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[Vic]

A deaf and mute youth as a lead actor in a film? It sounds unreal since this has probably never happened in India's 94-year-old film industry.

But in a forthcoming Kannada movie, Snehanjali , 25-year-old Dhruv, congenitally impaired of speech and hearing abilities, has pulled off the unimaginable feat of acting in a lead role. Dhruv has lip-synced dialogues and songs with such ease and dexterity that viewers fail to realise that he has never spoken or heard a sound in his entire life.

Born and brought up in Bangalore, Dhruv is son of businessman-actor Suresh Sharma. His is a story of fight against severe adversities. He was pulled out of college as he was finding it difficult to follow the lectures. But, what made him stand out was his oodles of confidence and the determination to succeed.

After completing a couple of computer courses, Dhruv played cricket and represented India in the Deaf Cricket World Cup in 2005. Over time, however, he grew interested in acting, a career that took off more than a year ago when he accompanied his father to a dubbing studio. He was awe struck by the fact that voices actually have to be dubbed for the screen and are not recorded at the place of shooting.

"If lip-syncing is all that one has to do to go on screen, I wondered why I, too, couldn't do it," Dhruv informed in sign language. At that time there were not many - including his father, Suresh - willing to believe that Dhruv would be able to pull it off.

"I brushed it off as a joke. I kept discouraging him, but he insisted he could do it. My friend, film producer Siddaramu, was struck by Dhruv's logic and he told me that my son is handsome and can make a good-looking hero. When I was asked why we couldn't try, I felt he could," Suresh said.

The star cast, including veteran Anant Nag and Anju Varma, was astounded when it learnt about his impairment. Many in the film industry scoffed at the idea of casting such a challenged youth as a film's hero. The only other disabled actor Kannada film industry had seen was late Balakrishna who had hearing problem.

"On the first day of the shooting, I was scared and confused. But, gradually things started falling in place and co-stars began to accept the reality. My father used to explain me the scene the previous night and I would prepare myself for the next day," Dhruv said.

The cast and crew have two reasons to admire him - his power to understand what others say and his sense of timing with regard to dialogue-delivery. Said Sharma,"My biggest fear was the song sequence as it involves lyrics which need perfect lip movements, but Dhruv has carried it off well."

Leading Kannada film producer Parvathamma Rajkumar, who saw the songs, was floored by Dhruv's performance. Dhruv has performed a few breathtaking stunts himself. The film, a romance, is slated for release this June-end and it's targetted at the youth. Though trailers are being shown on TV channels, Dhruv does not display starry airs.

A great fan of late Rajkumar and Amitabh Bachchan, Druv said,"I don't want to be a great hero, I just want to tell the world that my disability cannot stop me from becoming one. There are lakhs of disabled youth. I want to tell them that victory comes when one is confident and works towards achieving it instead of cursing themselves and everyone around."

While awaiting the release of his film, the best compliment Dhruv has received so far has been from actor Om Puri. On seeing clippings of his movie on Dhruv's mobile phone during a chance meeting recently, Puri wrote in his autograph: "Dhruv Sharma, it was a great feeling meeting you. Though nature has been harsh on you, you have challenged nature. You have kept your spirit high. You are a great inspiration to millions of people with limitations. I salute your great spirit."


Source: Times of India, Bangalore

_________________
Vikas

AccessAbility

A deaf and mute youth as a lead actor in a film? It sounds unreal since this has probably never happened in India's 94-year-old film industry.

But in a forthcoming Kannada movie, Snehanjali , 25-year-old Dhruv, congenitally impaired of speech and hearing abilities, has pulled off the unimaginable feat of acting in a lead role. Dhruv has lip-synced dialogues and songs with such ease and dexterity that viewers fail to realise that he has never spoken or heard a sound in his entire life.

Born and brought up in Bangalore, Dhruv is son of businessman-actor Suresh Sharma. His is a story of fight against severe adversities. He was pulled out of college as he was finding it difficult to follow the lectures. But, what made him stand out was his oodles of confidence and the determination to succeed.

After completing a couple of computer courses, Dhruv played cricket and represented India in the Deaf Cricket World Cup in 2005. Over time, however, he grew interested in acting, a career that took off more than a year ago when he accompanied his father to a dubbing studio. He was awe struck by the fact that voices actually have to be dubbed for the screen and are not recorded at the place of shooting.

"If lip-syncing is all that one has to do to go on screen, I wondered why I, too, couldn't do it," Dhruv informed in sign language. At that time there were not many - including his father, Suresh - willing to believe that Dhruv would be able to pull it off.

"I brushed it off as a joke. I kept discouraging him, but he insisted he could do it. My friend, film producer Siddaramu, was struck by Dhruv's logic and he told me that my son is handsome and can make a good-looking hero. When I was asked why we couldn't try, I felt he could," Suresh said.

The star cast, including veteran Anant Nag and Anju Varma, was astounded when it learnt about his impairment. Many in the film industry scoffed at the idea of casting such a challenged youth as a film's hero. The only other disabled actor Kannada film industry had seen was late Balakrishna who had hearing problem.

"On the first day of the shooting, I was scared and confused. But, gradually things started falling in place and co-stars began to accept the reality. My father used to explain me the scene the previous night and I would prepare myself for the next day," Dhruv said.

The cast and crew have two reasons to admire him - his power to understand what others say and his sense of timing with regard to dialogue-delivery. Said Sharma,"My biggest fear was the song sequence as it involves lyrics which need perfect lip movements, but Dhruv has carried it off well."

Leading Kannada film producer Parvathamma Rajkumar, who saw the songs, was floored by Dhruv's performance. Dhruv has performed a few breathtaking stunts himself. The film, a romance, is slated for release this June-end and it's targetted at the youth. Though trailers are being shown on TV channels, Dhruv does not display starry airs.

A great fan of late Rajkumar and Amitabh Bachchan, Druv said,"I don't want to be a great hero, I just want to tell the world that my disability cannot stop me from becoming one. There are lakhs of disabled youth. I want to tell them that victory comes when one is confident and works towards achieving it instead of cursing themselves and everyone around."

While awaiting the release of his film, the best compliment Dhruv has received so far has been from actor Om Puri. On seeing clippings of his movie on Dhruv's mobile phone during a chance meeting recently, Puri wrote in his autograph: "Dhruv Sharma, it was a great feeling meeting you. Though nature has been harsh on you, you have challenged nature. You have kept your spirit high. You are a great inspiration to millions of people with limitations. I salute your great spirit."


Source: Times of India, Bangalore

_________________
Vikas

AccessAbility

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[Shivani]

The only word that comes to mind presently is 'wow!!'

wishing Dhruv a very bright future.

Shivani

The only word that comes to mind presently is 'wow!!'

wishing Dhruv a very bright future.

Shivani

[THOMASJACOB]

Yes, I just read about Dhruv yesterday in the Times of India.

The grit and determination with which he overcame all odds to perform his role in the films is noteworthy.

He is a shining example for other hard of hrering and speech impaired individuals.

My best wishes for Dhruv.

May God continue to bless him in all his endeavors.

Each one of us must remember the maxim - Tough times dont last but tough people do

Warm Regards
Thomas

Yes, I just read about Dhruv yesterday in the Times of India.

The grit and determination with which he overcame all odds to perform his role in the films is noteworthy.

He is a shining example for other hard of hrering and speech impaired individuals.

My best wishes for Dhruv.

May God continue to bless him in all his endeavors.

Each one of us must remember the maxim - Tough times dont last but tough people do

Warm Regards
Thomas