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Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; April 9, 2015)

Manish Paul, who is shooting for Katha remake is trying to imbibe Farooq Sheikh’s mannerisms for the role. The actor has watched Katha innumerable times since he landed the role. “I even watched Chashme Baddoor several times to learn something from the legendary actor. His comic timing and the ease with which he delivered his dialogue is amazing, but in those days nobody made a brouhaha over it. They just considered it their job and did it brilliantly,” says Manish who got the opporutnity to meet the actor a few months before he passed away. “I had won the best debut actor award for Mickey Virus and was giving an interview when I saw Farooqwalking towards me. I left the interview mid-way, went to him and touched his feet because he is senior to me. Farooq complimented me for my work and said I have a good future. That was the first and last time I met him,” recalls Manish.

Ironically, it was after Farooq’s demise that Manish got the offer to play the actor’s role in the Katha remake. “It was uncanny, but I felt I had his blessings to play this role,” says the actor. He, however, is clear that he cannot really step into the latter’s shoes and is not even trying to. “Initially, I did ask myself if I should be like him, but I knew it was not possible. Also, we have changed a few things to keep up with the times and I am playing the role to the best of my ability,” says Manish.