Ashutosh Gowariker says that acting today feels more open than when he started out in cinema. The actor-filmmaker, who returns to Hindi cinema with ‘System’, said he once felt pressured to look like the ‘protagonist’ and fit a fixed screen image. She finds the process more liberating now that she can focus on the role instead of having to play only her hairstyle, appearance or positive characters.
About the pressure of actor Ashutosh Gowariker
Indian Express reported through an exclusive SCREEN interview that Gowariker spoke about his acting comeback, his early years and the changes he sees in the industry. “When I was younger, there was always pressure, it was imperative that you try to be a hero and be that positive character, and look and be a certain way on screen. Today, it is liberating. You don’t have to worry about the hairstyle. Now I love it,” she said.Gowariker also looked back on the attention the actors paid to their hair before a shot. “I’m sure girls still have to do that. I don’t have to,” she added.The filmmaker started as an actor before moving behind the camera. She made her acting debut with Aamir Khan in Ketan Mehta’s ‘Holi’ in 1984. She later appeared with Shah Rukh Khan in ‘Circus’ and ‘Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa’. As a director, he made films like ‘Lagaan’, ‘Swades’ and ‘Jodhaa Akbar’.
Ashutosh returns with the Gowariker System
Gowariker said that the management demanded his undivided attention and took him away from acting. “When you’re directing a movie, it’s such a demanding movie that you can’t focus on anything else. You just have to focus on that. I always wanted to act, but I never had the time,” he said.He returned to acting with the Marathi film ‘Ventilator’ while ‘Mohenjo Daro’ was in post-production. “So Ventilator came at a time when Mohenjo Daro was in post-production, and I could give it the time I needed,” he said.His role in ‘System’ came after Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari met him at a party at IFFI Goa in 2024. “He said, ‘Hey, Mr. Ashu! I want to cast you in my movie!’ I said, ‘Done, I’m doing it.'”Gowariker is also producing new works, including the docuseries ‘Temple Raiders’, and planning his next epic film.
