
How has been the support from family and friends?
My family has always been a big support to my career choices, obviously they hesitated initially but now they are very happy for me. Here in New Zealand, Devesh Singh and Dr Rachel Singh from Dreamz Production have been instrumental in building my career, they gave me the first break into NZ TV industry and are more than my family today.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I want to do more diverse roles in the future, no plans on donning the director’s hat for the next 10 years. I want to keep working as an actor till I die, I know I will fall but I will rise again and keep working to make my art perfect.
A mechanical engineer by qualification and an actor by profession! Rishi Deepak, a popular face in the Kiwi Entertainment Industry gets candid with Indian Weekender. The charismatic young heartthrob tells us about his love for cinema and acting.
When did you start acting?
Acting was my passion...
A mechanical engineer by qualification and an actor by profession! Rishi Deepak, a popular face in the Kiwi Entertainment Industry gets candid with Indian Weekender. The charismatic young heartthrob tells us about his love for cinema and acting.
When did you start acting?
Acting was my passion from early childhood; I wanted to become an actor. I used to get fascinated by the movies I would see. I got serious about acting when I was 14. Initially I starred in a Kashmiri soap, Detective Karan, Anmol Rishte and few other TV serials. It gave me exposure as an actor in small roles, and it is there that I realised the importance of every character in a story.
What was your 1st break?
I was already doing TV shows back in India and when I moved to New Zealand in 2006, I auditioned at Dreamz Production and got selected for their TV show called Bollywood Hungama. Bollywood Hungama was a show about songs and cinema news and gossip; I was the host and it was my first break into the entertainment industry in New Zealand.
What was your turning point?
I think moving from television to movies was my first turning point here. As an actor I needed to evolve with my performance and try new things. In 2011, my first film ‘Mr Singh Wants PR’ came out and I played one of the three parallel leads in the film. It was a small budget film and it was screened at the Sydney Film Festival.
Did you do get any formal training in acting?
I did a 2 year course in acting from Studio 111, I completed 4 level course in 2008 simultaneously to my TV shows here. Since I have been acting from a very young age, I have been learning more from observing actors, watching movies and of course directors have moulded me into the roles I was cast in. Every film has been a learning process for me.
Tell us about your journey this far.
The journey as an actor has been like a roller coaster ride. It has tested my patience at times but my hard work paid off eventually. After my first film ‘Urban Turban’ in which I played the role of a Sikh, then came ‘Highway to Suva’ I played the role of a Fijian, in ‘Ek Ka Do Aur Dhoka Ek’ I was cast in a negative character. So far I have been able to do a diverse range of roles in my films. I am a partner at Dreamz Production now and with their upcoming film ‘Twisted Families’ that will hit the theatres this year, I have taken a new role as an Executive Producer. As an EP you learn every tiny aspect of movie making; from getting the funds, casting, being behind the camera and see the director’s point of view, post production etc. which is once again amazing.
Who do you idolize in acting?
I look up to Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan for the way they have evolved and done their films. They are an inspiration to not just me but millions around the world.
What fascinates you about acting?
Acting is like living hundreds of lives in one life. You step into the shoes of different people from various walks of life; you perceive different feelings every time you undertake a new role.
What are the Projects you have done so far?
I have done around 1250 episodes of different TV shows like Bollywood Hungama, Star Buzz, Kaun Banega Superstar etc. that were telecast on Sky TV (Face TV), 4 Indian films in Fiji and NZ, the shooting for two more films will start soon and two Bollywood films are in the pipeline. I have done commercials for Lotto, ANZ Bank, Nintendo and Auckland Transport Accident Prevention.
How has been the support from family and friends?
My family has always been a big support to my career choices, obviously they hesitated initially but now they are very happy for me. Here in New Zealand, Devesh Singh and Dr Rachel Singh from Dreamz Production have been instrumental in building my career, they gave me the first break into NZ TV industry and are more than my family today.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I want to do more diverse roles in the future, no plans on donning the director’s hat for the next 10 years. I want to keep working as an actor till I die, I know I will fall but I will rise again and keep working to make my art perfect.
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