When comedian, actor and improv trainer Neville Bharucha first received a call to audition for Aryan Khan’s show The Ba***ds of Bollywood, he almost turned it down. At that time, he was working as a school teacher and wasn’t confident about doing a Hindi web series, but after some convincing, he agreed. And what followed was one of the best auditions he had done, eventually landing him the role of DJ Adam. Though he had a brief screen time, Neville’s performance left a lasting impact. Filmfare caught up with him for a candid chat where he reflected on his journey with the series, from his first encounter with Aryan Khan and working alongside veterans like Manoj Pahwa, to the surreal experience of meeting Shah Rukh Khan.

How did you land an opportunity of working in The Bads Of Bollywood?

I remember getting the call while I was sitting at Bangalore Airport. I initially refused because I was a school teacher at the time, and my Hindi isn’t great, so a web series didn’t seem like the best idea. But the lady on the phone convinced me to go for the audition. I went, and it turned out to be one of the best auditions I’ve ever done. I remember walking out, calling my wife, and telling her, “I think I’m going to get this part.” And sure enough, a month later, I got a call from the same guy who took the audition, who, by the way, did a fantastic job, too.

How was your first meeting with Aryan?The first time I met Aryan was when I had gone to the Red Chillies office for a table read. I entered the building and I rushed toward the elevator, pressed the button, and someone stopped me from getting in until I heard a voice from inside say, “No, no, let him in.” I stepped in, and there he was, Aryan Khan. He greeted me very warmly as if we had known each other for years, exchanged pleasantries, and I was surprised that he already knew quite a bit about me. He’d clearly done his research, and that was the start of something wonderful.

Can you recall any significant moment from the first table read?

The first feeling I had at the table read was, wow, this is probably one of the coolest things I’ve ever been a part of. That table read was truly fascinating. Watching everyone bring their characters to life was incredible. I remember looking down at my script, hearing the others read, and thinking, Oh my god, the talent these guys have. I honestly couldn’t wait to see how it would all translate on screen, and it turned out outstanding. It was such a wonderful feeling, something I’d never experienced before, and honestly, it was just next level.

What kind of brief did you get for your character from Aryan?

The brief for the character was fantastic. Aryan gave me a clear vision and was super open to my interpretation. He described someone irreverent, fun, deeply focused on his music, confident, and a little out there, and I feel I embodied that well. Everyone seemed to respond positively to the role. It was a super fun character to play. In some ways, it was a bit close to me, but also completely different. I would never wear the clothes DJ Adam wore! Still, it was a blast, and they made me look super cool.

What’s the best compliment you have received for your performance?

All compliments are the best. There isn’t one that’s better than another; it’s just really lovely to have people reach out. Friends from school and college, a couple of teachers, even people I’ve only had fleeting interactions with, have messaged to congratulate me. The most annoyingly sweet part, though, is when people click on my Instagram ads for improv classes just to say, “Hey, I don’t want to take your class, just wanted to say congrats on the show.” It’s very kind, but I pay for every click! So essentially, I’m paying Meta for compliments. Appreciate the love but just DM me, ya! Or better yet, sign up for the class. It’s a fun one.

Tell us about your onscreen and off-screen dynamic with Manoj Pahwa, since most of your scenes were with him.

On-screen and off-screen, it was exactly the same fun, full of masti, and just pure chemistry. From day one, the relationship we’ve shared has had so many unspoken moments that come through beautifully on screen. I’ve had the best time shooting with him. He’s such a brilliant actor, there’s so much depth even in the things he doesn’t say. It was truly my absolute pleasure, and honestly, a privilege to work with a veteran like him.

Was there any scene where you broke character or improvised?

For me, comedy comes naturally, so luckily, this wasn’t a very serious character. There was never a moment when I broke character; it all flowed together. A lot of my reactions to the dialogues came instinctively and were probably improvised. Some moments here and there were definitely added on the spot. But that’s the beauty of it, even I, as the actor, can’t always tell what was improvised and what was scripted. It’s all merged seamlessly into one for me.

What kind of a director was Aryan?

Aryan was an incredible director; he has the best facial expressions, so he can always communicate exactly what’s going on in his mind. He’s very open to your interpretation, too, so we’d often try multiple variations of the same scene, which made the process so exciting. He’s always encouraging, always present with his thoughts, and so sharp and thorough that it genuinely inspires you to give your best. Calling him calm would be an understatement; he’s one of the most chilled-out people I’ve worked with. You hear stories about high-pressure sets, but Aryan made everything feel effortless. I was genuinely lucky to have someone like him direct me; I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Did you get to interact with SRK on or off set?

We’ve met a couple of times, and it’s always been surreal. You see, this man is probably the most loved person in the entire world, and yet, when he talks to you, it feels like you’re the only person that matters in that moment. First time at Mannat; it was late, we were about to leave, and he just came up to us and started chatting. When it was time to go, he personally came and saw each of us out and said goodbye individually. He’s the warmest gentleman around, a true testament to what good values and genuine kindness look like. It’s no wonder the entire world loves him. Even when he met my wife at the screening, he was an absolute delight. She was over the moon. Her exact words to me after meeting him were, “Our marriage has finally paid off.”

Tell us something special about the premiere night…

The premiere night was surreal, the kind of thing people dream about. You hear about it, you see it, but when it actually happens to you, it’s a blur. Walking the carpet, meeting all the people you’ve shared the most wonderful times with, seeing your work on the big screen, going on stage, meeting everyone, it was something else entirely. Afterwards, everyone was so gracious and happy to be together; the whole gang was buzzing with joy. As much as it felt like a culmination, it was really just the beginning. The world hadn’t seen the show yet. In short, it was the perfect start to the rollercoaster of the past few weeks.

What’s the one most significant moment or memory that you would take away from the show?

What I really enjoyed was the time on set when everyone was together, me, Lakshya, Raghav (Juyal), Manoj sir, and Anya (Singh). We’d all have lunch together, and it was such a nice hour to decompress, chat, and just hang out. Those moments, where we really got to know each other, are some of the nicest memories I’ve ever had.

Just a lot of improv teaching, tons of kids’ creative writing classes, improv classes, and doing improv shows. We have shows almost every week or every alternate week at The Habitat, which is always amazing because I love performing live and making people laugh. Those shows are a blast. On top of that, I teach weekend improv classes that I run, and just soaking in everything the work has to offer. That’s about it.

Also Read: Manoj Pahwa on The Ba***ds of Bollywood: Aryan Khan Could Have Sat on SRK’s Throne But… Exclusive

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