International thespian Pankaj Tiwari creates an art dialogue in Amsterdam

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The actor, who is typecast into similar roles (usually playing the villain), has been in the industry for over a decade. Apart from roles in movies including Partner, Fitoor, and Salaar, he has also been part of many television shows, including Big Boss. Heeramandi’s success has been a huge shot in the arm for the actor, who is now excited by the wealth of opportunities that are pouring in from across industries. 

A Bombaywallah 

Jason calls growing up in Bombay an unusual experience full of fond memories. “My father is a Kutchi-Jain, while my mother is a British citizen, so I grew up in extremely cosmopolitan surroundings. The city in the 90s was so different—we just used to hang out at Marine Drive, and there was a lot of liberty to explore. Bombay, being a port city, has so much to offer—the best of food, culture, and experiences.” 

Exposed to a lot of classical movies like Ben Hur and Sound of Music, thanks to his father (entrepreneur Kantilal Shah), who was very worldly and well-traveled, Jason had a cosmopolitan upbringing that put him at ease both at parties and making friends with his Nepali staff. 

[caption id="attachment_51947" align="aligncenter" width="614"] Jason Shah[/caption]

Acting grew on him, owing to the multiple experiences he has had. He states, “My father was socially conscious and always took us out to help people. In a sense, I was always in front of people, which gave me the confidence to get in front of people.” 

Having spent a few years working for his year, Jason also pursued his dream of playing cricket for a short while training in Australia but soon realized that his calling was in front of the camera. 

Movie magic

His initiation into movies was very straightforward. Having acted in commercials, he attended a casting call for the movie Partner, where he was selected in a heartbeat. “I was just a kid back then,” he recalls. “The entire experience was so glamorous. I mean, imagine working with stars like Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in your first major outing. I really cherish working on the film.” 

What followed was a bunch of roles on the small screen where Jason got to understand and explore his craft. Roles in serials like Jhansi Ki Rani and Barrister Babu ensured that he was a familiar face to audiences. Long compared with another British-Indian actor, Tom Alter, his stint on the small screen usually had him playing similar characters who spoke Anglicized Hindi or English. 

It is precisely why acting in Heeramandi was a challenge. “I really had to put in a lot of work to speak Urdu. It is such an evocative language. In English, love conveys a singular meaning. But in Urdu, you can say ishq, pyaar, or mohabbat to showcase the levels of intensity. Emotions are better conveyed in Indian languages.” 

 

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Heeramandi brought him much acclaim. Audiences, confusing him with his character, bombard him with comments saying they hated him, which Jason feels only shows that he was successful in portraying his character. 

Calling the whole experience surreal, he explains, “The massive sets and the big ensemble—it was all an amazing opportunity for me. I must say that while I was shooting, I felt disconnected, as I knew my own role and not the entire story. Also, I did not shoot at a stretch. Added to these constraints was the fact that I did not know anyone on the set. All these helped my character create a distance, and when I see it now, it makes a lot of sense because my character needed that space from the others.”

The world is his oyster

While he has predominantly played the antagonist in his career so far, Jason is ready for a change of scene. He says, “I’m looking for challenging parts. I wouldn’t mind playing a good character once in a while (laugh). I’m not so much concerned with the length of the role as with the impact it can create.” 

While he looks western, Jason is an Indian at heart. He thinks his appearance is only an asset that helps to create a brotherhood wherever he goes, be it in London or New York. 

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he smiles. “In fact, I have fun because Indians, especially abroad, don’t really expect me to speak Hindi, and when I do, it really shocks them. It has gotten me many free dinners and kebabs. Jokes apart, Hindi brings a touch of home to Indians abroad, and whenever I travel, I instantly connect with Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis because of the fact that I speak Hindi.” 

[caption id="attachment_51948" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Jason Shah[/caption]

When not working on movies, Jason likes to relax by playing cricket, traveling, and reading. A very ‘in the moment person’, he prefers to savor the moment rather than clicking selfies incessantly! Sit, watch, and breathe are his mantras. 

What is his focus currently? “There are a lot of interesting roles and projects. There are a couple I’ve been offered, and I’m keen to work on Telugu and Tamil projects too, as they are larger-than-life. I’m excited about what’s about to come. I also hope to play positive characters at times,” he signs off. 

As he looks to the future, Jason remains grounded in his roots and grateful for the journey. With his blend of Western looks and Indian heart, the actor is ready to explore new horizons and leave a lasting impact in the entertainment world. Whether as a beloved hero or a despised villain, one thing is certain: Jason Shah is here to stay, and his journey has only just begun.

bt if the decision positively impacts the poor and the weakest, then it's a good decision.' I knew I was headed in the right direction," says Aakarsh, who has illuminated the lives of 450 street vendors till now with his solar-powered solutions.

