Showing posts with label Nathuram Godse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nathuram Godse. Show all posts
Narayanrao was lynched after Gandhiji’s murder; 8,000 Brahmins were lynched in Maharashtra-Randeep Hooda
10:25 AM
Randeep Hooda plays Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in his directorial debut, and hopes the thriller will shed new light on the much-maligned nationalist
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; March 10, 2024)
If you thought Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi were antagonists, given that the former was accused of playing a part in the latter’s assassination plot, actor Randeep Hooda will tell you differently. “They had completely different ways of going about it, but their end goal was the same: Akhand Bharat,” he says.
“In fact, when Savarkar was in Kala Pani [Cellular Jail], it was Gandhiji who advised his brother, Narayanrao, about how to draft the bail plea.” It has been claimed that Savarkar swore allegiance to the British if he was released.
Hooda plays the controversial man in his directorial debut, Swatantra Veer Savarkar (due to release on March 22), and is now a veritable expert on his life, likes, dislikes, and ideologies. “But this movie is not a history lesson,” he laughs, “It’s supposed to be entertaining as well.”
The “anti-propaganda film”, as he calls it, is a retelling of Savarkar’s life. The intellectual-writer developed the nationalist political ideology Hindutva in Ratnagiri in 1922, and was a leading figure in the Hindu Mahasabha. He was also sentenced to two life-terms at Kala Pani (after he was found guilty of supplying the pistol used to assassinate the then collector of Nasik, AMT Jackson, in 1909) and composed 6,000 poems when incarcerated. His book, The Indian War of Independence, about the first war for freedom in 1857, was banned before it came out.
However, members of the Hindu Mahasabha turned against him when he distanced himself from Nathuram Godse and others accused of playing a part in Gandhi’s assassination plot during their trial. Though Godse had claimed full responsibility for the assassination, court approver Digambar Badge had said that Godse had a meeting with Savarkar before the assassination, where Savarkar told them all, “Yashasvi houn ya (be successful and return)”.
He was branded a traitor and coward, and though the Bharatiya Janata Party has tried to rebrand him as “Veer”, the nasty names continue to follow him around. We meet Hooda in Juhu, and he is in good spirits, wanting to delve deep into Savarkar’s psyche. Excerpts from an interview
What was your first introduction to Savarkar?
I think Kala Pani and Savarkar were synonymous for me when I was a child. When I started digging deep, I found there was so much missing from the public domain. I wondered why it has been swept under the carpet. My well-wishers told me, “Why are you getting into this? Why become political? You are an artiste”. I replied, “His story needs to be told, whatever it takes.” The kind of name-calling that happens in his name is unjustified. I just pursued the goal to correct that wrong with all sincerity. I ended up co-writing the film and directed it as well. It’s taken me two years of only thinking about Savarkar. I have put everything on the line—emotionally, monetarily, physically. And I’m so grateful people will know his special story.
What was the research involved?
I read books in English, Hindi; spoke to Maharashtrian filmmakers and historians who have written about him. I read about him and I read what he wrote. He is such a profound writer... People have just heard things through “WhatsApp university”, and keep calling him maafiveer (apologist). He was not that. He was just 26, and sentenced to serve two life terms. He went to Kala Pani in 1911 and the date of his release was 1960—he would have been 76! He used to keep writing bail pleas, but they were too flowery. Then Gandhiji asked him to keep it short, and that’s how he got out. Narayanrao was lynched after Gandhiji’s murder—8,000 Brahmins were lynched in Maharashtra. So much for non-violence. People don’t know about most of this.
He had a complicated relationship with Gandhi...
They had opposing ideologies, and both were very stubborn. They met three times—in 1907 at London’s India House; and once at a restaurant on Vijay Dashmi, and gave speeches together. Then in 1927, Gandhi visited him in Ratnagiri when he was placed under house arrest. They started at opposite ends, but met in the centre united by one purpose: A united India. But both of them were not part of the government, much like revolutionaries all over the world. Revolutionaries fight; politicians take control.
Was Savarkar less about religion, and more about nation?
Yes. Till 1920, everyone was one. In 1920, a caliphate movement started in Rae Bareli. Many Muslim leaders thought that India was a sultanate when the British came, and that it should go back to being a sultanate when they left. They didn’t want to be a part of the Congress’ democratic process, where they were a minority. To get them involved, Gandhiji became president of the Khilafat Movement, and there on began the process of appeasement. They were given more seats, and electorates.
