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'Avunu was like writing an exam'

Harshvardhan Rane (popularly known as Harsh)is slowly carving a niche for himself in films.

His Naa Ishtam, which released in March this year may not have fared as expected, but his short film Infinity, which went viral on the Internet, attracted quite a bit of attention.

Harsh's latest release is Avunu, directed by Ravi Babu. In this interview Harsh talks all about Avunu, a supernatural horror film, and the experience of working in it

Signing Avunu

The first thing Ravi Babu asked when we met was, did I watch horror movies? I told him it took me years to get over Ram Gopal Varma's Raat!

Then he narrated the story and we had a discussion. When I came to know that it was a Suresh Productions film, I called Bhumikaji.

She said I could sign it with my eyes closed. I asked Rana too as I was working with him on Naa Ishtam. He said of course I could. That is how I signed Avunu.

'My character has a different way of portraying fear'

Preparation for the role

Since there was a month and a half left for the shoot, I asked Ravi Sir if he wanted me to do a workshop, or work on my body language, or develop any mannerisms, etc. He told me, 'Just come to the set'.

Most of the time people will give you references on what to see, what to do, but he said he would tell me what he wanted from me.

The fear factor in the film

During the narration of the film, I was told the film had a different way of portraying fear.

There's no face (of the ghost) or any bloodshed. Even the little boy conversing with the dead was justified medically.

Also, we were not shooting in a kabristan (graveyard) for us to feel scared. It was not the typical stuff. We shot in a house so there was no fear as such.

'I didn't speak to the people on the sets'

Approaching the role

I act initially as the husband, a software guy and later as a possessed guy.

The contrast was interesting—from a simple guy to the possessed one. From something subtle to doing something that stands out. It was exciting.

I don't naturally have the body language of a software guy. I started with the walk and the way the hands move. The tricky part was when the character gets possessed.

I had so many references in my head for that bit. Sonu Sood's role in Arundhati came to my mind. I asked Ravi Babu to tell me what the ghost looked like, his age, style, body language etc.

It was a total challenge. I had to play it in a not-too-subtle manner, be comic or loud. I didn't speak to the people on the sets. I didn't want the human touch. I remained in formal wear and I didn't use the phone on the set.

Sharing space with Poorna

Poorna is my senior having done Tamil, Malayalam and one Telugu film before this one. She is a strong personality, one of the strongest heroines we have.

I'm impressed by her physical strength; she was banged on the table during the climax and she withstood it!

'I was spoon-fed by the director'

Working with Ravi Babu

I haven't worked much but working with Ravi Sir is like working with the top three directors namely, Ravi Babu, Barry John and Saurabh (the last two in theatre).

Ravi Sir can break things down from molecules to atoms to even further. He can logically satisfy you.

The name Ravi Babu meant a lot and it's like a certificate i have got now.

Experience of doing Avunu

I was spoon-fed by the director. Any passionate actor, if he is spoon-fed, will deliver. For anything nice written about me, the credit should go to Ravi Babu.

Once, I went on with the shot for three to four minutes, and the director didn't say cut. After a few minutes he laughed and said I wanted to see what you do. The film was more like an exam.

The film is to be dubbed in Tamil shortly.

'I got a call from Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Ram Leela'

On Infinity – the short film

Infinity is being shown throughout the country with Shamiana (a short films club). It's been a big thing. The online medium is powerful and we are getting nice feedback and attention.

Future projects

I got a call from Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Ram Leela. We discussed it and the role was of the main villain.

The schedule of 90 days was spread over eight-nine months. I had to turn it down as I want to stay here (in Hyderabad). I love the kind of work happening here.