The building blocks

Playing with Lego blocks while growing up sparked an interest in architecture for Aakarsh, alongside a natural knack for improving infrastructure. Years later, he enrolled himself in RV College of Architecture on merit. "My tuition fee was paid by the government due to my merit-based seat." However, a turning point occurred during a college event when the chief guest made a thought-provoking remark that struck a chord with Aakarsh. "He said whoever received their education through tax-payers money has a responsibility to give back to the community." This inspired Aakarsh, leading him to start the BePolite initiative which he says is his "way of giving back to the community every Diwali."

However, before realising his dream, he took a flight to the Netherlands to pursue his master's in Urban Management and Development at Erasmus University. Those years proved formative, shaping him into the person he is today, and he credits the flat hierarchy in the Netherlands for it. "Regardless of your position, whether at work or university, everyone values your opinion. They emphasise teamwork and consensus building," he says. While working on projects in solar power space in Europe, a short trip to India made him realise that renewable energy is the need of the hour. "In developed countries, solar power is used more for recreational purposes. We used to power music concerts using solar power, but back home, the same solution could power an entire village."

Giving hope to street vendors

Armed with ideas and enthusiasm, he returned to Bengaluru but soon realised that the solutions needed to be tailored to local needs. For this, he spent three months in a village to understand the problems at the grassroots level. Acknowledging the need for energy access and the growing trend of urbanisation, he saw people moving from rural areas to cities in search of better opportunities. "Most end up becoming street vendors as it's the easiest option. Seeing their challenges, I decided to help by providing them with clean, sustainable lighting solutions that don't have a recurring cost every month associated with gas lights or candles. A solar product would be a good fit to reduce the operational costs every month," explains Aakarsh. Under the BePolite initiative, he started by providing solar lights to street vendors, enabling them to continue their sales even after sunset. What started with lighting eventually became a marketplace with more solutions where he integrated mobile charging and later did a pilot project for refrigeration as well. "There are multiple layers to the initiative. However, sustainability and inclusivity are the keywords that govern the entire initiative."

How it began

Growing up, Diwali was a traumatic time for Aakarsh who had asthma. "I would urge people to not burst crackers but it often fell on deaf ears. Soon I realised until you offer an alternative, you are not solving the issue. That's how the idea of gifting a light on Diwali came up." It was during Diwali 2018 that BePolite (portable light) did their pilot project in Bengaluru and soon started getting inquiries from Tier 2 cities expressing their interest in solar lights. "Initially, the lights were provided free of cost but now we charge 10 percent from the vendors. The light costs ₹3000 and we charge ₹500 from the vendors, which comes with a one-year warranty," informs Aakarsh who turned to crowdfunding for raising funds. "It removes the inhibition of asking somebody to fund the initiative. Moreover, it helps reach out to a larger audience. In just a week, we raised ₹3 lakh."

So, what sets their solar light apart from others available in the market? Akarsh highlights the superior quality of the light, encased in aluminium for durability. "When the vendors no longer need them, they can still get some scrap value." Made in India, these lights are a little more expensive than their Chinese counterparts and boast a lifespan of three years. After that, they can be sent for servicing and refurbishing, thus extending their usability. "This way we also save them from reaching the landfill at an early stage," says Aakarsh, who is piloting a powered umbrella this year which serves a dual purpose. "Keeping in mind the heatwave, vendors can use the umbrella for shade during the day, and the light can be used during the night."

Expanding its reach

Consistency is paramount for Aakarsh, irrespective of the quantum of the output. "Even if we are reaching out to 10-20 vendors every year, it's equally critical as we are staying consistent and making things happen," says the man who supplied lights to Dell last year for a CSR initiative, distributing them to tribal students in the forest areas outside Bengaluru. Till now, they have distributed solar lights in Tamil Nadu, Kolkata, and Karnataka. "In Chennai, we gave the lights to fish vendors at Marina Beach."

Aakarsh is happy that the BePolite initiative has brought dignity to the lives of street vendors, as he now observes an increased level of trust between street vendors and customers due to better quality of lighting. "Now the customers believe that the products sold to them are of good quality. Moreover, many vendors send the light to their kids in villages during their exams, thus prioritising the use of the light according to their convenience," says Aakarsh.

Each year around Diwali, the BePolite initiative takes centre stage, sometimes extending up to Christmas, depending on the interest. Aakarsh plans to draw the government's attention to the necessity of providing basic infrastructure to street vendors. "The ultimate goal is to switch towards vending zones. It can also become a platform of positive giving where people gift items to the needy - be it an umbrella or blanket," signs off Aakarsh.

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