This irked Savarkar. He came up with the Hindutva philosophy in response: he held that everyone who lived in the region between the Indus river to the sea, were Hindus. Whatever caste, religion, or community, as long as you love Hind, you are a Hindu. This angers people, but that’s a geographical definition. He said anybody who calls the land between the river and the sea the home of their ancestors, are Hindus.
Are the movie, and you, defending Savarkar?
I hope it does, but that’s not its purpose. I have made it as a thriller; it will enthrall you. It’s for young people. I have laid out the facts; I don’t call him veer, you will have to decide if he was one.
What did you learn the most by playing Savarkar?
Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed (by any and all means)—that’s what he believed in. It’s what I have used to make this movie and get it released. One should do whatever it takes once one has decided the purpose of his life. And also, “Dushman ko kiye hue vaade nibhaaye nahin jaate”.
What do you want people to take away when they leave the halls?
That there is a bias in the telling of our history; documentation has been very one-sided. Also, you will get entertained and learn more about the freedom struggle than what’s available at first look.
Nathuram Godse’s speech in court was a reference point-Chinmay Mandlekar
8:57 AM
Chinmay says he relied on script and available material on Nathuram to prep for the role in Gandhi-Godse: Ek Yudh
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; January 26, 2023)
For Chinmay Mandlekar, Gandhi Godse - Ek Yudh came out of the blue. He remembers being surprised when told that Rajkumar Santoshi wanted to meet him. Recounting his meeting, the actor says, “Raj ji asked where I came from and what I have done previously. After about 15 minutes of our chat, he asked, ‘Will you do it?’ Seeing my surprised look, he said, ‘I’m making Gandhi-Godse, and I want you to play Nathuram Godse.’”
The drama, starring Deepak Antani as Mahatma Gandhi, presents an alternate reality where the leader meets Godse after surviving the assassination attempt. While the film was to initially roll in 2020 summer, it kicked off only in September that year due to the pandemic. Santoshi is known to be fastidious about his research, more so when dealing with an intense subject that examines the ideological conflict between Gandhi and Godse.
Mandlekar — who was recently seen in The Kashmir Files (2022) — says that while the script was their guiding light, adequate prep preceded the filming. “There is a lot of debate [about the movie]. But the dialogues aren’t coming from Deepak ji or me. [Most of the dialogues used] have been said or written by Gandhi ji and Godse at some point in their lives. The main focus was to internalise those lines. For me, another reference point was Godse’s speech in court, which is now in public domain. It is about an hour long, and explains his psyche.”
During the trailer launch, Santoshi had revealed that he barred the lead actors from interacting with each other during the shoot, to maintain their on-screen conflict.
When asked about the director’s diktat, Mandlekar says, “That was only when Raj ji was around. Deepak ji is so sweet, you can’t not be friends with him.”
Injustice was meted out to both Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse-Rajkumar Santoshi
9:05 AM
Returning to the movies after a sabbatical that wasn’t his own doing, Rajkumar Santoshi takes on a bold subject where the Mahatma lives to listen to his assassin
Jane Borges (MID-DAY; January 22, 2023)
In an industry where you’re only as good as your last film, a near 10-year hiatus can be construed as damaging. Director-screenwriter Rajkumar Santoshi who has given Bollywood fans delicious fodder to last a lifetime, thanks to cult films like Ghayal, Andaz Apna Apna and The Legend of Bhagat Singh, is well aware of this. His last film, the Shahid Kapoor-starrer Phata Poster Nikhla Hero, released in 2013, “but this break wasn’t a conscious decision. It was forced upon me,” clarifies Santoshi in an interview to mid-day.
“I have been working all this while…writing and researching for Battle of Saragarhi, which had Randeep Hooda in the lead [the film was shelved after Dharma Productions announced Akshay Kumar’s Kesari, which followed the events of the same battle]. Unfortunately, things didn’t pan out the way I would have liked,” he says, adding, “Most production houses that I reached out to, only had one question—‘Star kaun hain?’ For me, content is king. The only time I made an exception was for Amit ji [Amitabh Bachchan]. And that’s because I am a great admirer of his work. Khakee was made keeping him in mind.”
Santoshi stuck to his guns. His new film, Gandhi Godse - Ek Yudh, which releases on Republic Day, and is already in the thick of a controversy, stars non-filmy theatre talent, Deepak Antani and Chinmay Mandlekar, in the lead.
