A Barry John protege, actor Hemwant Tiwari says theatre experience helps one understand characters better and admits that it aided him in his film career, which started with the short movie "Zindagi Bahut Khoobsurat Hai".
Analysing the benefits of theatre-experience, Hemwant said: "It helps a lot. In theatre, you exercise and you learn how to play that character well. It helps you to get under the character's skin."
The 26-year-old has been part of many theatre productions like director Asif Ali Beig's "The Diamond Story", "Kennedy Bridge" which was directed by Khalid Mohammed and he teamed up with Mahesh Dattani for his play "The Alchemist".
Praising advances in the theatre industry, he said it is certainly looking up.
"It is advancing a lot. People are showing interest. Producers and financiers are showing interest. I am also doing projects, which are good. Theatre is making its own mark now," Hemwant told IANS.
Talking about his guru, he said when he decided to take the plunge into acting and shift base to Mumbai, joining Barry John's acting classes was his top-of-mind concern, among other things.
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"When I was in Delhi, I was very clear in my head that the moment I would land in Mumbai, I would do my acting course with Barry John. It was a knowledgeable experience. I learned a lot. Being my guru, I learned a lot from him," he said.
As far as films go, after short film "Zindagi Bahut Khoobsurat Hai", which was screened at the Cannes film festival this year, he has two more films in his kitty.
Talking about "Zindagi Bahut Khoobsurat Hai", he said the experience was "wonderful". "I enjoyed shooting for the film and after getting the news that it's getting screened at Cannes, I was overjoyed... so all the hard work paid off," added the actor, who could not make it to the festival as his father fell ill.
What about the two feature films he is reported to be acting in?
"Both of the films have been shot outside India. These are the only things which I can reveal now," he said.