Working with Akshay again on a comedy after an intense Kesari 2 is wonderful: Actor Alexx O'Nell

Q. We have seen a shift in how Indian cinema is referred to in the recent years with the regional industries becoming popular among the audience. How are you planning to swim across the different industries?

A. I have always enjoyed crossing borders, boundaries, and cultural divides. I am so glad to see our contents are doing the same thing, whether it's Hindi, Tamil, Bengali or English. For me, it's just about the story and the people and honestly, it's the same for the audience. So I am really grateful that filmmakers see me as someone who can slip into different worlds, regions and languages. Languages are not easy for me, it's something that I have to work very hard at in order to make sure that I don't detract from the story but allow people to become even more immersed in the story because they don't have to hear me speaking in a language that's not as familiar to them.

In Ae Watan Mere Watan, I spoke predominantly in Hindi. The audience will see me speaking in mostly Bengali in Devi Chowdhurani where I worked very hard to authentically perform in a language that I have never performed in. I am a bit nervous though. But it's my job to adapt.

Alexx O'Nell in Kolkata. Photo: IBNS File

Q. Tell us about your upcoming series Bak Bak where you are set to feature with Divya Dutta.

A. Bak Bak is an intense dark comedy. It's a series on which I worked incredibly hard. My character speaks only Hindi and it was a challenge for me. It was worth it because the content is so captivating.

Q. Your film Phule was embroiled in controversy and very recently, Kesari 2. Do you get affected personally or try to deal with it professionally?

A. I learnt a long ago that controversy is a part and parcel of this business, especially while telling stories that challenge certain perspectives. It's common because any film tells a story from a perspective or a few perspectives but can't cover every possible perspective. So, controversy and people getting offended are inevitable. It does affect me personally at times because I am aware of how much effort goes behind the making of a film.

Phule's release was delayed by two weeks. It apparently doesn't seem much but it has a dampening effect on the film's momentum. From getting new posters printed to ensure slots in the movie halls, a lot goes in between because of the delay. It's not an easy thing. When people get offended, I feel for them, understand that they are hurt or insulted and consider that their perspectives are valid but the film is an opportunity for them to have that conversation on the subject. Unless people watch the film they are objecting to, we are never going to have that conversation.

Alexx with Ananya Panday during Kesari 2. Photo: Alexx O'Nell/Facebook

Phule (based on the lives of Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule) is such an important biography of someone who objectively did amazing things for the people of this country, especially for women and girls. So it hurts when such an important story is held up. L2: Empuraan suffered a similar fate as people were upset over its content, it was pulled from theatres, at least 17 cuts were made before it returned to theatres. There must be conversation if one disputes the perspective. Art is not meant to be censored. I do take it personally but I try to process it in a healthy way.

I ultimately just have to separate from the noise and focus on doing my part, spread the work about the projects, tell people why they are important or entertaining or lovely time pass watch and stay focussed on my craft and what I set out to do and try not to let the controversy affect me.

Q. You mentioned joking with Akshay Kumar about Joker’s run during the shoot of Kesari 2. Is humour your way of navigating the emotional highs and lows that come with this profession?

A. Yeah, absolutely. Humour is essential. This industry by definition is intense because we are often telling very intense stories and we are all human. We can get caught in a story and if it's a particularly dark story like Aarya. Actors need to find moments to laugh or else we will be burnt out. Even though the film didn't do as well as we had hoped, it was wonderful to have worked with Akshay in a comedy.

In Kesari 2, we had some laughs but it was a very serious film and we wanted to keep that serious demeanour while telling such a story which is centred on something like the Jallianwallah Bagh massacre. But it's wonderful to be working with Akshay once again on something less serious in an upcoming project now. I just shot with him in the UK but it was really nice to be working with him on a comedy. He is someone who naturally brings lightness to a set and good jokes, silly moments goes a long way in keeping the vibe positive during shoot, which is anyway stressful.

Alexx with Akshay Kumar. Photo: Alexx O'Nell/Facebook

Q. You also said it's natural to get intimidated by the presence of someone like Mohanlal (with whom Alexx worked in L2: Empuraan) though you are never star-struck. Do you think your foreign origin keeps you insulated from getting star-struck by the Indian superstars?