“A couple of years ago, my writer friend Asghar Wajahat saab gave me a script of his play to read for feedback. It imagined a conversation between Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse [his assassin]. He wasn’t even thinking about making a film. But I was so moved by it, I knew it deserved a larger life. I started working on the screenplay, while Asghar saab and I wrote the dialogues.”
He didn’t sign on stars because he wanted theatre actors with some resemblance with the lead characters. “It was also a conscious decision to have a Gujarati actor [Deepak] to play Gandhi and a Marathi hero as Godse.”
The subject is historical fiction, which imagines a situation where the Mahatma survives the attack on him and later meets Godse in prison. Their conversation leads to a fiery debate. Santoshi says that while the story is fictional, it’s based on facts and rigorous research. “My strong belief is that a lot of allegations were made against Gandhiji. Similarly, Godse was labelled a terrorist. I empathize with both. Gandhiji was shot and never got a platform to explain or respond to his naysayers, while Godse’s voice was suppressed… the arguments he made in his defence were not made public until recently. I think injustice was meted out to both of them. This film gives them a platform to talk,” he says.
The film, the shoot for which began just a little before the pandemic, has braved lockdowns, restrictions and repeated delays. When the trailer was released earlier this month, it triggered fresh controversy, with many, including the Mahatma’s great grandson claiming that it “glorified a murderer”. In the prevailing environment, where jingoism is at its peak, and choosing sides either make you a nationalist or anti, Santoshi says he’d rather stick to objective storytelling.
“Gandhiji was a fearless man, the only weapon he carried was ‘truth’. Godse was equally fearless—he knew the consequences of his actions. So, when I am attempting a film like this, I can’t afford to be worried about what someone says. My conscience is clear. I want to be fair to both the characters,” he insists, adding that the Censor Board gave him a Universal certificate, after two screenings.
“After clearing it once, the board decided to send it for revision, because of the names involved. They all had only good things to say. I didn’t get a single complaint. Isn’t this proof enough that the film is non-controversial?”
As for those who are objecting to the film, he requests that they see the film, before coming to conclusions. “You can’t judge a film based on the trailer. Everybody is so restless… they are looking for an opportunity to create noise and news. The trailer is meant to make people inquisitive, not agitated,” he urges.
Incidentally, Gandhi was the inspiration behind two of his previous films, Damini (1993) and Ghatak (1996). “In fact, in Damini there’s a quote of Gandhi as well. He has inspired both Indian and world leaders. Who am I to criticize Gandhiji?”
I sympathize with both Gandhi and Godse-Rajkumar Santoshi
8:24 AM
Gandhi-Godse: Ek Yudh director says film explores conflicting ideologies of Mahatma and his assassin
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; January 12, 2023)
How would the course of history change if Mahatma Gandhi had survived the assassination attempt? With Gandhi Godse - Ek Yudh, filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi explores this alternate reality. The period drama imagines the Mahatma meeting Nathuram Godse in prison after his failed assassination attempt, thus exploring the conflicting ideologies of the two men.
Tell him that such a subject demands a balanced approach, and Santoshi says, “I sympathize with both Gandhi and Godse. As much credit as Gandhi got, he also faced allegations. To date, people ask why he couldn’t be more assertive about saving Bhagat Singh from the death sentence. Similarly, during his trial after killing Gandhi, Godse gave a statement in court, which was curbed for decades. Until recently, no one knew what he had said. I feel that was unjust to him. People should know what he had to say in his defense. The idea behind this film is to give a platform to Godse to express his viewpoint, and also to Gandhi to respond to the allegations. We are presenting both sides without being partial to anyone.”
Does he worry about irking certain sections of the population with the movie? “When people saw that I had Asghar Wajahat writing for me, they accused me of being a Leftist. I’m not siding with any ideology. I have made this film with honesty.”
The drama sees him return to direction almost a decade after Phata Poster Nikhla Hero (2013). Rumours were rife that Rajkummar Rao was initially considered for the film, which has been fronted by Chinmay Mandlekar and Deepak Antani. The director, however, clarifies, “I have always worked with stars. But I was clear that I didn’t want stars for this film. For Godse, I wanted a Maharashtrian actor who could speak Marathi lines organically. I opted for a Gujarati actor to play Gandhi.”
The January 26 release will lock horns with Pathaan, but Santoshi is unperturbed about the clash. “Our initial plan was to release it on October 2, but the film wasn’t ready then. January 30 marks Gandhi ji’s death anniversary, so we chose [the closest window].”
