I Love Odisha and Jagannath Temple, Says Jineet Rath

I Love Odisha and Jagannath Temple, Says Jineet Rath

Getting into Bollywood is not easy but for 13-year-old Jineeth Rath, it is a child’s play. Well, almost. The boy, who originally hails from Puri, was seen sharing screen with Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in “Tiger Zinda Hai” in which he played the character of Hasan. Apart from “Bhaijaan,” Jineeth has acted with Aamir Khan in the film “Talaash.” He was the screen son of Mr Perfectionist in the thriller.

The teenager, who lives with his parents at Maker Tower, Cuffe Parade in Mumbai, has played young versions of some of the big stars. In Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Guzaarish”, he played junior Hrithik Roshan. Jineeth also played the young Ritesh Deshmukh in “Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai”, junior Shahid Kapoor in ‘Phata Poster Nikla Hero” and the kid Imran Khan in ‘Mere Brother ki Dulhan”.That apart, he also played Prabhu Deva’s son in Varun Dhawan and Shradhha Kapoor starrer ‘ABCD-2’ and acted with Himesh Reshammiya in ‘Radio’. Not only in Bollywood, this little wonder has also spread his magic in Hollywood where he acted in 2011 Oscar nominated film “DAM 999” that won the Los Angeles Award in 2011. His father Ravi Shankar Rath works in the Oxford University Press at Mumbai while his mother is a house wife. His elder sister is also a child actor in Bollywood.

MCL caught up with him to know more about his recent movie and his journey as a child actor. Excerpts

How did it all start?

I was born in Mumbai, and when I was only 5 months old, I was offered the Huggies Diaper ad and even today Huggies retains my chirpy and bubbly face on their large size wraps. Then the journey started and till now I have done more than 400 ads besides 15 Bollywood movies, six Hindi mega serials, one Hollywood movie and five short films.

In your latest film, ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’, you have worked with big stars like Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. Tell us about the experience.

It was an amazing experience. It was quite hot in the Middle East when we were shooting but I had great fun because the entire team including Director Ali Abbass Zafar, Salman and Katrina were very much friendly with me. Another good experience for me was travelling to beautiful places like Greece, Morocco and Austria for shooting.Did you have fun on the sets of ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’?

I have had many memorable moments. I enjoyed surfing in the sea with Katrina in Morocco. We visited the Ferrari world, Water Park and many other places, so it was great fun all the while.

You have worked in many other Bollywood films. Which has been the most memorable one for you and why?

I have worked with almost every single actor who happens to be in the limelight today but for me, my debut film ‘Guzaarish’ was most memorable. As a newcomer and a child actor, I was apprehensive about how I would manage working with such great stars but everyone treated me so well that, I feel wherever I am today, has been because of the support I received in the initial stages. Do you want to continue acting when you grow up? If not acting, then which profession would you want to choose?

Yes, I will definitely continue acting. But I might pursue a job too and keep acting as a hobby. I have not decided about it yet but I will always be dedicated towards academics like I am now and will choose my profession accordingly.

From all the actors you have worked with, who is your favourite?

Salman Khan is my favourite because I had been shooting with him for quite a long time for the movie ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’. I used to play with him a lot on the sets, roaming around new places. He has been nice to me.

How do you manage between academics and acting?

I mostly go for shooting after school but when the shooting is at a location outside the country or at some far off places, my Principal, who has been very supportive, grants me leave for a few days. I am also very thankful to my teachers who have always given me extra classes whenever needed.Apart from acting, what other hobbies do you have?

I love to skate, swim and sing. I am also equally fond of athletics and horse riding.How does your family support you?

My sister is the biggest support for me. Usually my dad goes to office and my mother accompanies me to the shoot, my sister has to do all her the work by herself after her school but she would never complain. I am blessed to have a sister like her. My father and mother also support me a lot. I can remember how while shooting in the Middle East, it used to be very hot and my mother was waiting patiently for me in the heat. Rather, she used to give me ice packs after every five minutes.Jineet with his sister Kenisha Rath

Your sister Kenisha Rath is also a child actor. She has worked in some movies and Hindi serials too. Tell us more about her.

Yes, she has done more than 75 ads including 20 ads with me, nine TV serials for channels like Star Plus and Sony. In the popular serial of Star Plus ‘Veera’, she played the character of Aishwariya. She has also acted in three movies including two with me in ‘Radio’ and in ‘DAM 999’.

Since you belong to an Odia family, have you ever watched an Odia film?

Although I know Odia, speak and understand it very well, I have never watched an Odia film. I was born and brought up in Mumbai. I have been too busy with my studies and shooting and have never had the opportunity to watch an Odia film.Jineet with his mother

Would you ever want to work in Ollywood?

I have got a few offers from Ollywood but I was not comfortable with them. Now I am excessively busy here and have no time to do an Odia film, at least, not in the immediate future.

What message would you want to give kids who like acting like you and to all those who love you back home?

For kids like me who want to act but have not got an opportunity so far, I just want to tell them that the time will come for sure. They need to have the patience. As far as Odisha is concerned, I love my state though I haven’t visited it too often. My grandfather lives in Bhubaneswar and my maternal grandfather lives in Athagarh, so I have visited these places. I have also visited the Jagannath temple twice and loved the experience.