SPECIAL INTERVIEW
The title of your film was changed from Athithi in London to Guest Iin London. Why?
Yes. We had some title right problem and had to change the title of the film though the scenario is completely different.
You had played a rustic villager in Atithi Kab Jaoge. How has your character shaped in Guest Iin London?
He is quite a semi-middle class person who is reasonably educated and comes to stay in a family in London with his wife (played by Tanvi Azmi). His family comprises of Kaartik Aryan and Kriti Kharbanda.
The earlier one starred Ajay Devgn and Konkana Sen Sharma. How was it this time round?
Kaartik Aryan and Kriti were so good that I hardly ever missed the presence of Ajay and Konkana though it would have been great if they were a part of this one too. Ajay is a great friend of mine and I am a huge fan of Konkana too.
How is it like working with director Ashwini Dheer?
He is a writer of the film as well and knows exactly what the scenes to be shot were and was very clear in his mind and hence it was a very great experience to work under his directorial baton.
Reportedly you guided Kaartik a lot.
Yes. But only to see the various sights of London and not to guide him in acting as he is an accomplished actor himself.
You have done all genres of roles. Which one do you like to enact?
I see the script and my character and then do the film which I am offered. Some films I do for creative satisfaction and some I do for monetary benefits to run the kitchen. But I don’t run down those roles I do for money but only feel bad when a film I had envisaged as a real good film doesn’t turn out the way I had visualized it.
What about your real life guests at home?
I don’t entertain much and whenever someone drops in I make it clear that I don’t have much time for him or her. I will give him or her tea and drop him or her till the door. That’s all I do. I don’t like to chamchofy producers or directors by inviting them home nor do I go to parties and hang out with drinks in my glass and plates of food. I Iike to stay at home and read.
Which are your best roles till date?
Sardar Patel, Tamanna, Sir, Mumbai Meri Jaan and Road to Sangam.
Who would you consider as your best friend in the industry?
There are so many. I have many friends and no enemies but I respect Mahesh Bhattsaab a lot and always take his advice. Amongst the actors, I respect the work of Naseerji and the late Om Puriji .
Any role that you would have liked to play but went to someone else?
Anyday, I would love to play Mahatma Gandhi.
Who among your contemporaries do you like the most?
I admire the Khans- Salman, Shah Rukh and especially Aamir Khan who is a complete package and is a sure shot draw at the box office and audiences know that if it’s an Aamir Khan film then definitely it will be a good film as Aamir has gained this kind of a reputation after a lot of serious hard work.
The Gujarati film industry is going through a revival. Will you do Gujarati films?
Yes. It is my mother tongue and there is so much good literature in Gujarati to film and I am considering a few scripts to make in Gujarati.
“There is so much good literature in Gujarati to film and I am considering a few scripts to make in Gujarati.”
Is it true that you will be doing the Gujarati remake of Natasamrat?
No. It’s not true at all. There are no plans as such now.
We are all waiting for your bio-pic on Narendra Modi.
Yes. My team is working on it and the complete script will be locked soon. I am working on my get up and mannerisms to enact the iconic role. I have got such a fantastic role after my bio pic on Sardar Patel .
We hear you are a big fan of Modiji.
Yes. He is a fantastic leader and done so much for the country. He is a workaholic and after meetings he doesn’t waste time in trifle talks but immediately gets immersed in his office work.
Wasn’t the demonetization drive of his a big flop?
Not at all. People stood up in queues and there were no riots at all, as envisaged by a few leaders and it has helped the country to weed out unaccounted money which can be used for the development of the country.
As a Lok Sabha M.P, what do you think of the proceedings in Lok Sabha?
I only hope that we do not fight against each other and think of the betterment of the country and not minor or trivial issues and rake up controversies. We should think of our soldiers who are guarding our borders and losing lives almost every day. We should think about the families of such soldiers who are fighting to keep us safe. They are the real heroes.
There was a huge controversy about Arundhati Roy and you.
She started it by saying that the North Eastern states are being occupied by India and it was a comment I couldn’t stand. I can’t bear to see anyone speaking against the interests of the country. I have substantial proof that she made such comments and retaliated against me
Will you continue acting in theater?
Yes. Theater is my passion and I will continue to do it. I like to visit my old haunts like Bhaidas Hall and perform there just like the old times.
What kind of shows do you like to watch?
I like to see humane dramas, like the ones which are being shown on Zindagi channel.If you do not see me on TV these days, it is because I am not being offered anything creatively satisfying.
Any plans of turning a director?
I am considering a few scripts will soon announce a film. I have yet to decide whether I will try my hand at directing a film in Hindi or Gujarati. It all depends on the kind of subject that I lay my hands on