CM Uddhav Thackeray urged to ban release of Why I Killed Gandhi
8:22 AM
Prafulla Marpakwar (THE TIMES OF INDIA; January 25, 2022)
Mumbai: State Congress president Nana Patole on Monday urged CM Uddhav Thackeray to ban release of the film, ‘Why I Killed Gandhi’, slated for release on January 30.
“Nathuram Godse assassinated Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, 1948. Now, Godse’s supporters have selected the same date to release the film. It must be banned. It should be ensured that it is not released in any cinema house nor on the OTT platform,” Patole said in a letter to the CM.
Patole pointed out that the world observes January 30 as non-violence day and that Gandhi promoted the concept of non-violence and truth throughout life. “Unfortunately anti-Gandhi people are releasing the film on his death anniversary; Congress will not allow it. We are against glorification of such events. I was planning to personally call on the CM, but due to his ill-health, I sent a letter,” he said.
Sharad Pawar defends NCP MP’s role as Nathuram Godse in film
9:42 PM
Mumbai: Facing flak for playing Nathuram Godse in an upcoming film, NCP MP Amol Kolhe on Friday said he never endorsed the views and actions of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, while NCP chief Sharad Pawar said Kolhe needed to be seen as an actor. Pawar added Kolhe was not with NCP when he played the role. The film was shot in 2017, while Kolhe joined NCP later.
NCP minister Jitendra Awhad had targeted Kolhe over the issue, and BJP had sought to know the actor-turned-MP’s “exact stand on Godse. ”
Kolhe, MP from Shirur who was earlier with Shiv Sena, issued a video message on Friday. “It seems many people have got hurt because of my role as Godse in the Hindi movie 'Why I Killed Gandhi'. I have never endorsed the act of Godse or his views against Mahatma Gandhi,” he said.
Explaining the circumstances behind accepting the role, he said after playing Chhatrapati Shivaji in a TV serial, he wanted to play Chhatrapati Sambhaji on TV or in a film. Kolhe, who is an MBBS graduate, said he received an offer for a serial on Sambhaji, but the shooting got stalled after so me days.
Around this time, in 2017, he got the offer to play Godse in the film directed by Ashok Tyagi, he said. Actors like late Nilu Phule or Pran played negative roles in films but in real life they were progressive, Kolhe said. “I repeat that I do not endorse the ideology or views of Godse,” he said, adding he did not even promote the film.
“In 2017, as an actor it was my need to get a role in films. It should be understood in that context,” he said.
State Congress president Nana Patole on Friday said his party will not tolerate glorification of Gandhi’s assassin and added it would have been better if Kolhe had avoided playing the role. Patole said though Kolhe is an artiste, he is also MP of a party and is expected to act more responsibly.
State BJP chief Chandrakant Patil said Kolhe should clarify his “exact stand on Godse and his views”, because his leader Sharad Pawar did not approve of Godse’s views. “BJP is totally against Godse and his actions,” Patil added.
Earlier, Awhad had said that even if Kolhe had played Godse in his capacity as actor, “it is indeed an endorsement of Godse’s views.”
Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil had defended Kolhe.
Rajkumar Santoshi to launch daughter in his period drama, Gandhi vs Godse
8:24 AM
Tanisha is Janhvi Kapoor’s childhood friend
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; September 18, 2021)
Another industry kid is set to make her big-screen debut. Rajkumar Santoshi will launch daughter Tanisha in his directorial venture, Gandhi vs Godse, a period drama based on noted writer Asghar Wajahat’s play, Godse@Gandhi.com.
Wajahat’s play delves upon cultural assimilation, communal issues, democracy and development. Set in a fictional world where Mahatma Gandhi survives the January 30, 1948 attack by Nathuram Godse, the play sees him in conversation with Godse, who is held in prison. Bapu is keen to hear his opinion. The play establishes that through dialogue, a lot can be achieved.
Santoshi, who is keeping the project under wraps, shot for it in Bhopal and Mumbai. He has appointed a bunch of theatre-actors to play various crucial roles related to the freedom movement. Cast-members include newcomer Anuj Saini, who is cast opposite Tanisha. She plays a youngster who meets Gandhi.
Santoshi tells mid-day, “I am travelling, and am currently in Chennai. I do not want to talk about the project right now. The film is in post-production and I plan to unveil it next month.”
The filmmaker confirmed that Tanisha is part of the project and has an “interesting role in a film whose subject is equally interesting. I will spell out more details after October 1.” It is learnt that he is keen to announce the film on Gandhi Jayanti. A R Rahman is set to score the music.
