69 Opposites Attract l 104 l An Actors' Life, Directors' Caution

Enduring top sun during a beach shoot

An actors' life, contrary to the common perception; is very tough! It is because many roles require you to be fit, and I definitely don't mean six-pack abs or a fit body, but I mean fit in terms of your endurance! How long can you stay without water? How long can you stay without food? How long can you be out there in the sun? How long can you stay put in the sea? Are you allergic to dust, sand, rusty buildings? Normally, one would think how does these things matter. A lot. Playing both the roles, as actor and director and doing both, directing other actors as well as acting for other directors, I feel comfort level is a must for an actor, if he or she is to perform well.

I still distinctly remember an actress, I was filming with in 2016. It was a 10-day schedule, one day in the sea and she took ill; thankfully, she was the producer, so it didn't hit me monetarily, but on a creative note, it set me thinking, as a director I have to be more cautious while casting, I added many more questions to be asked to potential actors while casting. I have always maintained work only with cast & crew, you are 100% sure of. A few stray times, I gave my fundamentals a leeway, are the only times that I have been stuck in a limbo.

I would tell both actors & directors as well as the entire crew reading this post, that being fit (six-pack abs is not being fit, many times I have seen six-flab abs doing a much more active work then the 'myth-fit' looking ones who are more of a misfit!) is very important, not only for you, but the producer, director, cast & crew, hiring you or collaborating with you as well. One sick person can jeopardize the entire shoot!