Age is merely a number for Kabir Bedi. At 80, the veteran actor is busy juggling international and Indian projects while navigating a film industry that has evolved dramatically over the decades.

He shares, “For me, this last year has been one of the busiest I’ve had. I completed an Italian film, a Canadian film, a Bollywood film and a series, all of which will be released this year. I’m thrilled that I’m still a dynamic part of the industry.”

According to Bedi, technology has been the single biggest change over the years. He says, “It has changed the way films are shot, edited, distributed and seen. I’ve seen the journey from single-screen theatres to multiplexes, to video, to the internet, and now streaming platforms. There’s been a complete revolution in how the film industry operates.”

Talking about it further, he shares, “The biggest change I see as an actor is that people are very happy for multiple retakes now. Film used to be expensive and we rehearsed a lot because nobody wanted to waste film stock. With digital, people are far more relaxed about cost, and that has changed the rhythm of shooting.”

Yet, Bedi believes the essence of acting has endured. “The fundamentals remain the same. Interpreting your character with emotion, passion and sincerity, and telling a larger story through that. That hasn’t changed. What has changed dramatically is the price paid to the biggest stars today—it’s increased more than a hundredfold,” he says.

On playing a variety of roles over the years, he says, “By now, I’ve played everything from grandson to grandfather. From hero to villain, from leading roles to supporting roles. I’m still playing leading roles, still playing supporting roles, and if a good villain role comes along, I’m happy to do that too.”

He adds, “I’ve never crossed my annual 60th birthday. I get energy from the fact that I love what I do. I’ve been given a good, sound body by my parents and the universe. I feel wonderful, and I count my blessings.”