Santoshi’s last directorial venture was the Shahid Kapoor and lleana D’Cruz-starrer Phata Poster Nikhla Hero (2013). He has also directed the upcoming film Bad Boy, which marks the debut of Mithun Chakraborty’s son, Namashi, alongside newcomer Amrin Qureshi.
In the current scenario, I know that Killing Mahatma Gandhi will not see the light of day-Sanjay Gupta
8:08 AM
The filmmaker opens up about his film on Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, which is now on the back burner
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; April 10, 2018)
In recent times, several movies have faced obstacles because of the nature of their content. Padmaavat, Aiyaary and Udta Punjab are a few examples of films that landed in trouble prior to release because of the subjects on which they were based. The controversies that these movies courted and the protests that followed have rattled Bollywood filmmakers so much that many have now begun to choose their projects carefully, to avoid running into deeper problems at a later stage.
Director Sanjay Gupta’s case is a classic example. The filmmaker spent close to two years researching on a film, which was based on the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, but was forced to put it in on the back-burner.
When BT met Sanjay and asked him about it, he said, “Our idea was to explore everything that happened around Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, the skeletons that tumbled out and why information on interrogation in the case is classified, even 64 years after it was conducted. It was not about Gandhi ji or Nathuram Godse, my film was titled Killing Mahatma Gandhi.”
Sanjay Gupta added, “The A-list actor whom I had signed to play Nathuram told me, ‘Sanjay, you are so passionate about this project and you will make a good film, but kya isko lagne denge theatre mein? What’s the point of making it?’ After several discussions, we decided to put it on the back burner. So yes, I feel choked and stifled as a creative person, and there is nothing one can do about it.”
He adds, “I’ve spent a few years working on this project. It’s ambitious and close to my heart. My team and I have put tremendous amount of research into it. We were that close to taking it on floors with an A-list actor, which is the reason I didn’t do anything else, all of last year. I was aiming to start this project which I had to drop, after observing what is happening to filmmakers currently. In the current scenario, I know that my project will not see the light of day, but I will make it someday.”
Most celebrities in current times have refrained from openly commenting for or against something that affects a fraternity member. A recent example was Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who didn’t see too many members from the industry voicing their support for him, during the Padmaavat controversy. Sanjay Gupta, who was once extremely vocal on social media, believes that as a member of society and also as a celebrity, saying something is perceived as either you are for the power corridors or against them.
He elaborates, “There’s a reason I try not to voice my opinion anymore. I have almost stopped doing it. I don’t want anything I say to be misconstrued and used against me at some point. I have to look after my interests. I don’t want my kids’ interests to be jeopardised either. So, I have put a gag order on myself for what I speak up for. There are many people like me, I am sure, who practise this. People who have nothing to lose will continue to shoot their mouth off. There’s so much happening in the country that angers me, but what can anyone do? Padmaavat was entirely about Rajput glory and see what it went through… the lack of unity within the fraternity to call out the wrong is what saddens me the most.”
Neither Gandhi nor Godse are shown as heroes in Solar Eclipse: Depth Of Darkness-Govind Namdev
9:51 AM
He has enhanced the impact in a lot of films with his intense performances, mostly negative ones. But Govind Namdev has now started to surprise audiences. He played the role of freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak in the recently released Chaphekar Brothers. And in the upcoming film Solar Eclipse: Depth Of Darkness, he essays 2 roles, one of that of Morarji Desai. In this exclusive chat, Govind Namdev speaks about these 2 films, looks back some of his recent memorable films and also sets the record straight on the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Raees.
Tell us about your experience of playing 2 real life characters – Bal Gangadhar Tilak in the recently released Chaphekar Brothers and Morarji Desai in Solar Eclipse: Depth Of Darkness?
In Solar Eclipse: Depth Of Darkness, actually I am playing 2 characters – one of Morarji Desai and one of Dr Parchure, who was one of the accused of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. When you are playing real life characters, you need to do an in-depth research besides the basic research that we anyways do for all types of roles. People know Tilak and Morarji Desai very well. So we have to be absolutely sure that we don’t portray them in an objectionable manner. Hence I had to study a lot. Thankfully, there was a lot of information available about Lokmanya Tilak. I tried to understand how he used to walk, get up, talk etc. Also, the expressions are very important and to get it right was quite a challenge. It’s time consuming but it gives me lot happiness. Moreover, playing such powerful characters is also a learning experience. It adds to your personality. Your thought process changes. We mostly think of ourselves but when we read about these famous personalities, you realize that one should also contribute to society. Chapekar Brothers and many people of those times used to happily accept death sentence. Khushi khushi sooli pe chadh jaate the. Their love and passion for their motherland used to make me cry. That was the time when even talking against the British Empire used to have disastrous consequences. Yet, these people were never afraid for their lives, served the country and when the time, they embraced death as well.
