Actor Brijendra Kala has turned writer with his first commercial film, Pariwarik ManuRanjan, starring Pankaj Tripathi and Aditi Rao Hydari, and he reveals that this is a result of a four-decade-long process of honing his craft. A protégé of the legendary writer Achala Nagar, whom he calls his “soul guru,” he says, “I assisted her in writing on many of her films, and she even paid me. I even used to live in her home.”

The actor reveals that filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar gave him a line to develop a story for the family entertainer, and he also features in it.

Brijendra shares that he started writing in his radio and theatre days. “In the late ’80s, I adapted Hari Shankar Parsai’s story Matadin Chaand Par into a play where I acted and directed it,” he informs, adding that he also penned a TV script for actor-filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia, wrote episodes for Ektaa R Kapoor’s Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, scripted some portions of Kill Dil (2014) and the 2020 film Sab Kushal Mangal.

As a writer, he feels that “content is very important but writers don’t get the respect they deserve.” He says, “There should be less interference – from big stars and commercial forces.”

So, is direction up next for him? “I have been in discussions for new concepts, and after this more stories will happen. Also, I would like to direct something and show a world from my perspective. With God’s grace, after becoming a part of successful big films like Raid 2 and Sitaare Zameen Par, it has given me the power to choose the best work. Leading makers are making (date) adjustments for me. A lot of films will be released soon. So, acting ki dukan badiya chal raha hai,” he responds.