A. Yes, absolutely. That is my superpower. I didn't grow up watching these stars so there is a certain distance. But obviously when I started working in these industries, I very quickly got to know who these stars were, like Amitabh Bachchan, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, Manoj Bajpayee. But I get to see the human and the performer behind these icons, the actor behind their stardom. So while I might not be starstruck, I am always incredibly respectful towards the dedication, talent and the level to which they reached. I am always glad to be able to meet them as a scene partner, as an actor without being starstruck and be the best possible scene partner to them.

Q. You have worked with some stalwarts like Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, Tabu. How do you as an actor keep yourself away from getting distracted?

A. Honestly, I am still figuring it out. I am happy being on set. I love to be in the centre of all of their energy of people who are at the top of their game, whether that's the DoP or director or co-actors. My secret to not getting distracted is by just observing everything that's happening. I always observe how these stalwarts work with people around them on the set and prepare for a scene.

Often I discuss with my co-actors like Akshay or Tabu- with whom I have worked a number of times- how they want to do their upcoming scenes, give ideas and be receptive to them. It's because I come from a theatre background where the approach is collaborative. When I am on a film set, I am not concerned about what's happening outside of the film set because I want to come up with all good ideas at that moment. So maybe it's the fleeting nature of filmmaking or the seriousness of the moment that keeps me from getting distracted but also could be the love of the process. I love working on a film set and being a part of the creative process.

Alexx with Patralekhaa during Phule. Photo: Alexx O'Nell/Facebook

Q. Are adventure sports your way of detox?

A. Yes. Adventure sports are not just my way of re-calibrating but also gives me something to bring to my work as an actor. It could be skills like motorcycle riding or horseback riding or wrestling or any form of traditional sports like soccer or cricket. It could be specific skills or just the energy that I bring from having been in those exhilarating situations. I arrive on a film set with a different level of energy after undertaking paragliding. I like to feel alive. Motorcycle riding, paragliding, scuba diving does that for me. So beyond just them being great skills that I can do in my films and series, these activities are a way of detox for me.

Q. Your latest Bengali film Pokkhirajer Dim has received quite a number of positive reviews. What are your thoughts?

A. This is a film that I was so happy to be a part of because it's completely different from anything that I have worked on before. The look, story and perspective are different and I am just thrilled by the response. It's a film that I am genuinely proud to be a part of. It's quirky, layered and more than just a children's film. A lot of what I have read from folks online is that the parents are enjoying just as much as the kids are when they go to the theatre together, because it works on a number of different levels.

When I was first approached for the role, I wasn't completely onboard. It took me a few discussions with the director to really understand that he had built this character from the perspective of a very special child to my imagination and so really it was stepping into a completely different character because I have never looked at the world through the eyes of a child like this.

Alexx O'Nell in Kolkata. Photo: IBNS File

Q. How was your reunion with Anirban Bhattacharya despite not sharing screen space once again?

A. It's funny. We keep finding ourselves in the same films but never in the same frame. But this is going to come to an end. We are actually going to appear in the same frame in one of my upcoming films, Raghu Dakat. Anirban is an actor whom I deeply admire. His craft is remarkable. But even if we are not sharing scenes, collaborating on a project together adds the energy which the audience can feel on-screen. We get along quite well and got to know each other much better over our past couple of projects than before but I look forward to being in the frame together.

Q. In the Bengali film circuit, you are set to feature with two superstars- Prosenjit Chatterjee and Dev - this Puja. How excited are you?

A. I am ecstatic and incredibly excited. Both are icons for a really good reason. They are incredibly talented, skilled and their fanbase is massive and so is their passion for telling meaningful stories. It's a privilege to work alongside them and bring my own perspective and background to the table. I am so happy to showcase my work with both Bumba-da (Prosenjit Chatterjee) and Dev for the second time with both this Durga Puja. It's a reunion that doesn't get any better. These two films- Raghu Dakat (with Dev) and Devi Chowdhurani (with Prosenjit)- are phenomenal films in their own rights. It was a privilege to work with these two huge stars and dear friends.

(Photos: IBNS File & Alexx O'Nell/Facebook)