Solar Eclipse: Depth Of Darkness deals with the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. At a time when some people hail his killer Nathuram Godse as a hero, do you think the film might face problems?
Solar Eclipse: Depth Of Darkness is not a story about Godse or even Gandhiji for that matter. The film is about a situation and it’s the situation that’s the hero here. What was the politics at that time, what were the decisions, how did people react to those decisions etc is what’s the crux of the film. Neither Gandhi nor Godse are shown as heroes in the film. Hence, we are sure that the film will not cause any problems.
Chapekar Brothers faced some issues at the Censors. Do you think Solar Eclipse: Depth Of Darkness might also get butchered similarly?
Again, I don’t really think the film will face any problems with the Censor Board.
When do we see it releasing in India?
The film will release in the West on January 19, 2017 and only then it will see a release in India.
You have done plenty of memorable roles, but most of them were that of the villain. However, you played the role of a conscientious man in Madhur Bhandarkar’s Heroine? How do you look back at that particular role?
Madhur Bhandarkar is a friend. He saw me in that role and asked me if I’d like to play it. Then we had the usual discussions – how to correctly portray the character, how to bring out his moralistic point of view to the fore – and once that was done, I signed on the dotted line. Contrary to beliefs, I don’t think I got stuck in negative roles. I have played a variety of roles. And that’s also one of the reasons why I signed Heroine as it was something different from what I have played in the past. It was a nice experience.
Another memorable role of yours in the recent past has been in OMG Oh My God. Your portrayal of Siddeshwar Maharaj was unanimously loved. There were talks of a sequel to OMG Oh My God. Any update on that?
They just have an idea of the film. It’s been scripted. But chances of it being made are 100%!
You said in an interview that your family members were quite upset since you used to do a lot of villainous roles. Now that they see you doing biopics, has their stand changed?
Yes, it has and they look at it positively. They have also understood that what I am doing is a part of my job. After all, I am just acting. It’s not like I am like the characters I portray on screen. My family members used to argue that I am being looked as a villain – that’s the image that’s being generated. I countered, saying that at the same time, I am also looked as someone who’s doing a good job as an actor!
In the beginning of the interview, you said that essaying characters like Tilak brought a positive change in you. Were you similarly impacted while essaying negative characters?
Impact hota tha par ulta hota tha! Yeh bahut important sawaal tumne pucha hai. By doing the villainous roles, I realized that I was changing. I used to leave all the negativity behind on the film set. And I used to feel very pure when I used to reach home. I used to love my wife more, I used to shower more love on my children! At the same time, I used to wonder what makes a person turn evil? Why did people murder, rape, harm others? You must have also noticed that those who play villains regularly, they were all good-natured in real life. Take Pran for instance. You’ll never hear anything negative about him or his way of working. Same goes for Amrish Puri, Mohan Joshi and Prem Chopra. Ussi kataar mein main bhi khada ho gaya hoon!
There are reports that you are playing Mahira Khan’s father in Raees…
I am not a part of Raees. Maybe, they thought of me for that role. But I am not doing that film. I understand that a lot of articles on Raees mention my name, including on Wikipedia and IMDb. Since, I am not net savvy and not on Twitter, I haven’t been able to clarify about it.
Which other films are you doing?
I am shooting for a film by Lekh Tandon. Manish Tiwari recently started a film and I am a part of it. I have also the upcoming film of Ajay Chandhok.
Your earlier film with Ajay Chandhok, Khallballi: Fun Unlimited didn’t get a release in theatres…
Yes, it didn’t release. It’s a very important and significant flick. Similarly, there’s another film of mine that didn’t release, Dussehra, starring Neil Nitin Mukesh in leading role. It has shaped up very well.
Does it hurt when a film of yours doesn’t get a release as it fails to find a distributor or due to any such reason?
Yes, especially when I have done a good job in a film or when the film is making an important comment. There are some films made just for ‘shauk’ and when such films get stuck, I don’t really feel that bad though!
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