There’s an instant likeability about Meezaan Jafri. He speaks in an unguarded manner and his good looks have a boy-next-door appeal. The young actor who has featured in films like Malaal (a Sanjay Leela Bhansali production), Hungama 2 (Priyadarshan), and Yaariyan 2, was in town to shoot a special lookbook for designer Shantanu Goenka. At lunch break, which comprised biryani from Arsalan followed by mishti doi, the 6ft 1’ Meezaan chatted exclusively with t2 on his career so far, his lessons from his father Jaaved Jaaferi and more.
This is your first time in Calcutta...
I have seen pictures and heard about it and seen the city through films. There are a lot of people from Calcutta who are in Mumbai and are working in the film industry who I ended up working with and I always hear about the food, the people, the ambience. My co-star (in Yaariyan 2), Yash Daasguptaa, used to talk about Calcutta a lot.... Calcutta has a different aesthetic. There are some parts of it that stand out... the yellow cabs, the bridges.... I was staying at (JW) Marriott and from looking out of the window, for a second, I thought I was looking at Dubai.
You are here for a fashion shoot. What’s your personal style?
All my life, it’s been checked shirts or well-fitted shirts and jeans and Jordans. The outfit should not take over me. If I have a good body, personality, physique and height, then let that come out. I think people try too hard to put something together when they go out, but I can just go out in a black shirt and blue jeans and I am fine.
Meezaan looked smart in this midnight-blue velvet bandhgala embroidered with beadwork and thread, paired with fitted black trousers
Has your wardrobe changed after you became an actor?
There are things that have been added to the wardrobe. Yes, I do have to think 10 times before I go out because I know someone or the other somewhere might take a picture. When you get into this profession, you have to be ready. I miss those days when I could just put on shorts and chappals and go to the market. Even if I am going to the market now, it has to be boots, jeans and a shirt.
I have started wearing a lot more T-shirts now. Also, I feel T-shirts make you look younger. I feel my audience is the youngsters. To cater to that audience, how am I being relatable to them? It could be something as simple as my Jordans or a band T-shirt or a Rick and Morty cartoon T-shirt.... Today, the spectrum has become so broad. I don’t think people know what they like and what they truly want. The attention span has gone down and you are looking at things on your phone constantly. So, you are aware of it, but you are not locked in. I also take a step back from social media because of the same reason. I don’t want to lose myself in the process.
Your father Jaaved Jaaferi almost looks like your brother! He hasn’t aged...
People do say that. I think it has got to do with his lifestyle. He is very disciplined, sleeps early, wakes up early, no smoking, no drinking. And I think it’s a body type which has been passed on. It makes us look much younger and leaner. And, at the end of the day, the idea is to not take stress and be calm and relaxed. I think of my prayers as my source of meditation. That keeps me grounded.
Are you spiritual?
Yeah, I am spiritual. I got it from my parents, still a long way to go, but you have to start somewhere. My brother who is eight years younger than me is way ahead of everyone. I am slowly getting into it now.
Tell us a bit about your growing-up years...
My whole life while growing up was only films; being on the sets of Boogie Woogie (a popular dance reality show). That’s what helped me become an actor and get better at my craft. My mom used to send food with me. I used to go sit with my dad on the sets, subconsciously observing, never knowing one day, I’ll become an actor.
We love the hint of festive cheer in this asymmetrical Dhakai kurta worn with an embroidered resham-work bundi
I have always wanted to pursue music and sports. But then it just happened to be so (that I got into films). I think it’s all destiny and luck. The things that I really tried to control didn’t work out at all. So, I think you’ll just have to really go with the flow and see wherever life takes you, giving everything you do 100 per cent. I try to do things to the best of my abilities but accept it if it doesn’t work out. Maybe, something bigger is in store.
Was there a point you knew that you wanted to become an actor?
My dad said to get a degree because it’s an unpredictable industry. I was studying direction and editing and business before that. That’s when I met Sanjay sir (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) and he said he wanted to launch me. It was a golden opportunity. I dropped out after my third year without telling my parents. My dad is upset to date, but you have to trust your instincts too. My gut told me I should come back and start assisting on Padmaavat (directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali) and then I got into my own film (Malaal; 2019) because then I was sure.
Meezaan was a handsome frame in this heavily embroidered ektaar Kashmiri jaal in fine silk threads. Shantanu paired it with a forest green silk jacquard kurta
How was the experience of working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali?
He has taught me so much about how to face the camera and it was a one-on-one acting school. When we were shooting for Padmaavat, he would make me do all the scenes, then shoot me and call me to the monitor to show me what I did right and what I should have done. It was like a masterclass and I tried to make the most of it. I am a quiet person on the sets because I am constantly observing and it is important to be observant and you never know what you are going to use later in life.
Did you train in music?
Never. I picked up the piano and guitar on my own and would sing just by myself. My dad did try to put me into some classes, but I left them halfway through. I am obsessed with music and listen to all kinds of music, from Travis Scott to Ghulam Ali. My younger brother makes music.
What about dance? Did you train with your dad?
Not at all. I can never dance with my father. He will look at me and say 10,000 things... ‘You went wrong here’. (Laughs) My training was done through weddings, birthdays and parties where I just danced for hours. It’s my genes and I would watch a song and know all the steps.
Shantanu Goenka
Coming back to acting, what have these five years been like?
I think it’s just been a warm-up. When I started off, I felt there was a lot I should have done, but today I realise that whatever happened, happened for the best because how I am today as a person or an actor is way different. I think now I have come to a decent understanding of facing the camera or knowing what has to be done, which has made me so confident and comfortable.
Hairstylist: D team, Darshan Yewalekar, Karim Shaikh
Makeup: Rahul Nikam
Location: Shantanu Goenka studio