Destiny's child : Sikander Agarwal

Neil Mukesh (TOI Photo) More picsSikander is happy nursing dreams of meeting Shah Rukh Khan one day
He is destiny’s child. How else does one describe the fate of a boy who comes from Bokaro, gets spotted by a German director on the streets of Kolkata, makes his debut in an international film that impresses Sudhir Mishra so much so that he traces him to cast him in the title role of his next Hindi film? Meet Sikander Agarwal, who made his debut in Florian Gallenberger’s Shadows of Time and is now shooting for Tera Kya
Hoga Johnny in Mumbai.
Talking about his brush with tinselville, Sikander says, I got spotted three days after coming to Kolkata in the bylanes of Sovabazar. I was buying kerosene when Florian came running after me. Scared, I took to my heels. Though I agreed to being photographed, I was petrified to give out my details. Someone even said he was an organ racketeer and would sell my kidneys!
That scared me so much that I gave up all ambitions of becoming an actor. It was my uncle who drilled some sense into me. Even on the sets when I didn’t find my co-actor, I’d think Florian had killed her. I was dead certain that I’d be the next in line, he guffaws.
Little did Sikander know that his role of a carpet weaver in Shadows of Time would draw Mishra’s attention. I wanted someone who looked 15 to play Johnny, a boy who trawls streets of Mumbai
selling coffee. Sikander is a little older but still looks 15, says Mishra reassured. The credit for tracing Sikander goes to casting director Shanoo Sharma.
I wanted to cast Florian opposite Madhuri Dixit in Aaja Nachle. Though things didn’t work out, Florian forwarded me Sikander’s contact details. Production controller Pritam Chowdhury told Shanoo that Sikander had been working as a camera attendant in Kolkata for serials like Bonhishikha, Tamasarekha and Khuje Berai Kachher Manush.
Mumbai life, of course, has been quite exciting for Sikander. Soha Ali Khan, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Karan Nath sobar sathe aalap hoyechhe, he says in halting Bangla. The boy, says Mishra, doesn’t flaunt his international film connection. We’ve rented a place for him. He’s a powerhouse of talent. In this film, I’ll show Mumbai through his eyes, adds Mishra.
So, what’s in store after TKHJ? Will Sikander return to Kolkata? Ami Class X, IInd division, he says, meaning that he has secured a second division in his Board exams. Though Sikander is yet to decide on long-term plans, producer Shahnaab Alam says, Sikander is a very sharp guy. Both Sudhir and I are committed to helping him complete his education.
As of now, Sikander is happy nursing dreams of meeting Shah Rukh Khan one day. I wish to thank so many people, especially my German director. And to think that I actually ran away thinking he’d take my kidneys away! Well, life never ceases to surprises. Sikander couldn’t agree more.